Boom!
A blinding red light burst from Four Arms, reverting Lucian to his human form.
"Grandpa, we have to get out of here!" Lucian glanced back toward Kraab before sprinting their way.
"Awesome, Cuz! You're amazing!" Ben jumped up excitedly.
"Yeah, you just saved this idiot's life," Gwen huffed.
"Alright, that's enough. We need to move, now. Who knows if that crab's still alive?"
Without wasting a second, Grandpa Max led them all back into the Rustbucket and sped off into the distance.
...
The Rustbucket raced down the desert highway like a wild stallion, moving faster and faster. Grandpa Max gripped the steering wheel tightly, the accelerator nearly pressed to the floor.
Amid the constant roar of the engine, Ben scratched his head.
"Grandpa, why are you driving so fast? That crab got smashed into scrap metal by Cuz. There's no way it's catching up!"
Grandpa's expression grew serious. He shook his head.
"No. I'm worried about other pursuers. This watch draws too much attention. It wouldn't surprise me if more big bad guys came after it."
"You're right, Grandpa…" Lucian looked down at the watch on his wrist. The screen glowed red—it was completely drained.
He couldn't transform again yet. The Omnitrix needed time to recharge.
"Let's hope nothing weird shows up before my Cuz's cool watch is done charging," Gwen muttered anxiously.
No sooner had she finished speaking than a heavy thud struck the roof of the Rustbucket, as if something had landed on it.
Lucian immediately looked up, eyes fixed on the ceiling.
"Oh no, don't tell me it's that crab again!" Ben's eyes went wide with panic.
He could still picture the terrifying creature clearly—those razor-sharp claws and deadly red lasers. If Four Arms hadn't been so strong, they wouldn't have made it out alive.
But now, with Lucian's watch still recharging, he couldn't transform into any powerful alien hero. They had no one to stop it.
Sensing danger, Gwen sprang from her seat, raised her hand toward the roof, and began murmuring a spell, ready to strike.
Sparks crackled—
A piercing metallic screech rang out as a red energy saw tore through the roof, slicing open a jagged gap. Two black claws thrust through, ripping the hole wider until a grotesque face came into view.
A dark helmet lined with purple stripes. A lean, wiry frame. Encased in black and purple armor packed with weapons, radiating a suffocating killing intent.
"What is that thing?!" Ben shouted, panic rising. Compared to the crab, this creature didn't seem any weaker.
'SixSix!' Lucian recognized it instantly.
A notorious bounty hunter armed with a deadly array of guns and hidden weapons. One careless move in battle could mean instant death.
"￥%@&#!"
SixSix glanced around, quickly spotting the Omnitrix on Lucian's wrist. It lunged forward, claws reaching for it.
Lucian darted aside, narrowly dodging its grasp. He looked down at the red-screened Omnitrix and gritted his teeth.
"Gwen, hit him with Water Magic and blast him out of here!"
"Got it!" Gwen smirked, pointing upward. "Sorry, no alien hitchhikers allowed."
Whoosh!
A powerful jet of water burst from her fingertip, surging with violent energy. It struck SixSix head-on, launching him off the roof and sending him tumbling across the highway ahead.
"Nice work, Gwen!"
Grandpa Max chuckled, floored the accelerator, and plowed straight through SixSix's body, speeding off into the distance once more.
But after just a short distance, the Rustbucket began jolting violently. Its undercarriage felt oddly light, and the vehicle started swerving out of control.
Grandpa Max froze for a moment, then slowly pulled the car over to the roadside.
Everyone got out to inspect and discovered that the Rustbucket's tire had burst—cleanly sliced open, as if by a sharp blade.
Just then, SixSix flew toward them from not far away, a gleaming lightsaber now in its hand.
"It must have been him who sliced the tire! Let's get out of here!"
Without hesitation, Grandpa led the group running into a nearby mine tunnel.
SixSix cursed under its breath. Flames burst from the thrusters on its back armor, generating fierce propulsion as it rocketed forward in hot pursuit.
The gloomy tunnel was thick with the scent of earth—desolate, ancient, and chillingly silent.
They sprinted at full speed, not daring to slow for even a moment. The air echoed only with their ragged breathing and the frantic rhythm of their footsteps.
Soon, a piercing white light appeared at the tunnel's far end. After a brief hesitation, they dashed toward it.
As sunlight struck their eyes, a sharp pain stung them. Lucian forced his eyes open, finally making out the sight ahead.
A massive mining pit stretched before them, bottomless and pitch-black, terrifying like a demon waiting to devour anything that fell within.
A thick rope spanned the chasm, suspending a small iron cart midway across—likely used by miners to transport ore, providing a narrow path to the other side.
"So high!"
Standing at the edge, Ben looked down into the endless abyss and swallowed hard.
Golden sunlight poured from above, only to be consumed by the pit's darkness—a clear sign of its incredible depth. If someone fell, they'd never make it out.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, the roar of an engine echoed from the tunnel behind them, deafening and menacing.
"Trouble! that guy is catching up."
A sharp glint flashed in Lucian's eyes as he looked up at the iron cart. "Grandpa, take Ben and the others up there! Get to the other side of the mine."
"And what about you, Lucian?" Grandpa raised an eyebrow.
Beep...
The Omnitrix emitted a familiar chime as its red screen flickered and turned bright green, glowing brilliantly.
Lucian's lips curved into a faint smile. "I'm staying behind to deal with those ugly creatures. If you cut the grass... you'd better pull out the roots."
"Cuz, I'll stay and help you." Gwen's eyes shone with determination. "My magic's way stronger now! I even drove that monster back earlier!"
"Me too..." Ben glanced around, grabbed a rusty iron rod, and said, "I'm staying too. It's just another alien freak—watch me knock him out!"
Grandpa Max hesitated for a moment, a thousand thoughts crossing his mind before he finally let out a weary smile.
"In that case, we'll all stay and help Lucian fight the enemy."
A surge of battle spirit rose within Grandpa Max. It had been a long time since he'd felt this alive.
Whoosh!
A slender figure burst from the tunnel entrance, trailed by blazing flames.
"&%￥#@"
SixSix hovered in midair, glaring down at them like a predator.
Boom!
The ground trembled violently as a rust-colored Kraab erupted from below, its body scarred and dented.
"Now let's see where you can run!"
Kraab's eyes burned with fury as it raised its sharp claws, aiming straight for them.
Lucian snorted coldly, switched heroes in an instant, and slammed his hand down on the Omnitrix...