Lucian's dazed mind suddenly snapped clear. In an instant, he leapt backward, putting as much distance as possible between himself and the terrifying Ghostfreak.
"Alright, what's going on now?" Diamondhead groaned, spreading his hands in exasperation. His head was spinning from the chaos.
Even so, he stepped protectively in front of Lucian and the others, standing firm against the sinister Ghostfreak.
"I finally... escaped!"
Bathed in moonlight, Ghostfreak raised his pale claws, the icy wind cutting through the night as his eerie form loomed before them.
Lucian's expression grew tense. Ghostfreak's power was immense—without transforming into a powerful alien, there was no chance of victory. He looked down at the Omnitrix, only to see it glowing red. Transformation was impossible for now.
Grandpa Max frowned deeply as he watched the detached specter. "An Ectonurite... this isn't good."
Gwen shivered, glancing nervously at Lucian. "Cuz, what's going on? Why did Ghostfreak break free?"
"Because Ghostfreak's DNA can develop an independent consciousness," Lucian sighed helplessly.
Ectonurites—naturally malevolent, ghost-like aliens—could regenerate from even a single cell, forming a new consciousness to bring themselves back to life.
Diamondhead snorted coldly, showing not a trace of fear.
"Hey, you ugly ghost! Get back inside where you belong, or I'll make you regret it!"
He pointed directly at the ghastly pale specter.
"Oh? And what exactly are you going to do about it?" Ghostfreak sneered.
Diamondhead crossed his arms. "What else? If you don't crawl back where you came from, I'll beat the crap out of you!"
Ghostfreak's laughter echoed hoarsely through the forest, its grating tone making everyone's ears ache.
"Beat me?" His single eye glowed with icy fury. "Today, every one of you will die by my hand!"
"This is bad," Lucian thought, his stomach sinking.
Sure enough, Ghostfreak's body began to twist and change.
The pale layer of skin tore apart under his sharp claws, revealing his true form within seconds. An inverted skull, gleaming fangs, and a single eerie purple eye glared out. His body shifted from white to dark violet, his skin riddled with jagged cracks that pulsed with a sinister glow.
Under the moonlight, his long, razor-sharp claws shimmered with cold menace.
"Breaking free feels incredible!" Ghostfreak howled, his raspy laughter cutting through the night. "Finally, I'm out of that watch prison!"
Diamondhead scoffed. "So what? I can just shove you right back in."
Ghostfreak's laughter stopped cold. His single eye narrowed, locking onto the defiant Diamondhead.
"Kid, I've put up with you long enough," he hissed.
"Then come beat me up!"
With that, Diamondhead kicked off the ground like a cannonball, his arms morphing into jagged spikes as he charged straight at Ghostfreak.
"Ben, come back!" Lucian shouted, reaching out.
But it was too late. Diamondhead had already reached his target.
He swung his crystal spikes in a blinding arc, their sharp edges flashing under the moonlight.
Ghostfreak's form blurred, dodging effortlessly. In the next instant, his massive bone claw slammed into Diamondhead's chest.
Diamondhead grunted in pain, the force hurling him backward. He crashed into a thick cypress tree, shattering it in two before hitting the ground hard—unconscious.
"Who would've thought two Omnitrixes would appear at the same time? Truly astonishing~" Ghostfreak murmured. "I wonder what Azmuth would think if he found out?"
At those words, Grandpa Max's expression changed instantly.
"You know Azmuth?" He clenched his fists, his gaze flickering with unease.
"Oh? Looks like you know him too" Ghostfreak chuckled darkly. "That guy took my DNA. How could I not know him"
"Once I deal with you all, I'll claim both Omnitrixes. Then no one in the universe will be my match!"
"If that's what you think, you're dead wrong." Grandpa Max shook his head, his gray hair glinting faintly under the moonlight. "Out there in the vast universe, there are countless beings far stronger than you. Your plan will never succeed."
"Then let's find out!"
Ghostfreak twisted, his form wreathed in a dark, sinister aura as he flew straight toward Lucian.
One Omnitrix first!
"Don't you dare hurt my cousin!"
Gwen stepped in front of Lucian, summoning a roaring blue water dragon that tore through the air toward Ghostfreak.
Ghostfreak dodged to the side, narrowly evading the ferocious blast. He had no intention of taking a magical attack like that head-on.
"You're all looking for death~" Ghostfreak hissed, charging again.
Lucian pulled out his portable blackboard, unfolded his crystal Hoverboard, and leapt onto it in one swift motion.
He powered it up, soaring away at full speed to lure Ghostfreak off their trail.
But Ghostfreak was far too cunning. He immediately saw through Lucian's intent. With a chilling grin, he suddenly shifted course and lunged toward a startled Gwen.
Faced with the hideous creature, Gwen hastily conjured a transparent bubble of water around herself.
Rip!
Ghostfreak's bone claws shredded the barrier instantly, the bubble bursting into mist that scattered into the air.
Grabbing Gwen by the arm, Ghostfreak shouted toward Lucian above. "Try to run again, and I'll kill her right here!"
Lucian froze midair, body rigid.
He turned toward Ghostfreak, a faint gleam flashing in his eyes—there and gone in an instant.
Unnoticed, Grandpa Max had quietly crept up behind Ghostfreak. Raising the shard of crystal in his hand, he thrust it hard toward the creature's skull.
Sensing the sudden movement behind him, Ghostfreak whipped around, his claws lashing out to block the attack.
CRASH!
The crystal fragment in Grandpa Max's hand shattered instantly, the sharp crack echoing through the dark forest.
The next moment, a monstrous force slammed into him, sending him flying. He crashed onto a patch of grass, groaning as he struggled to move.
"Grandpa!" Gwen screamed, trying to rush over, but Ghostfreak's grip tightened, holding her fast.
Tap, tap!
Diamondhead, having recovered, burst forward with tremendous power, his aura blazing as he charged straight toward Ghostfreak.
"Insolent wretch!" He raised his arm, forming a massive crystal spear, ready to hurl it.
"You'd better not move~"
Ghostfreak's cold voice cut through the air as his bone-white claws clamped around Gwen's throat, pressing just enough to draw a bead of blood. One wrong move, and he'd rip it open.
Diamondhead clenched his fists, fury blazing in his eyes, but he couldn't act.
Lucian sighed softly as he descended from above, dismissing the crystal hoverboard before striding forward toward Ghostfreak.
"Let her go, and the Omnitrix is yours," Lucian said calmly, his face filled with unshakable resolve.
"Cuz… don't!" Gwen shook her head desperately, tears welling in her eyes. She couldn't believe he would risk his life for her.
"No, Cuz, run!" Diamondhead protested, then turned toward Ghostfreak. "I have an Omnitrix too! Take mine and let them go!"
Ghostfreak sneered. "Don't worry. Both of your Omnitrixes are mine. I'll get to you soon enough."
"You—!" Diamondhead's fists trembled. He wanted nothing more than to charge in and smash this alien freak into the ground.
Ghostfreak tightened his grip on Gwen, motioning for Lucian to approach. His meaning was clear—try anything, and she'd die instantly.
Lucian's expression didn't waver as he walked forward.
"Cuz, forget about me! Just go!" Gwen cried, tears spilling down her cheeks. She didn't want him to die for her sake.
"Gwen, I'm your cousin. How could I ever abandon you?" Lucian said firmly, his eyes filled with quiet determination.
But deep down, he already had a plan.
Ghostfreak let out a chilling laugh. "How touching. Such moving family affection—I could almost cry~"
"Come on then!" Lucian stepped closer. "But first, let my cousin run. I don't trust you not to change your mind."
"No problem~"
Ghostfreak released Gwen—and lunged straight at Lucian...