"You're going back on your word!"
Lucian spun around and bolted, feigning anger and panic.
In truth, he was trying to draw Ghostfreak's attention and lead it away. Deep down, Lucian knew Ghostfreak would never play fair—anyone who tried to negotiate with it would end up dead...
Ghostfreak let out a chilling laugh, gliding swiftly after him.
Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Gwen froze in shock. She hadn't expected things to turn out like this. But she quickly snapped out of it, took a deep breath, and forced down her fear before sprinting after Lucian.
Diamondhead glanced at Grandpa Max's unconscious body on the ground, then at Gwen's fading figure. His eyes hardened as he made his decision and charged after them.
If Ghostfreak succeeded in taking Cuz's watch, they would all die. Better to risk everything than sit and wait for death—at least this way, there was still a sliver of hope.
With that thought, Diamondhead's crystal body gleamed as he sprinted into the dark forest...
...
The forest was pitch black, strange creatures hanging upside down from the trees. Dozens of scarlet eyes flickered faintly among the branches.
Suddenly, the sound of frantic footsteps echoed through the woods, startling the creatures into flight as they scattered in all directions.
Cold sweat beaded on Lucian's forehead as he ran through the shadowy forest, his clothes snagged with leaves and twigs.
He turned his head in "panic," but saw nothing—no sign of Ghostfreak at all.
"Who are you looking for~?"
A raspy voice came from behind.
Lucian didn't turn around. Instead, he bolted forward again, widening the distance between them before finally spinning around to face Ghostfreak, who hovered in the air.
"What's wrong? Not running anymore?"
Ghostfreak's single violet eye locked onto him.
"That's right. I'm done running." Lucian pulled out the small blackboard, unfolding the crystal hoverboard beneath his feet. "Because I'm flying away."
Ghostfreak's expression twisted in alarm. He'd already seen how fast that thing could move—it was far too quick to catch.
The moment Lucian stepped onto the crystal hoverboard, Ghostfreak's fury exploded. His form blurred into a streak of purple light as he darted toward Lucian at incredible speed.
"Don't even think about escaping, you miserable Earthling~!"
As he spoke, Ghostfreak raised his sharp white claws, charged with dark, chilling energy, and slashed down at the hoverboard.
He intended to shred the cursed board to pieces, then seize Lucian's body and claim the Omnitrix for himself!
Lucian's lips curved faintly upward.
This guy... took the bait.
He stomped hard, activating a hidden trigger. The hoverboard vanished instantly, retracting into his device as Lucian dropped back to the ground, landing on his small blackboard.
Under Ghostfreak's twisted glare, Lucian raised his wrist and thrust the Omnitrix toward the incoming claws.
Ghostfreak's eye widened, but his momentum was too great—he couldn't stop.
Boom!
The bone claws smashed into the Omnitrix, sending out a burst of bright sparks. A pulse of green energy exploded outward, blasting Ghostfreak backward with a piercing scream as his body flickered violently.
Lucian was thrown back as well, crashing into a patch of grass but managing to escape serious harm.
"You... you dare trick me~!"
Ghostfreak roared, his purple eye blazing with murderous rage.
"Didn't see that coming, did you? The real show's just starting."
Lucian smirked coldly, glancing down at the Omnitrix—it was glowing green again.
The moment Ghostfreak grabbed Gwen, Lucian had already set his plan in motion. He'd faked his resolve to die, making Ghostfreak think victory was certain. Then, he'd used its own brute force to trigger the Omnitrix's defense mechanism.
Now, he could transform again.
"Hand over the Omnitrix~!"
A wave of icy energy erupted from Ghostfreak, shaking the trees as the forest rustled in the cold wind.
"If you want it," Lucian said evenly, "come and get it."
He slammed his hand down on the Omnitrix, its holographic projection flaring to life in a ghostly green glow. He switched to Swampfire and struck the core.
Boom!
A blinding light filled the forest, piercing through the darkness before fading away.
When it cleared, a small alien stood beneath the moonlight—its body shaped like a battery, crackling with arcs of green electricity.
Lucian looked down at his glowing, electric hands, a grin spreading across his face.
"Buzzshock!"
Last time, he had deliberately let Buzzshock capture him to extract its DNA—and now it seemed the process was complete. In terms of combat ability, Buzzshock was no weaker than Swampfire.
"Nosedeenian~" Ghostfreak spread his cold, skeletal claws. "Before you fully mature, I must destroy you!"
Buzzshock laughed gleefully, raising his small hand as a surge of lightning burst forth. The electric current slithered like a vivid green serpent, streaking toward Ghostfreak at astonishing speed.
Ghostfreak failed to dodge in time and took the full hit squarely to his body, letting out a piercing scream.
"You wretch~!"
He immediately dissolved into a ghostly mist, retreating into the endless darkness.
Buzzshock transformed into a streak of lightning, crackling as he zipped through the air in pursuit, scanning the shadows for Ghostfreak's presence.
Soon, he found something—a faint trace of chaotic dark energy hidden in the tall grass. The aura was weak, but Buzzshock caught it instantly.
With a wicked grin, he gathered a violent storm of electricity and hurled it down.
The powerful blast struck hard, forcing Ghostfreak out of hiding as he glared at Buzzshock with venomous rage.
Just as Buzzshock prepared to press the attack, Gwen arrived from the side, Diamondhead close behind her.
"My strength hasn't fully recovered yet," Ghostfreak hissed. "But this isn't over~"
Seeing the situation turn against him, he twisted his eerie form and fled swiftly into the distance.
Buzzshock let out a high-pitched screech before transforming into a streak of brilliant green lightning, shooting after him.
Watching them disappear once more, Gwen stopped, panting heavily.
"They're just too fast… I can't keep up anymore..." Her face was covered in sweat, her chest heaving.
Diamondhead dashed past her, calling out, "Gwen, head back and take care of Grandpa! I'll go after them!"
Beep... beep... beep...
The next moment, the Omnitrix on his chest began flashing red, then glowed brightly before reverting him back to Ben.
"Oh, come on!" Ben stared at his hands, barely holding back the urge to curse.
With no choice left, the two made their way back to the Rustbucket, brought Grandpa to the nearest hospital, and began tending to him.
Meanwhile, under the distant night sky, a purple Ghostfreak fled wildly, leaving behind a trail of icy air.
Close behind, a dazzling streak of green lightning chased relentlessly—echoing with bursts of mischievous laughter...