BANG! BANG! BANG!
The boots that flew through the air and the spinning soda bottles were pierced cleanly by sharp diamond shuriken launched from Diamondhead's crystalline form.
WHOOSH!
A massive log suspended from a rope device swung down from a high rock position, hurtling toward Diamondhead with devastating momentum!
"Hm?" Diamondhead's eyes narrowed as he assessed the incoming wooden pillar.
Normally, even knowing the impact would cause no real damage, most fighters would instinctively dodge. Self-preservation was a natural response ingrained in all living beings.
But transformed as Diamondhead, Asher wouldn't even consider retreat!
He stood motionless like a crystalline statue, preparing to block the ramming wooden pillar with his body alone!
"Asher, be careful not to get knocked flying," Max called from the control center, genuine concern in his voice.
"Knocked flying? That's impossible," Diamondhead replied, his tone dripping with arrogant confidence. He leaned forward slightly, facing the approaching wooden pillar without the slightest hint of fear!
BOOM!
The massive wooden pillar slammed directly into Diamondhead's chest!
His figure didn't budge even a centimeter. He stood like an immovable rock amidst raging waves, completely unshaken by the tremendous impact!
CRACK!
The wooden pillar that struck him was the one that suffered. Spiderweb cracks spread across its surface as the force of collision rebounded through the timber. The pillar swung backward from the recoil, its structural integrity thoroughly compromised!
WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
The next instant, two additional massive wooden pillars appeared from the left and right sides, swinging heavily toward Diamondhead. The difficulty had doubled compared to the initial test!
"Diamond Spikes!"
Diamondhead's expression remained unchanged. His left arm moved first, blocking the view of Ben who stood behind him for protection. Then he dropped into a crouch, his right palm slamming against the ground!
CRACK! CRACK!
Enormous spikes formed entirely of crystalline diamond erupted from the earth on both his left and right sides! The massive crystal formations pierced straight through the flying wooden stakes, impaling them in mid-air and preventing any further movement!
The diamond spikes gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight, reflecting Diamondhead's cold, warrior-like presence.
"Wow, that's amazing!" Ben couldn't help the awe that filled his voice. A mixture of shock and admiration washed over him as competitive pressure built in his chest.
Asher was so powerful and worked this hard. He needed to train even harder himself!
"The abilities of every alien form haven't just been developed extensively by Asher," Max observed with genuine surprise. "He's applied warrior principles to each transformation! It feels like he's been training with these powers for years!"
Only by witnessing Asher's performance up close could one truly appreciate his remarkable skill and discipline.
"Then I'll take the offensive!"
Diamondhead rose proudly and began moving through the entire training ground. His arms transformed, taking on a honeycomb-shaped configuration that resembled a diamond machine gun. As his body flowed through the course with fluid precision, he continuously released perfectly formed diamond shuriken!
In an instant, cans and boots positioned in all directions were pierced by his crystalline projectiles!
The shuriken themselves seemed few in number, but what truly astounded Max was the precision. Every single can was pierced by exactly one diamond shuriken, "no more, no less!
Each projectile struck the center of the red bullseye target!
And Diamondhead didn't appear to be actively aiming. The perfect accuracy seemed to come from pure instinct and muscle memory, as natural as breathing!
BANG! BANG!
Ben kept one eye closed and the other focused, carefully aiming and hitting several soda cans himself!
"All targets eliminated!"
By the time others processed what had happened, Diamondhead had already stopped moving. His arms slowly reverted to their normal crystalline form as he glanced back at the training ground behind him.
Every single target had been struck without exception, each one hitting the bullseye perfectly!
Diamond shuriken protruded from surfaces throughout the entire course!
Max clapped his hands together hard, his expression filled with genuine affirmation. "Asher, you did an excellent job."
"Of course," Diamondhead responded with characteristic pride, his entire bearing radiating dominance and confidence.
"Asher like this is so cool," Gwen whispered, her cheeks flushing slightly as she watched the crystalline warrior. Her heart fluttered a little.
Compared to the Asher who made her feel safe and protected, this confident and powerful version was equally attractive.
Actually, Asher was handsome no matter what form he took.
"What about me, Grandpa?" Ben looked at Max expectantly, clearly hoping for similar praise.
"Ben, you worked hard too. In my opinion, both you and Asher passed the test." Max naturally offered praise to his grandson without hesitation.
What neither Asher nor Max noticed, "beneath several soda cans that had been pierced by diamond shuriken, "were additional holes blasted by Ben's air gun!
Ben's remarkable natural talent was already beginning to show!
BEEP! BEEP!
Just as the training session concluded and the transformation time expired, the imposing Diamondhead reverted back to Asher's normal human form.
"Aw, the transformation ended already?" Asher's fists still maintained their fighting posture as he looked down at his ordinary hands with mild disappointment. This training facility wasn't nearly large enough for him to unleash his full capabilities!
"You and Ben have trained enough for today. We should go now. Don't stay too long in case someone passes by. The probability is small, but better to be cautious," Max carefully advised, pulling the control center's main lever back to its original neutral position.
"Alright, let's head out. Ben, pack up the air gun. Gwen, let me help you with your things."
Asher walked over to where Gwen had set up her reading spot. Together they folded her reclining chair and gathered her belongings. Ben secured his air gun and followed them back to the Rust Bucket.
Within minutes, the group had loaded everything and climbed aboard the RV. The Rust Bucket's engine rumbled to life, and they continued down the road toward their next destination.
The training ground fell silent once more.
Several minutes passed with no movement whatsoever.
Then...
CRASH!
A meteorite-like figure plummeted from the sky!
A circular alien spacecraft hurtled downward at incredible velocity! The friction from atmospheric entry caused the air around it to ignite, creating layers of fire that engulfed the vessel's exterior!
BOOM!
The spacecraft impacted the ground with tremendous force, excavating a massive crater directly adjacent to the training facility!
Thick clouds of smoke and dust erupted from the impact site, obscuring everything in a choking haze!
The spacecraft's hatch opened automatically.
A purple robot with a distinctly samurai-like design leaped from the pit with monkey-like agility. His movements were quick and aggressive as he surveyed the training ground with fierce intensity!
Someone had been here recently!
The bounty hunter reacted instantly, drawing the locator device from his belt. The screen displayed a red dot positioned on the road several thousand meters away, still moving!
BOOM!
Rocket launchers mounted on SixSix's shoulders automatically ignited, flames erupting from the propulsion systems. He launched into the air, pursuing the old RV along the highway at high speed!
This was a bounty competition. First come, first served!
CRASH! CRASH!
Two additional spacecraft fell from the sky, each one gouging out massive impact craters!
"That guy went ahead without us. We can't let him claim the bounty alone," a crab-like robot declared as he emerged from his spacecraft. Without even glancing at the training ground, Kraab immediately gave chase along the road!
The final spacecraft opened more slowly.
Its occupant emerged with deliberate calm and composure.
Tetrax Shard, a Petrosapien mercenary. He stepped from his craft with measured precision. Unlike his competition, he wasn't rushing blindly forward.
He turned his head, focusing his attention on the training ground itself.
"Hm?" Tetrax's crystalline features shifted with curiosity as he noticed something unusual.
He walked unhurriedly to the training course, examining it closely. Surprise flickered across his face!
Diamond shuriken had achieved one hundred percent accuracy on all targets!
"You've got to be kidding," Tetrax muttered in disbelief. His attention shifted to the wooden stakes.
Diamond spikes had erupted from the ground, impaling two wooden pillars with devastating precision!
Tetrax's eyes contracted to pinpoint focus, shock evident in his expression. "He's developed our species' powers to this level already?"
This was remarkable. How long had the Omnitrix been in the boy's possession? How could this Earth child have mastered Petrosapien abilities so thoroughly?
No wonder Vilgax was offering such an enormous bounty!
After a moment of contemplative silence, Tetrax pulled out his hoverboard and leaped onto it gracefully. A smile of anticipation crossed his crystalline features. "In that case, those two arrogant, cold-blooded bounty hunters are in for a nasty surprise!"
Anyone who underestimated this particular wielder of the Omnitrix would deeply regret their assumptions!
Tetrax accelerated on his hoverboard, following the trail left by his competition. Unlike SixSix and Kraab who were rushing in blindly, Tetrax now understood exactly what kind of opponent they were all facing.
This wouldn't be a simple capture mission.
This would be far more interesting.
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