Asher wanted nothing more than to punch Vilgax square in the face.
Just once.
To tell him, "Everything you've done is completely useless!"
The Galvanic Mechamorph could practically picture the warlord's furious, twisted expression. The thought brought savage satisfaction that thrummed through his circuitry.
"Why would you even do that?" Tetrax asked, confusion evident in his crystalline features.
Even SixSix, still trapped within Kraab's possessed chassis, felt Upgrade's murderous intent radiating like heat from an engine. Despite being concealed beneath layers of mechanical plating, the Sotoraggian's flesh-and-blood body trembled uncontrollably.
He didn't dare make a sound. He could only shiver in terror, hoping the Galvanic Mechamorph wouldn't decide to finish him off.
"Vilgax has hunted me relentlessly," Upgrade said, his voice carrying an edge of cold fury. "Time and time again. No matter what, I need to give him a proper 'surprise.' Don't you think?"
What a surprise indeed!
"Your surprise..." Tetrax wiped sweat from his crystalline brow, forcing an awkward smile. "Forget it, Asher. If you took the camera there, I'm afraid you wouldn't make it out of Vilgax's ship alive."
He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Besides, there's no need. Doing so would only enrage Vilgax further, and he'd dispatch even more mercenaries. More innocent people would die because of it."
Upgrade's aggressive posture softened slightly as Tetrax's words sank in. The Petrosapien wasn't wrong. Provoking Vilgax with such a brazen insult would only escalate the situation beyond control.
Tetrax understood why Upgrade felt this way. If someone constantly pursued you, trying to steal something you'd obtained fairly, anyone would be furious. The anger was justified.
"You don't need to record that video," Upgrade said after a moment, his tone becoming colder and more resolute. "But I will eliminate this alien mercenary permanently. I don't tolerate threats to Earth."
His stance toward humans remained measured. He still operated with a moral code, preferring to hand criminals over to the proper authorities rather than executing them himself. He was willing to give people chances to reform.
Unless they truly angered him. Then he could be ruthless.
But when it came to alien mercenaries and cybernetic killers? Zero tolerance.
As if on cue, Upgrade's transformation timer activated. He released his grip on SixSix's struggling form, letting the Sotoraggian mercenary collapse to the ground. Green light erupted as the Galvanic Mechamorph separated from Kraab's mechanical body, reconstituting Asher's human form nearby.
Without the controlling presence of Upgrade, Kraab's cybernetic shell became nothing more than dead weight. The massive frame crashed to the dirt with a thunderous impact, completely inert.
Two bounty hunters, one dead, one beaten into submission.
"Asher, I hope you'll give this one to me," Tetrax said, moving forward quickly. He pressed one knee against SixSix's back while firmly gripping the mercenary's arms, immobilizing him completely.
"Give him to you?" Asher asked, the green flash fading as he stepped out of the transformation's afterglow. After a moment's consideration, he nodded. "Alright. You saved my life before, and I owe you a favor. Consider this 'trophy' yours."
His reasoning was strategic. Having a neutral ally like Tetrax could prove invaluable. One more friend, one more favor owed in his direction, it all added to his network of support.
As expected, Tetrax's expression brightened with genuine gratitude. He reached behind his back with one hand and produced a small blue cube, tossing it onto SixSix's prone form.
The cube seemed to contain a pocket dimension. It activated instantly, drawing SixSix's body inside with a flash of light.
"Alien technology really is impressive," Asher said, studying the blue cube with genuine curiosity. This was his first real exposure to advanced extraterrestrial tech beyond the Omnitrix itself.
"If I get the chance, I can bring you some alien technological samples," Tetrax offered, standing up from the ground. He spoke warmly, treating Asher like a true friend. "I was in a hurry this time and didn't bring much. Sorry about that."
Clearly, Tetrax had accepted Asher as an ally.
"It's fine," Asher said with a smile. "I was just making conversation. Next time you visit Earth, I'll show you around. There's more to this planet than abandoned ghost towns and wastelands."
"Really?" Tetrax said, gesturing at their surroundings. "The place where I landed was nothing but barren desert. This abandoned town has no people whatsoever. Your Earth looks like a desolate wasteland from where I'm standing."
"Trust me," Asher said, lightly bumping his fist against Tetrax's crystalline arm. "After you really get to know Earth, you won't say things like that."
The two chatted comfortably, the tension of battle giving way to genuine camaraderie.
Eventually, Tetrax's attention shifted to Kraab's fallen chassis. "This one," he said. "I assume you want to keep it?"
"Of course," Asher said immediately. "This is what I defeated. It wouldn't be right for you to take it too."
"Naturally," Tetrax said, a hint of embarrassment crossing his features. "I wouldn't dream of it."
The imposing warrior who appeared so aloof and serious had a surprisingly approachable side. Perhaps this was the protective shell he'd developed to survive the dangerous universe, a mask worn for safety.
At that moment, Ben, Gwen, and Max emerged from their hiding spot, converging on Asher with obvious concern.
Watching the warm reunion, Tetrax finally understood why Asher fought so desperately to protect them.
These connections were his most precious treasures.
"I really hate to interrupt this touching moment," Tetrax said reluctantly. "But I need to say goodbye."
"Leaving so soon?" Asher asked, surprised.
"Unfortunately, yes," Tetrax said, his expression growing serious. "If I waste too much time here, Vilgax might figure out where I am. That would be... problematic."
His gaze swept across Ben, Gwen, and Max. "Before I go, I want to warn all of you. Be extremely careful of Vilgax. He's one of the most dangerous beings in the universe."
Vilgax, the most notorious villain in the galaxy. They needed to remain vigilant.
Yet even as Tetrax delivered this warning, he found himself feeling oddly optimistic about Asher's chances. The boy might not be strong enough now, but given time and experience...
Who knew who would have the last laugh?
"Let's see what the future holds," Tetrax said quietly.
With a sharp whistle, his hoverboard flew to his position. He caught it smoothly and mounted the device in one fluid motion.
"Whoa, that's cool!" Ben exclaimed, his face lighting up with excitement. "Hey, Tetrax, can you lend me that hoverboard? Just for three days!"
Tetrax's crystalline features formed an expression that could only be described as deadpan. "Do you want me to walk back to my aircraft on foot?"
"Please, my idiot cousin," Gwen said, placing her hands on her hips with exasperation. "Don't act like an eight-year-old who wants every toy he sees, okay?"
"I think Ben's head is probably a little dizzy," Asher added, barely suppressing a smile as he mimicked Gwen's earlier words almost perfectly.
"Hey! Asher, you're supposed to be my friend," Ben protested, looking genuinely hurt. "How could you betray me like this?"
Even Max couldn't help but laugh at the exchange.
A faint smile tugged at the corners of Tetrax's mouth as well.
Earth. Asher. Ben.
Perhaps he'd made some truly good friends here.
With a final nod of farewell, Tetrax activated his hoverboard and silently departed, leaving behind only the fading hum of alien technology.
After chatting for a while longer, Asher's attention returned to Kraab's mechanical corpse. "Grandpa, Ben, can you help me move this robot's body to the Rust Bucket's storage compartment?"
His storage device couldn't accommodate something this large.
"Asher, I don't understand," Max said, crossing his arms as he studied his grandson with curiosity. "What's the use of keeping this mechanical body?"
A mysterious gleam entered Asher's eyes. "It's like this..."
He explained his plan in detail.
After listening, Ben jumped nearly a meter in the air, practically vibrating with excitement.
"This is my chance!" he shouted. "My chance to become a real hero!"