"No, that won't be enough!" Vilgax's expression twisted into something feral, his blood-red eyes narrowing to burning slits. The look was absolutely terrifying. "I should eliminate the threat completely. I can't allow you to become stronger, boy!"
The pressure around XLR8's throat suddenly intensified. Thick, corded veins bulged across the back of Vilgax's massive hand as his fingers tightened with lethal intent.
XLR8 coughed violently, unable to draw breath. Every bone in his body felt ready to shatter. His vision blurred at the edges, darkness creeping in from all sides.
Is this it?
Am I really going to die like this?
The thought cut through his fading consciousness with bitter clarity.
I didn't even get to use my strongest techniques...
"Octopus-head, let go of Asher!!"
Not far away, the Rust Bucket had pulled up beside the highway entrance. Max stood near the vehicle while Ben, wearing his steel battle armor, rocketed through the air, flames erupting from his boot thrusters as he closed the distance to Vilgax!
Without hesitation, Ben raised his palm and aimed directly at Vilgax's face.
FWOOOM!
The repulsor cannon released a searing golden laser that burned through the surrounding air itself!
"You dare, Tennyson?!" Vilgax roared, his attention snapping toward the incoming attack. Before he could finish his threat, the laser slammed into his face with devastating force.
BOOM!!
The explosion erupted across Vilgax's features, the impact forcing his head backward. His grip on XLR8 involuntarily loosened, both hands releasing their prey.
Now!
XLR8's claws shot out, gripping both sides of Vilgax's palms. He used the leverage to propel himself free, kicking off and landing hard on the cracked asphalt several meters away.
"Cough, cough!!"
He dropped to one knee, body still trembling from the near-death experience. It was the first time he'd been this thoroughly overwhelmed in combat.
"Asher, are you okay?!" Ben's voice crackled through the suit's speakers as he hovered nearby, genuine concern cutting through the processed audio.
When he looked back at Vilgax, his expression hardened. Every muscle in the armor tensed.
Even Asher couldn't beat this monster?!
Just how strong is Vilgax?!
"Asher, let me help you!"
Gwen materialized beside them, dressed in her Lucky Girl costume. Her face was filled with worry as she raised both hands, magical energy already gathering at her fingertips. She cast a levitation spell, and warm pink light enveloped XLR8's battered form, gently lifting him from the ground and guiding him back toward her position.
"You Tennysons... it seems you all want to die together! Fine, I'll grant your wish and kill every last one of you!!"
Vilgax had already recovered his footing, shaking off the smoke from Ben's attack with casual disdain. He brushed away the dissipating vapor around his body, then took a moment to inspect his face.
When the smoke cleared completely, his features came into full view.
His face was intact, completely unmarked. Only slight bloodshot veining around his eyes and a few minor scratches near his mouth showed any sign of damage at all.
Seeing this, the Tennysons felt their hearts sink.
"My attack... it didn't do anything." Ben stared at Vilgax in disbelief, his armored fists clenching tight.
He's too strong!
Max's expression darkened further. "Is Vilgax's current power really this terrifying? When we fought in our youth, he was nowhere near this level!"
He'd faced the warlord before, when both were younger. Compared to this cybernetically enhanced demon before them, Vilgax of the past had been almost... manageable.
BOOM!
Vilgax stretched out both massive arms and launched himself toward XLR8's floating form with explosive speed!
"Don't even think about it!"
Ben immediately flew beneath Vilgax's trajectory and delivered a powerful uppercut directly to the warlord's jaw!
CRACK!
Vilgax's head snapped upward, his body swaying backward from the impact.
Then,
His head slowly lowered back into position. He fixed his burning gaze on Ben hovering before him, and without a word, his fist lashed out!
"Gah, !"
Ben's attempted warning died in his throat as Vilgax's punch connected with his armored torso. The force launched him dozens of meters backward, his body crashing down right beside the Rust Bucket with bone-jarring impact!
"That hurts!!" Ben groaned, struggling to rise. The suit's systems flickered briefly from the damage.
Fortunately, Ben's desperate strike had given XLR8 the opening he needed. Gwen successfully transported him to safety beside her.
"Thank you, thank you both, Gwen, Ben!"
XLR8 forced himself to his feet, his expression grim despite the gratitude in his voice. Then he focused forward again, fixing Vilgax with a sharp, determined glare!!
I can't run from this.
Even with just one breath left in my body, I have to fight!
"No need to thank us, we're family, aren't we?" Gwen clenched both hands into fists, the Charm of Luck glowing on her left wrist while the Charm of Pyrokinesis blazed on her right. Her voice was steady, resolved. "We're in this together."
"Very well. If you're all so eager to die together, it'll save me the trouble of hunting you down one by one."
Vilgax rolled his neck, joints cracking with audible pops, then began striding toward the group with deliberate, measured steps.
The intimidation factor was overwhelming.
THUMP!
XLR8's right leg tensed immediately, power coiling through enhanced muscle and alien physiology. He was ready to unleash Wind God Leg techniques the instant Vilgax came within range!
Gwen raised both magical charms, her focus intense as she prepared to coordinate with whatever Asher needed.
This time, Vilgax didn't deploy his smaller drones.
The distance was too close, heavy smoke would obscure his own vision. And besides...
He was certain of his victory.
"Gwen, get ready!"
XLR8 watched Vilgax's approach, heart pounding in his chest. He whispered urgently to Gwen, and his right foot slowly pulled back into position, preparing to launch forward with explosive force!
Vrrrmmm~~
Suddenly,
The roar of an engine starting echoed from behind them!
"Gwen, move!!" XLR8 reacted instantly. He wrapped both arms around Gwen and dove to the right, landing them both safely on the ground several meters away!
"What are you running for?" Vilgax's head turned in confusion toward the two figures now sprawled beside him on the asphalt.
CRASH!!
A violent collision sound erupted from directly ahead!
Vilgax whipped his attention forward just in time to see the Rust Bucket, wings deployed and rocket thrusters blazing at maximum output, hurtling toward him like a ground-based meteor!!
Through the vehicle's window, he caught a glimpse of the old man behind the wheel.
That meddling Plumber!!
"Vilgax, stay away from my grandchildren!!" Max's voice boomed with warrior's intensity as he floored the accelerator, his weathered face set with absolute determination!
"My most hated enemies... all gathered in one place!!"
Vilgax's furious roar was cut short as the accelerating Rust Bucket gave him no time to dodge. The vehicle slammed into him head-on at maximum velocity!
WHAM!!
The collision was like being hit by a high-speed train! Vilgax's massive body was launched backward, carried dozens of meters before crashing into the distant roadside!
The tremendous counter-force brought the Rust Bucket to a grinding halt, its entire front end crumpled inward from the impact!
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