Dam Hydroelectric Power Plant.
A towering planetary robot stood at the edge of the dam, its body crackling with golden lightning as it swung its massive fists, trying to demolish the colossal structure.
Whoosh!
A sleek crystal hoverboard streaked through the sky from afar. Lucian stood on it, his expression tense as he gazed down at the giant robot below.
Countless Buzzshock beams had merged to power the mechanical monstrosity. Each punch it threw carved deep craters into the dam's surface, spreading cracks that leaked streams of water.
If this continued, the entire dam would collapse, and the residents downstream would be swallowed by the flood, leaving no trace behind.
Realizing the danger, Lucian dove from the air, landing near the robot before retracting the hoverboard.
He pressed the Omnitrix. A holographic projection of alien forms appeared before him.
Grey Matter, Swampfire, Ripjaws, Wildmutt... Humungousaur, Ghostfreak...
Lucian paused on Humungousaur's projection, then shook his head. Switching to Ghostfreak, he quickly dismissed that option too.
Ghostfreak was too unstable. Lucian could feel that its escape was imminent—transforming into it now would be far too risky.
He cycled through the options again, searching for an alien that could counter Buzzshock.
Stinkfly?
No. It could fly, but it wasn't strong enough to fight a planetary robot—or Buzzshock.
Upgrade?
Also no. Being a metallic lifeform made it highly conductive; it might be able to possess the robot, but Buzzshock's electricity would fry it instantly.
Finally, Lucian stopped on XLR8.
"You're up." His eyes sharpened as he slammed his hand down on the Omnitrix.
As one of the most versatile aliens, XLR8 was perfect for situations like this.
Thud!
A flash of emerald light erupted. XLR8 looked down at his sleek, black claws, a small smirk forming on his face.
[ID: XLR8]
[Current Enhancement Level: +5% Speed]
"Finally got it right this time."
In an instant, XLR8 kicked off the ground, becoming a streak of blue light as he sprinted toward the planetary robot at hurricane speed.
Within seconds, he closed the distance. The robot remained focused on smashing the dam, completely unaware of the approaching speedster.
[Ding~ Alien Hacker Mission Triggered]
[Buzzshock is controlling the powerful Planetary Robot, recklessly destroying the dam. Countless lives are at risk.]
[Mission: Defeat the Planetary Robot and stop its rampage.]
[Reward: Random Enhancement Effect upon completion.]
A cascade of system messages rang in XLR8's mind.
"I'll stop you here!"
In a blur, XLR8 appeared atop the robot's head and unleashed a rapid flurry of kicks—each strike landing like a torrential downpour.
The planetary robot froze mid-motion, halting its assault on the dam. Then, it raised a massive fist made of planetary spheres and swung upward, aiming to crush XLR8.
Feeling the rush of wind from the swing, XLR8's instincts kicked in. He vanished in a flash of blue.
Boom!
A deafening impact echoed as the robot's own fist slammed into its head. The massive structure staggered, its balance faltering as its entire frame began to sway.
Seeing his opening, XLR8's eyes gleamed. He shot forward, circling the robot at blinding speed.
Whoosh!
Winds surged violently around the robot as XLR8's movements created a vortex, forming a roaring blue hurricane that lifted the colossal machine off the ground.
Once it was suspended in midair, XLR8 abruptly stopped, appearing on a distant boulder in a blur.
Without the cyclone's support, the planetary robot plummeted straight down, crashing into the rocky ground below with a thunderous impact.
BOOM!
With a deafening explosion, the planetary robot shattered into countless pieces, scattering brilliant sparks as mechanical parts rained down in every direction.
[Successfully defeated the Planetary Robot, saving tens of thousands of downstream residents]
[Enhanced XLR8's speed by 5%]
[Current Enhancement Level: 10% Speed]
The familiar system notification echoed once again in XLR8's mind. At the same time, he felt his body grow lighter—his movements sharper, faster, more fluid—like a cheetah ready to strike at any moment.
Beep!
A car horn blared from the edge of the dam. XLR8 turned his head, a glint flashing in his eyes.
Perched on top of the Rustbucket was an enormous glass jar, gleaming under the sunlight. Its surface reflected blinding light, almost dazzling to look at.
Ben leapt out of the van, quickly scrambling onto the roof. He pulled a black cloth from his pocket and draped it over the glass jar.
Standing below, Gwen watched her sweaty cousin and smiled lightly. "Not bad, dweeb. Didn't expect you to move so fast."
"You're just figuring that out, nerd?" Ben wiped the sweat from his forehead. "We can't let Buzzshock destroy the dam. Too many people would die."
"I just hope Cuz's plan actually works..." he muttered, glancing toward the covered jar.
"Good job, Ben," Grandpa said with a nod.
Ben stood tall on the car roof, the sun beating down on him as sweat dripped from his chin—but his eyes stayed firm and determined.
"Cuz! We're ready!" he called out, waving toward XLR8.
At the dam, countless Buzzshock clones crawled out from the wreckage, gathering in the air above the structure. Golden light flared as they fused together, radiating a powerful, electric aura.
Hearing Ben's voice, XLR8 flashed an OK sign and turned toward the swarm.
"Hey, you little freaks! Let's go three hundred rounds! I'll knock every last one of you flat!" he shouted, deliberately taunting them with mock arrogance.
Buzzshock erupted with rage. Their bodies blazed with electric light as they bared their sharp teeth and surged toward XLR8 in a furious wave.
Having lost their planetary robot and their means of absorbing energy from the dam, they were already seething. XLR8's provocation only fanned their anger into a storm.
Ben and the others watched as the entire swarm of golden lights flooded down toward XLR8, worry tightening their faces.
"There are so many of them... Cuz won't get hurt, right?" Gwen bit her lip, her fingers twitching with the urge to help.
But she knew her Water Magic wouldn't stand a chance against Buzzshock—it might even get in XLR8's way.
"Lucian will be fine," Grandpa said calmly, patting her shoulder. "Trust him."
Ben clenched his fists. "Relax, geek. XLR8's tough. He'll beat those electric pests for sure."
Despite his words, his eyes never left the battlefield.
Crackle...
Lightning filled the sky, wild and violent. The swarm of Buzzshock shrieked like a pack of wolves closing in on their prey, diving toward XLR8 in unison.
"Come at me—all of you!"
With that, XLR8's feet blurred as he sprinted across the ground, spinning faster and faster until a massive blue tornado formed. In an instant, the vortex swallowed the entire swarm of Buzzshock into its spiraling core...