The alien lunged, a blur of green muscle and razor-sharp claws. Ben reacted instinctively, pushing Gwen behind him. Years of fighting had honed his reflexes, even without the Ultimatrix. He might not be able to transform, but he wasn't helpless. He sidestepped the initial attack, the alien's claws whistling past his ear. The scent of decay and raw meat emanated from the creature, a nauseating wave that threatened to overwhelm him. This was the Null Void, a place where predators thrived and prey were consumed without mercy.
Kevin, ever the brawler, roared and charged forward, his fists hardened into jagged metal. He slammed into the alien, a brutal collision that sent the creature staggering backward. But the alien recovered quickly, slashing at Kevin with its claws. The metal of Kevin's fists deflected some of the blows, but others found their mark, tearing through his improvised armor, drawing blood. Gwen, recovering her wits, began chanting, her hands glowing with mana energy. She unleashed a bolt of pure energy, striking the alien in the chest. The creature roared in pain, but the energy blast seemed to have little effect. It shrugged off the attack, its eyes still fixed on Ben.
"We can't take it down like this!" Kevin yelled, grunting as he blocked another savage strike. "It's too strong!" Ben knew he was right. They were outmatched. The alien was a natural predator, perfectly adapted to the harsh environment of the Null Void. They were just intruders, weak and vulnerable.
He scanned the room, desperately searching for a way to gain an advantage. His eyes fell on the portal, the swirling vortex of energy that represented their only hope of escape. But the portal was guarded by the alien, a formidable barrier that seemed impossible to overcome. He noticed that the energy conduits around the portal were exposed, their wires sparking and crackling with power. An idea formed in his mind, a desperate gamble that could either save them or destroy them.
"Gwen!" Ben shouted, his voice filled with urgency. "Can you overload those energy conduits?" Gwen glanced at the conduits, her eyes widening in understanding. "I can try," she said, her voice strained. "But it's risky. The backlash could be… unpredictable." "We don't have a choice," Ben said. "It's our only chance." Gwen nodded, her expression resolute. She focused her will, channeling her mana energy towards the conduits. The wires began to glow brighter, the energy crackling and sparking more intensely. The air filled with the scent of ozone, a sharp, acrid smell that stung their nostrils. The alien roared in frustration, realizing what they were trying to do. It abandoned its attack on Kevin and charged towards Gwen, its claws outstretched, intent on stopping her. Ben stepped in front of Gwen, blocking the alien's path. He braced himself, ready to take the full force of the creature's attack. He knew he couldn't win, but he had to buy Gwen enough time.
The alien slammed into him, its claws tearing through his clothes, ripping into his flesh. Pain exploded in his chest, a searing agony that threatened to overwhelm him. He stumbled backward, his vision blurring, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He could feel the alien's hot breath on his face, its rancid stench filling his lungs. He closed his eyes, bracing himself for the final blow.
But the blow never came. Instead, a blinding flash of light erupted from the energy conduits, followed by a deafening roar. The room shook violently, the machinery rattling and sparking. The alien shrieked in pain, its body convulsing as it was engulfed in a wave of raw energy. Ben opened his eyes, his vision swimming. He saw Gwen standing beside him, her face pale and strained, but her eyes filled with triumph. The energy conduits were overloaded, their wires melted and blackened. The alien was gone, reduced to a smoldering pile of ash.
"Let's go!" Gwen shouted, grabbing Ben's arm. "Before anything else comes out of the woodwork!" They raced towards the portal, Kevin limping behind them, his body battered and bruised. They reached the swirling vortex of energy and hesitated for a moment, peering into the unknown depths beyond. Ben took a deep breath and stepped through the portal, followed by Gwen and Kevin. The world dissolved around them, a kaleidoscope of light and color. Then, darkness.
They landed hard on a cold, metal floor. Ben groaned, pushing himself to his feet. He looked around, his eyes widening in disbelief. They were in a spaceship. A large, sterile room filled with blinking lights and humming machinery. The walls were lined with monitors, displaying complex data and schematics. And standing before them was Albedo. But this Albedo was different. He wore a sleek, silver uniform, and his eyes glowed with an unnatural intensity. He radiated an aura of power, a sense of control that Ben had never seen in him before.
"Welcome aboard, Ben," Albedo said, his voice smooth and confident. "I've been expecting you. And I am ready to reveal my ultimate plan for both of us."
Before Ben could respond, Albedo pressed a button on the console. A force field sprung up around Ben, Gwen, and Kevin, trapping them inside. He then said, "I realized that I don't need you to accomplish my goals." He smiled at Ben, revealing his plan to steal the alien's power. Would Ben manage to stop Albedo before it was too late? Or will Albedo finally reach his goals? Continue reading to find out! Stay tuned!