Pittsburgh.
Outside the city limits, an iron ore mine.
Jagged mountains and deep ravines surrounded the area. Towering yellow cliffs rose on all sides, packed with massive iron deposits hidden beneath layers of dark soil.
Vulkanus stretched out his hand. With strength like a heavy excavator, he easily scooped up huge chunks of earth, then tossed them into a steel container beside him, packing them together.
"As long as we extract the Bisynthium Alloy, combine it with Element X, and then… boom! The entire solar system goes up!" Vulkanus threw his head back and laughed.
SixSix fired flames from the jets on its back, hovering in midair. "*%￥%#￥@!"
"Good. Speed it up," Vulkanus said with a nod.
Behind a metal crate nearby, the group watched everything unfold.
Ben clenched his fists, teeth grinding. "We can't let SixSix pull this off. If they succeed, Earth is finished."
"Relax. They won't get that chance." Lucian's lips curled into a slight smile.
Even without the Galactic Enforcers, just him and Ben would be more than enough to deal with them.
"Captain, then what should we—" Tini looked toward Ultimo and suddenly froze.
The others sensed something was wrong and immediately turned around, stiffening in place.
At some point, the once strong and healthy Ultimo had withered into a gaunt, aged figure, his skin shriveled like a dried orange.
"Cold… so cold…"
Ultimo's face twisted in pain as he hugged himself, his body trembling nonstop.
"Ultimo, what's wrong?" Ben's eyes widened as he hurried over to check on him.
Synaptek seemed to sense something and quickly extended a tentacle, brushing it across Ultimo's lips. When he saw the black residue on the tip, his brow furrowed deeply.
"It's sugar poisoning."
He turned to Ben, his voice icy. "I knew you weren't up to any good, Earth brat."
"Hey, how was I supposed to know candy was his weakness? That's just ridiculous!" Ben protested, sounding both wronged and innocent.
"Once I deal with SixSix and Vulkanus, I'll come back and deal with you," Synaptek said coldly.
"That's enough. You stay here and look after Ultimo. I'll handle Vulkanus and SixSix."
Lucian stepped forward, his silver battle suit gleaming.
"No, that's way too dangerous!" Tini shook her head immediately.
She didn't believe Lucian could take down both villains by himself.
Synaptek gave Lucian a scornful look. "Just you alone? Kid, confidence is fine, but too much of it is pure arrogance."
He already struggled against SixSix one-on-one. An Earth kid taking on both of them?
One versus two?
That was absurd.
Even if the three of them worked together, there was no guarantee they could defeat that criminal duo.
Synaptek simply didn't believe Lucian stood a chance.
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "You don't believe me? Then watch closely."
With that, he turned away and strode toward the mine, ignoring everyone's stares.
As he moved, Lucian raised his Omnitrix calibration panel. A hologram of "Feedback" popped up, and he slammed his hand down without hesitation.
Boom!
Bathed in eerie green light, Lucian's body shot upward. His limbs stretched longer, yellow plugs forming at his fingertips. Two tendrils extended from his head, swaying with the air.
At the center of his face, a single green eye slowly opened, faint arcs of electricity flickering within.
"Feedback!"
Wearing a silver cape, Feedback stood tall and imposing, leaving behind a commanding silhouette.
[Ding~ Alien Hacker Mission Triggered]
[Defeat SixSix and Vulkanus. Prevent the fusion of Element X and Bisynthium Alloy. Save the solar system.]
[Mission success grants a random enhancement effect]
[Additional mission: Destroy Element X]
[Mission success grants a random Alien Hero Chest]
A string of cold system prompts echoed through Lucian's mind.
Feedback gave a sly grin. Lightning crackled around his body as he calmly walked toward the center of the iron mine.
"What an arrogant fool," Synaptek snorted, watching Feedback's back. "I want to see exactly how you get crushed by them."
"I'm going to help!" Tini clenched her fists.
"No. Let him go alone," Synaptek said, shaking his head. "He's too full of himself. He needs a harsh lesson."
"But—" Tini hesitated.
Ben patted her leg. "Relax. Cuz turned into Feedback. Those two weirdos don't stand a chance."
If it was Feedback, then there was nothing for them to do.
In Ben's memory, Feedback's combat power was overwhelming, far beyond ordinary heroes.
He still vividly remembered the battle on the San Francisco Bridge, when Cuz transformed into Feedback and fought Zs'Skayr and Kevin 11.
Just thinking about it sent chills down his spine. That fight was insane.
"Alright… fine."
Tini sighed and stayed hidden behind the containers.
Four golden eyes stayed locked on Feedback's direction.
If anything went wrong, she would jump in immediately.
Synaptek stayed beside Ultimo, watching with contempt, clearly waiting to see Lucian fail.
Inside the iron mine.
Vulkanus was digging when he suddenly heard footsteps nearby. His eyes hardened as he spun around.
"Who are you?!"
His expression twisted into a snarl as he clenched his fists, staring warily at Feedback.
Feedback pointed at the Omnitrix on his chest. "Forgot me already?"
"You're… that Tetramand!" Vulkanus blurted out.
He scanned the area. "Where are those bugs? Didn't they come with you?"
By "bugs," he was obviously referring to the Galactic Enforcers.
"Enough talk. Come take your beating."
Feedback raised his hand, electricity snapping and crackling around his palm.
"Heh. Arrogant little brat. I'll teach you a lesson!"
Vulkanus kicked off the ground, launching himself like a cannonball straight at Feedback.
At the same time, SixSix flew overhead, dual pistols blazing as torrents of red energy rained down.
Attacked from above and below, Feedback was caught in a deadly pincer…