"Congratulations, Host! By defeating Vulkanus, Sixsix, Synaptak, and Tini, and assisting Ben Tennyson in neutralizing Ultimos, you have achieved a Pentakill! Progress +1%!"
"Template Progress: 38/100. DNA Unlocked: The Frost-Wraith and The Prism-Sentinel!"
Tyler stood stunned as the notifications flooded his vision. He had just hit a jackpot. The Frost-Wraith was essentially an unholy fusion of a high-tier Void-Wraith (Ghostfreak) and Error Articguana, while the Prism-Sentinel acted as a superior hybrid of the Crystal-Ripper (Diamondhead) and The Static-Drake (Feedback).
"What should I call you, child?" Ultimos's booming voice snapped Tyler back to reality.
"Call me Tyler," he replied simply.
Ultimos, despite his rigid pride, produced a high-tech comms unit. "I am formally applying to Galactic Headquarters to rescind your arrest warrant."
"So, not a special pardon?" Tyler's mouth twitched. The "Hero" was clearly more worried about paperwork than justice.
A moment later, two flashes of light signaled the end of the battle. Ben and Tyler returned to their human forms. Tyler tensed, ready to force a Carnitrix reboot if the Enforcers tried to pull a fast one, but the trio merely stared at their wrists in awe.
"To think," Synaptak whispered, "that the legendary weapons forged by Azmuth are being wielded by children."
"The process is complete," Ultimos announced after several minutes of clicking buttons. "Your record is cleared. You are officially pardoned."
"Finally," Tyler sighed. "Now, can we get to the part where we stop Sixsix and Vulkanus? You know, the guys actually destroying the city?"
"Rules are rules, Tyler," Ultimos said, though he looked worried. He checked a radar detector and his face went pale. "Oh no... they've secured Element X and the Vibranium Alloy."
"Bad news," Tyler muttered. "I don't need a PhD in chemistry to know that combination is a planet-cracker."
"Tyler! Ben!" Ultimos looked at them with newfound respect. "We need your strength. Will you join the Galactic Enforcers for this operation?"
"If they go, I go," Max said, stepping out of the Rustbucket with a look of iron determination.
"The Legendary Old Hero, Max Tennyson?!" Synaptak gasped. Ultimos and Tini stared with their mouths open. A legendary Plumber and the wielders of Azmuth's greatest secrets—this family was a walking epic.
"Teleport us," Tyler commanded. "No more wasting time."
Inside the Galactic Enforcer Starship, Gwen was marveling at the view of the Earth from the observation deck. "It's so beautiful," she whispered, pulling Tyler toward the window.
"Yeah, seen it while flying," Tyler replied perfunctorily. He was too focused on the mission.
Ben, meanwhile, was annoyed. "Why did you bring my nerdy cousin up here too?"
"Legendary bloodlines usually run deep, Ben," Ultimos smiled.
In the conference room, the virtual table displayed a simulation of the enemy weapons. Combined, Element X and the Alloy created a portable nuclear singularity.
"It's just a fancy nuke," Tyler said dismissively. "We can handle it."
"Not yet," Synaptak interrupted. "We need to process your temporary memberships and prepare your Enforcer uniforms. Protocol must be followed."
Tyler and Ben exchanged a look of pure exhaustion. Tini stepped toward Tyler, smiling sweetly. "I'll make sure your uniform is the most... 'form-fitting' one we have, Tyler!"
Tyler gasped, a look of genuine disgust crossing his face, while Gwen glared at the Tetramand with surprising hostility.
"Tyler," Ben whispered, leaning in close. "If we wait for their 'protocol,' half the state will be a crater. You know how to use the teleporter, right?"
"I know the controls," Tyler grinned. "Found the cockpit yet?"
"I wouldn't be talking if I hadn't."
While Max distracted the Enforcers by recounting his "Glorious Plumber Deeds," the two brothers slipped into the control room. Tyler's experience as The Glitch-Worm had left him with a deep understanding of alien OS. He quickly localized the radiation signature of Element X.
"Found them. They're in a massive mining facility. Ready?"
"Ready."
WHOOSH!!
A beam of blue light whisked them away, bypassing the Enforcer's bureaucracy entirely.
Inside the dark mine, Sixsix was already glowing with blue energy from the Element X. With a flick of his wrist, he vaporized a group of workers. Vulkanus, bolstered by the Alloy, slammed a fist into a support pillar, causing half the mine to groan.
"Revenge is coming," Vulkanus growled. "First, we kill the brat!"
A blue light landed at the entrance. Two boys stepped out into the dust.
"Tyler, just like the first time," Ben said, raising his watch.
"Together," Tyler agreed.
Red and green light intertwined as the two watches collided, the glare illuminating the dark mine as the transformation sequence began.
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