Kraab's massive pincer suddenly contracted inward, yanking back the hovering SixSix with tremendous force!
The laser cannon swiveled downward, and a searing beam of light sliced through the air directly beneath Asher!
The scorching energy passed so close to his thighs that he could feel the intense heat radiating from it. The beam carried a hint of charring power that made his skin tingle with warning.
BOOM!
The laser struck the cave wall behind him, exploding a small crater into the stone. The deafening impact finally snapped Asher out of his momentary paralysis.
He steadied his breathing and resumed his high-speed sprint forward.
"Asher, are you alright?" Gwen called from behind him, her voice tight with concern.
"I'm fine," Asher replied, forcing himself to take a deep breath.
"Damn it! If there was better lighting in here, I would've blasted those alien freaks right in the head with my air gun!" Ben shouted indignantly.
"Yeah, this time I'll help by throwing rocks at them!" Gwen added, her frustration matching her cousin's intensity.
Their fierce loyalty in defending him quickly dispelled the lingering fear in Asher's chest, replacing it with warmth. He smiled softly and said, "Thank you."
After those words of gratitude, his pace accelerated even further.
Behind them, the conflict between SixSix and Kraab intensified, the sounds of their battle echoing endlessly through the tunnels. This internal strife among the bounty hunters created the perfect opportunity for their escape.
They pressed forward relentlessly.
A ray of light gradually appeared ahead, growing brighter with each step until the exit leading outside came into full view.
Asher burst out of the mine entrance and found himself standing on a canyon platform!
Behind him, Gwen, Ben, and Max emerged one by one.
"Huff... huff..."
Asher stopped running, his chest heaving as he wiped the sweat from his forehead with his wrist. After taking several deep breaths, he surveyed their surroundings to assess the terrain.
They stood on what appeared to be a canyon, though in reality it was an artificial wooden platform built precariously on the edge of a cliff.
Except for the ground beneath their feet, the area was surrounded by a bottomless abyss on all sides. There was no escape route visible.
"The cable car is over there!" Max pointed ahead urgently, his voice cutting through the tension.
Asher followed his grandfather's outstretched finger and spotted a cable line suspended at the edge of the platform. A single cable car hung from the wire, offering passage to the mine on the opposite side.
"Go!" Asher commanded without hesitation, pulling Gwen and Ben forward as all four of them rushed toward the cable car.
Max quickly vaulted over the cable car's railing, followed by Ben with Max's assistance.
"Asher, you go next," Gwen said, stepping aside to make room.
"Stop joking around, Gwen," Asher replied, his expression calm despite the gravity of the situation. His tone carried the weight of absolute certainty, discussing this life-or-death matter as casually as if they were deciding who would go through a door first.
He had always believed that with great power comes great responsibility. Although most of the time he upheld this principle to protect the family and friends he cared about, the conviction remained unshakeable.
"Okay, Asher." Gwen bit her lip and nodded, recognizing that now was not the time for prolonged debate. She understood the urgency of their situation.
Max extended his arms again, grasping Gwen's hands firmly and pulling her smoothly over the railing.
"It's your turn, Asher." Max immediately reached out toward his grandson, his eyes filled with determination. This time, nothing would force Asher to face these dangers alone.
"Okay, Grandpa!" Seeing Max's resolute expression, Asher raised his own arms to grip his grandfather's forearm, preparing to leverage himself over the railing.
CRASH!!!
The ground trembled violently beneath them.
Kraab's massive mechanical body burst through the cave entrance, his immense weight causing the entire wooden platform to groan and creak ominously. One of his eyes, which should have been golden like the other, had turned blood-red like a beast's. That crimson optic locked onto Asher with murderous intent. "You won't escape! The first one I'm going to kill is you, kid!"
WHIRR!
SixSix flew out immediately after, hovering in mid-air as he raised his laser weapon and aimed directly at the cable car's support line.
It was clear the armored mercenary intended to sever the cable to prevent their escape.
He wasn't just a mindless brute focused solely on attacking.
In those two or three seconds, Asher's mind raced at lightning speed, analyzing their dire situation with cold precision.
If he boarded the cable car now, then Grandpa Max and the others would definitely be shot down along with him.
Therefore, if he stayed behind and didn't board the cable car, the rest of his family could escape safely.
His gaze returned to the cable car, meeting Max's concerned and reluctant eyes.
Asher felt a sharp pang of sorrow and unwillingness pierce his heart.
If forced to choose between losing his family or losing his own life, the answer became painfully clear.
"Grandpa, you go first." Asher released his grip on Max's arm and slowly lowered himself back onto the platform, facing Kraab and SixSix with a calm expression that betrayed no fear.
A person becomes truly fearless when protecting what they care about most.
"Asher! No!" Ben and Gwen both lunged toward the edge of the cable car, lying flat against the railing and desperately reaching out, trying to grab Asher by force.
But their arms simply weren't long enough to bridge the gap.
"Your watch is still red, " Gwen's voice cracked with desperation.
"Go!" After a moment of visible internal struggle, Max forced out that single word and pushed the cable car with his palm.
The vehicle immediately began sliding rapidly along the cable with the power of its pulley system, carrying them swiftly toward the opposite side of the canyon.
Sunlight streamed down onto Asher's small frame, casting his shadow long across the wooden platform like the silhouette of a lone hero standing against impossible odds.
"...What is this?"
Tetrax had been concealing himself in the darkness near the cave entrance. Witnessing this scene caused his heart to surge with profound shock that he couldn't suppress.
He stared at Asher's determined and composed demeanor, finding it impossible to maintain his usual emotional detachment.
This was merely a child, yet he could face danger with the courage of a seasoned warrior! Even more impressively, he could assess the situation and make the optimal decision under such extreme pressure.
Calm, strong, and selfless. This child was undoubtedly the most suitable candidate for the Omnitrix. There was no one better qualified.
If things truly went south, Tetrax would have no choice but to intervene and help Asher.
"I must admit, as a human child, you possess remarkable courage. I'll give you a quick death," Kraab said, his mechanical voice almost respectful despite the threat.
SixSix's laser weapon remained trained on Asher, and without any hesitation, the mercenary fired a concentrated blue energy beam directly at him.
The alien disdained wasting time on what he considered a helpless human target.
Asher's pupils dilated as the blue light reflected in his eyes, growing brighter and more intense!
At the critical moment, he rolled hard to the right. The sound of the laser exploding beside him caused his ears to ring with a high-pitched whine.
"Die!" As Asher completed his roll and quickly pushed himself into a crouch, Kraab's enormous mechanical form had already closed the distance. The bounty hunter raised his massive pincer high above his head.
The scarlet glow in Kraab's damaged eye resembled a venomous snake, penetrating and utterly merciless.
BEEP~
The Omnitrix's cooldown finally completed!
Asher's fingers clawed at the Omnitrix's faceplate with desperate force, then slammed his palm down on the watch face.
He had no time for apologies to the device. This was a life-or-death emergency!
He struck the screen with his front hand, and with his back foot, Kraab's massive pincer descended toward his head with a burst of displaced air, creating a whistling sound.
The claw was about to strike!
"Danger!" Even Tetrax couldn't help but lean forward from his hiding place, on the verge of intervening.
FLASH!!
In that instant, a brilliant green light erupted from beneath Kraab's descending pincer, blazing like a symbol of triumph returning to reclaim victory!
"If I don't beat you into the ground until you're begging for mercy on your knees, I won't be called Asher Tennyson anymore!" A powerful masculine voice roared from within the emerald radiance.
Tetrax was a mixture of surprise and satisfaction, recognizing the transformation. The Petrosapian form was indeed an excellent choice for this situation.