"Rath!"
The once-massive Four Arms transformed in an instant into a standing tiger, its gaze fierce and clearly not to be trifled with. Beyond its powerful muscles, a black claw protruded from the back of its hand, reminiscent of a knuckle duster.
"Cool! This alien looks seriously strong!" Ben's eyes lit up.
Grandpa Max raised an eyebrow. "That looks like an Appoplexian, but... why isn't it wearing clothes?" He recalled members of this species possessed an intense sense of modesty—yet this Appoplexian warrior was completely naked?!
"Go, Rath! Beat him into an alien squid!" Gwen cheered excitedly, rallying for Lucian's new hero.
At that moment, Vilgax in his Power Form approached, his arms explosively muscular, veins bulging like twisted dragons. He moved like a terrifying flood beast, advancing slowly.
"Another new alien?" Vilgax stepped over charred mechanical wreckage, his eyes filled with contempt and disdain. "Heh. No matter what you transform into, you won't be my match."
Rath kept his head bowed, silent, his expression hidden as his chest rose and fell slightly.
"What's the matter? Scared out of your wits?" Vilgax stepped close, chuckling. "Hand over the Omnitrix now, and I might spare you. Regretting it now? Too late!"
Rath remained utterly silent.
"Fine, fine." Vilgax waved his hand, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Hand over the Omnitrix, and I might consider letting you go out with dignity." As he spoke, he extended his clawed hand, reaching for Rath's chest.
"Cuz, get out of the way!" Ben shouted anxiously. What was wrong with his cousin's new hero? Standing completely still—had it frozen up?
Just as Vilgax was about to touch the Omnitrix, a massive hand slammed him violently away.
"Listen up, you arrogant stinking squid! Lord Rath is furious now, and the consequences will be severe!" Rath raised his head, his eyes nearly bursting with fire.
"What's going on?" Vilgax froze in shock.
Rath unleashed a torrent of profanity, spittle flying as he pointed at Vilgax and ranted nonstop. "Listen up, you Squid-Face, alien octopus! If you dare steal my Omnitrix, Rath will make you regret it! You'll crawl out of this planet on your knees!"
%#...￥##
Sizzle sizzle....
A blood-red inferno raged like a living hell, surging flames leaping wildly. They scorched Rath's paw pads, sizzling with the sound of flesh burning.
"Ooh!" Rath leapt up, pointing at where he'd stood moments before. "Listen up! You nonstop dancing little flame! If you don't stop right now, Big Rath here is gonna get mad! I'll shove you into water and drown you alive!!!"
This scene left everyone staring wide-eyed, frozen in place. After berating Vilgax, Rath completely ignored him and turned his fury on the flames beneath his feet. He stomped the ground relentlessly, seemingly determined to extinguish the bothersome fire.
"Whoa, this Rath is seriously temperamental!!" Ben couldn't help but exclaim. He loved this kind of straightforward Alien Hero.
Gwen wiped sweat from her forehead. "I have a feeling this alien is going to be insanely powerful."
Vilgax snorted coldly and strode before Rath. His massive frame towered over the opponent as he boomed, "All bluster. Hand over the Omnitrix now, or you'll all die today."
Rath withdrew his foot from the flames and raised his head menacingly, sending a shiver down Vilgax's spine. He extended a claw, pointing it directly at Vilgax's chin like a raised middle finger—utterly mocking.
"Don't think just because you're taller than Old Man Rath that he's scared of you! The taller and stronger you are, the harder you'll fall!"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the frenzied Rath let out a mighty roar, leaping forward to pounce on Vilgax.
"Let me go! Appoplexian!" Vilgax shouted.
But Rath clung to him like stubborn glue, hammering away wildly and even smashing his head against Vilgax's squid-like face.
Vilgax's rage exploded. Humiliated beyond measure, he grabbed Rath with both massive hands and, with a violent swing, hurled him across the ground. Rath rolled several times before stopping.
"Alright, you slimy green octopus! How dare you hit Big Rath!"
Rath snarled, his eyes blazing with feral fury as he charged again, unafraid of death.
Vilgax raised his colossal arm, its force terrifying, and brought it down like a hammer, intent on crushing the foul-mouthed tiger beneath him.
"Listen up! Hand over the Omnitrix willingly, and I'll grant you a swift end," Vilgax growled back, unwilling to be outdone.
Rath, who had been mid-charge, suddenly stopped short, claws digging deep furrows into the ground. The abrupt halt narrowly spared him from Vilgax's crushing blow.
Rath's face twisted in outrage. "What?! You dare copy Lord Rath's lines! You arrogant little octopus! Rath's gonna rip off your tentacles and feed them to the dogs!!"
Vilgax snorted coldly. "Try me. I'm not afraid of you."
Rath let out a furious roar, his movements sharp and unpredictable as he dodged Vilgax's flurry of punches, circling behind him.
"Moon Scoop!"
He leapt into the air and kicked Vilgax squarely on the backside.
"You—!" Vilgax felt a sharp sting in his rear, his anger flaring even hotter. He hadn't expected his opponent's combat skills to be this sharp.
But Rath wasn't done.
The instant Vilgax turned, Rath leapt onto his shoulders, wrapped his legs around his neck, and slammed a fist into one of Vilgax's ears.
"Double Piercing Ear!"
.....
Thump! Thump! Thump!
With unpredictable movements and relentless trick strikes, Rath drove Vilgax backward again and again, leaving him seething with frustration.
"So freaking cool! This big tiger is totally awesome!" Ben's eyes gleamed as he gave Rath a thumbs-up from afar.
"Cuz is so aggressive, but compared to how he usually acts, it's such a contrast," Gwen said with a soft laugh.
Her Cuz was normally calm and composed. Seeing him as the wild, raging Rath, she couldn't help but find it kind of cute.
"Who'd have thought that ruthless Vilgax would ever take a beating?" Grandpa Max laughed heartily. For now, it seemed Rath might really defeat him—hopefully without any more surprises...
Amidst the blazing inferno, Rath fought like a martial arts master, weaving through attacks and unleashing a storm of strikes.
"Black Tiger Heart-Piercing!"
"Monkey Steals Peach!"
"Divine Dragon Tail Strike!"
"One Thousand Years of Pain!"
"Iron Head Strike!"
"Tornado Destroys Parking Lot!"
"Crow Takes Flight..."