Pale skin, covered in cracks, with a single purple eye glaring from the center, filled with endless venomous hatred. The Ghostfreak's sharp claws pierced the Feedback's back.
"Heh heh, I'm not Ben~"
A cold glint flashed in the Feedback's eyes. It whipped its slender tail, the plug at its tip aimed squarely at Ghostfreak, erupting with a burst of blue-white lightning.
Ghostfreak scrambled backward, narrowly evading the Feedback's attack.
Just as the Feedback prepared to pursue, a sharp, urgent howl pierced the air from behind.
It was Kevin!
Feedback reacted swiftly, clenching its fist to unleash a blinding burst of electricity before twisting its body and slamming the attack backward.
BOOM!
The ferocious electric fist collided with the scorching flame fist, erupting with a fierce, overwhelming force. Countless currents and sparks shattered around them, even the air itself seemed to wail.
Bearing the scorching heat, the Feedback roared in fury, boosting its output. Surges of electricity surged toward Kevin, like agile snakes, coiling around his arm and rapidly spreading outward.
"Ah!"
Blue electricity swirled around Kevin's entire body, forcing a scream from him.
That damned electricity again!
Suddenly, a familiar aura of coldness emerged from behind Feedback.
Feedback snorted coldly, knocking Kevin back with a single punch. It then leapt, dodging Zs'Skayr's sneak attack, landing beside the red bridge tower.
"Cuz, are you okay?" Gwen ran up from behind, her eyes filled with concern.
Grandpa Max's expression grew grave as he charged toward the Feedback, laser rifle in hand, aiming at the three aliens across the bridge.
Across the shattered bridge stood Zs'Skayr, Ghostfreak, and Kevin 11, each wearing sinister grins, their eyes brimming with mockery and contempt.
Watching Gwen frantically inspecting his injuries, Feedback shook his head with a smile.
"These scrapes are nothing to me. Don't worry."
Though Ghostfreak had ambushed him earlier, its attack power clearly fell short of Zs'Skayr's—likely because it hadn't shed its outer skin yet.
"Lucian, what happened? Why did Ben suddenly attack you?" Grandpa Max frowned, then suddenly widened his eyes.
"Could it be... the Ghostfreak inside Ben's watch has developed self-awareness?"
Feedback stood motionless, his gaze intense, lost in thought.
"Heh heh, this is quite an unexpected bonus~"
Zs'Skayr chuckled wickedly, floating toward the Ghostfreak to examine it closely.
The Ghostfreak remained in its transformed state, the Omnitrix emblem still embedded in its chest.
"What's going on? Did Ben Tennyson suddenly lose his mind and decide to defect to us?" Kevin stared intently at the Ghostfreak beside him, utterly baffled.
"No, I don't think so~" Zs'Skayr's violet eyes widened as he chuckled darkly. "Every single gene within us Ectonurites develops independent consciousness. Even when absorbed into the Omnitrix, it's no exception."
"During my time inside Lucian's watch, I was constantly plotting my escape—day and night..."
Kevin scoffed coldly. "Seems you lot are the real freaks."
"Same here~" Zs'Skayr's voice was hoarse as he turned to the Ghostfreak. "So, you've developed self-awareness too?"
"Yes~" Ghostfreak nodded, its form ethereal and ghostly, pale and terrifying.
"What's your name?" Zs'Skayr asked.
"I'm Zs'Skayr~" Ghostfreak chuckled.
"Zs'Skayr... Huh... What?!" Zs'Skayr froze, shouting, "I'm Zs'Skayr! Don't you dare impersonate me!"
Ghostfreak scratched its head. "In my memories, I truly was called Zs'Skayr~"
"No, you can't use that name." Zs'Skayr's eyes flashed with menace as he leaned in close, threatening, "Zs'Skayr is mine alone. You take another name~ Or I'll reduce you to dust right now."
"Why? Why should you steal my name~" Ghostfreak retorted defiantly.
"Because I'm stronger than you!"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Zs'Skayr grabbed Ghostfreak by the head and slammed it into the ground, sending spiderweb-like cracks rippling across the surface.
Ghostfreak struggled desperately to rise, but his strength was no match for his opponent's. He couldn't break free.
"Heh, in your current state, you're no match for me~" Zs'Skayr roared with laughter.
His power had fully recovered to its peak—nothing like when he'd first escaped the watch. The Ghostfreak before him hadn't even broken through its shell yet. How could it possibly stand a chance?
This scene was all witnessed by the Feedback nearby.
"Could it be... they're all independent entities?" the Feedback wondered inwardly. This was getting tricky.
Two Ghostfreaks appearing simultaneously, plus that Kevin 11—even Vilgax himself would find this headache-inducing.
[The Ghostfreaks in the Omnitrix Replica have genes replicated from the original Omnitrix. Theoretically, their genetic makeup is nearly identical, but they are independent entities with no mutual communication.]
[Consider this analogy: when an earthworm is severed in half by a blade, the two regrown segments develop independent consciousness. Though sharing identical genes, their connection is severed. They won't share memories or thoughts, and may even clash violently.]
After hearing the System's explanation, Feedback understood instantly.
So the Ghostfreak DNA in Ben's watch was copied from his own watch. The two watches weren't connected; they merely shared the same genetic blueprint.
It's worth noting that the Omnitrix replica's Ghostfreak DNA was copied before Lucian recalibrated his Omnitrix—meaning it's the Ghostfreak from the original watch.
That's why their appearances differ.
Zs'Skayr's appearance matched the Omnitrix-calibrated version—his skin was more intact, featuring a black-and-white striped tail. The original Ghostfreak, however, remained white, as its outer layer hadn't been torn open yet.
"Now, who is the true king?"
Zs'Skayr grinned, pinning Ghostfreak to the ground and grinding him underfoot.
"I... I surrender..." Ghostfreak felt utterly humiliated, yet powerless to resist.
In his current state, he was no match for Zs'Skayr and had no choice but to concede defeat.
But once he regained his full strength... heh...
Zs'Skayr snorted coldly, releasing Ghostfreak. "Remember this: you are no longer Zs'Skayr. You are now Qyskaar."
"Qyskaar?" Ghostfreak gave a sinister chuckle. "Fine. I like that name~~"
"Blah blah blah, you're so noisy!" Kevin 11 strode forward, glaring fiercely at the Feedback.
"Lucian, we're not done settling this. Don't you dare run away!"
Just as the Feedback was about to speak, the Omnitrix on the Ghostfreak's chest suddenly began to flicker...
...
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