Alright, Fanfiction, we need to chat a little bit.
I expected Power Girl to ruffle some feathers, but I have to say, I was surprised by how many of the reviews here, specifically, as opposed to my AO3 upload, were against her inclusion. Perhaps it's that I have smaller reach there, having just been there for two years as opposed to seven-ish here. Or maybe FFN's reputation for terrible, unnecessarily rude reviewers is in full effect; regardless, almost every review I got here complained about Power Girl being, y'know, a girl. Normally, I would simply ignore comments like these - I've had my fair share of angry reviews in the past, even a handful of death threats - but I think there's some genuine hypocrisy on display going on here, and I do think that deserves to be called out.
So, apologies about the following diatribe, feel free to skip ahead to the chapter if this doesn't concern you, but let's expand on that.
Admittedly, the idea behind Power Girl initially came from a small misconception on my part; when I came up with it, I was basing my knowledge of the Omnitrix's Scan Mode solely on the original series, in which the scan seems to function in such a way that the resulting Omnitrix transformation is practically identical to the scanned alien, aside from a few minor cosmetic changes. Given this knowledge, I assumed the same would apply if the only Kryptonian in this universe, Kara, were to be scanned.
Of course, as I wrote the story, I wiki-dove a lot and discovered later events in the series and author statements had expanded on the Scan function; the process is a little more complicated, in that it recombines the source DNA with Ben's and makes the transformation a "prime specimen" of its species. The only instance of this being visually reflected in the series, though, is Kickin' Hawk; all the other scanned aliens look practically if not completely identical to their source subjects.
Something that I also noticed is that all the scanned aliens throughout the entire original continuity have been male; no female aliens were ever scanned. Now, given this fact, the rather inconsistent portrayal of the Omnitrix's functions (it gives a transformation what it needs to survive...unless you're Ripjaws and need to breathe above water, apparently), the idea that the Omnitrix really couldn't care less about its wielder's gender (as exemplified by Big Chill literally giving birth and being considered to be "sort of" or outright female by several showrunners), my personal opinion that Ben's Kryptonian form just being his own body but with superpowers couldn't possibly be more boring, the homage to comics' Power Girl, and the greatly expanded potential for interesting storylines between Kara and Ben in this universe, I decided that my interpretation of the Omnitrix's Scan function in this universe wasn't much of a reach, if at all.
Clearly, a rather vocal number of you didn't agree. Which, fair, I don't expect everyone to love everything I make. But something a little more annoying is going on here, I think.
To be clear, the way that it works in this universe is as follows: the Omnitrix scans a DNA source on contact (preferably from a living source), and fully sequences the species' genome from it, and either integrates it into the Codon Stream (which you may recall is an interdimensional repository in this multiverse) as a new entry or complements existing entries from other dimensions. The transformation, however, is derived directly from the source's DNA, and becomes a mirror image of the original subject, albeit with some cosmetic changes (most often eye and hair color, but subject to change as it applies to the species' features), and empowered by the Omnitrix to be at peak physical form and use its unique abilties to their fullest potential.
Ben becoming Power Girl is odd, no doubt. But honestly, this is such a tame transformation compared to some of the ones canon Ben has in his arsenal, right? In a world where Goop, Bloxx, Frankenstrike, Terraspin, Pesky Dust, and The (actual) Worst exist, Power Girl's a deal breaker? Hell, if y'all were so concerned with adhering to canonicity, why didn't anyone pipe up when I literally made it so Alien X is a Celestial and powers this Omnitrix? Why didn't anyone say anything when I stated Big Chill and Heatblast were nonbinary in this universe, or that Goop was entirely genderless? Why didn't anyone complain that I gave Ben permanent Master Control like, a month into having the Omnitrix? I think he literally only timed out once during a chapter!
Have you actually been reading this story?
I can't tell you how frustrating it was to work for a month to deliver on my most ambitious Fanfiction project to date, only for almost every comment on this damn site to complain that I gave Ben a form with breasts. Is it transphobia? Not that it should be an issue, but Ben isn't trans in this universe, and that's not gonna change because he can temporarily transform into a woman. Am I ruining your power fantasy? Honestly, if I got Kryptonian powers, I wouldn't give two shits about what I looked like. I don't know what it is, but I sincerely hope you can look a little past your preconceived notions and give Power Girl a chance.
If you can't, then I'm sorry, but please don't read my story. It's obviously not for you, and I don't need your angry comment. Move along and find another story if it's such an issue - or better yet, write one yourself. Make your own choices, make Ben's Kryptonian form look like Ben 10,000, give him an eight pack and a sick beard if you want, I don't care - just don't expect me to change anything about my story because you disagree with my decisions.
Spoiler: Power Girl isn't even gonna be the last female or otherwise non-male form Ben gets. It's a big universe out there, Multiverse even, and the Omnitrix was made for walking in other people's shoes.
Anyway, TL:DR, Power Girl is here to stay and I don't want to hear any more complaints about it. Any further comments on the subject will simply be met with a request not to read my story any further. If you're sticking around after all this, I do hope you enjoy this chapter!
It goes against every damn instinct Power Girl has not to panic when the atmosphere thickens enough to push back against the Rust Bucket, engulfing the vehicle, Iron Man, and the Kryptonian duo in flames.
It's fascinating to experience, though - to live life as Supergirl does, day to day, even if it's only temporary. The fire roars all around her, completely enveloping her body like she's chosen to stand under a rocket booster, and yet she can barely feel it; she's pretty sure she's felt warmer as a human taking cookies out of the oven at Julie's. This, at least, is a much more pleasant way to test her powers than lifting Vilgax's ship into orbit; the herculean task took so much out of her that she had to actively fight the Omnitrix's safeguards in order to avoid shedding the Kryptonian form in what would've been a very awkward place.
Their fiery descent subsides quickly enough, giving way to the frigid contrast of the upper atmosphere; the Rust Bucket has clearly seen better days, coughing and sputtering along as their flight path stabilizes. She fears that the old girl will fall apart in mid-air, but the RV manages to hold together long enough to reach the outskirts of Arcadia. Their landing is rough, and they can all feel a number of things breaking within the vehicle, but the Rust Bucket finally lurches to a stop.
Everyone files out of the vehicle, more than a little dazed. "Well, that was horrible. Let's never go to space again, please." -Stark grumbles, letting go of the vehicle.
Supergirl smirks. "You didn't have to come with, Tony." -she teases.
"Still not used to sitting tight and letting others do the job, admittedly." -he says, turning to the others. "You kids alright?"
"We'll be fine." -Kevin says. Gwen merely gives them a thumbs-up, as she's still exhausted from her part in stopping the dreadnought from crashing. Hala's stayed behind, coordinating with S.W.O.R.D. to monitor the Chimeran Hammer and keep the grievously damaged vessel in a stable orbit - and, of course, to finally receive some much needed medical attention for her many injuries.
"So the ship's good, the reinforcements are cut off, and the people of Arcadia don't have a giant space laser hanging over their heads anymore." -Stark sums up. "Anything we're forgetting?"
A roar and a lightning strike in the distance answers his question. "Vilgax." -Power Girl scowls.
"How do you wanna handle this?" -Supergirl asks. She notes that the Kryptonian is avoiding her gaze - probably back to being uncomfortable with Power Girl's presence now that the immediate crisis has been averted - so she sheds the transformation.
Ben stretches with a wince, the soreness from lifting the dreadnought sticking with him even as a human. "Vilgax is cursed with immortality. Nothing we can do right now will take him down for good." -he explains. "But...even if we could, I'm not sure we should."
They all look at him like he's grown a third eye - which probably comes with at least some of his currently locked transformations. Stark crosses his arms. "Kid, you realize that monster razed half of your hometown, right?"
"Trust me, I know what he's done." -Ben retorts, darkly. "But I also know why he did it."
The Avengers looks skeptical, so he explains, as succinctly as possible; the noble warrior that Vilgax used to be, how his homeworld was ravaged by the Black Order, his transformation into the ruthless warlord he is today, his history with Max, and the plans he has for the Omnitrix, all in an effort to destroy the Order and its insanely powerful leader.
Kara seems pensive - and Ben has an idea of why, given the Kryptonian's garbled memories of her ruined homeworld he experienced as he became Power Girl - but Stark remains more or less unmoved. "Okay, so, definitely a tragic backstory." -he allows. "But it sounds like he has a real hankerin' for interstellar conquest, kid. That's not the kind of person you let off the hook, no matter the sob story."
"And I'm not planning to. I know first-hand how dangerous he is." -Ben argues. "But that danger could work for us, in the long run."
Kara frowns. "What do you mean?"
"The Black Order that wiped out Vilgax's people is the same force behind the Chitauri that invaded New York a month ago." -Ben says, gravely. "And if Vilgax told me the truth - which I do believe he did - it's only a matter of time before they try again, and again, and again, until they succeed in their goal of eradicating half of Earth's life forms, the same as they've done to countless worlds in the past eight centuries or so."
Stark pales. "That's impossible." -he breathes. "I nuked their mothership."
Azmuth's hologram pops up on Ben's shoulder. "Hmph. If a single nuclear warhead was all it took to defeat the Mad Titan, human, the Black Order would've fallen long ago." -he chides. "Loathe as I am to admit it, Vilgax's insane gambit is much closer to what it'll take to defeat them. Not that I will ever allow my creation to be abused the way he intended, of course." -he says, giving Ben a pointed stare.
Tony blinks. "Why is there a tiny talking frog man on your shoulder, kid?"
The Galvan's echo waves him off. "I am Azmuth, First Thinker of the Galvan, smartest being in galactic history - even posthumously." -he says, maybe a tad arrogantly. "I created the Omnitrix, the device that allows Ben to adopt the various alien forms he's used to protect this backwater planet. You would do well to respect your betters, human."
Ben blushes. "Azmuth, shut up, you're embarrassing me in front of the superheroes."
Stark shrugs. "Don't worry about it, Ben. Contrary to popular belief, my ego isn't fragile enough that the hologram of a dead toad can offend me."
"More importantly, you're a hero yourself." -Kara says. "All of you are."
Stuart winces. "I'd really rather not be, myself. Just the chauffeur, please and thank you."
Supergirl chuckles, then turns to Ben. "So I reiterate; how do you wanna handle this?"
Ben smirks. "I think I have an idea." -he says, bursting into light, Diamondhead standing in his place.
Azmuth huffs, his projection readjusting to the added height. "A bad one." -he grumbles. "Though smart, I'll give you that."
"Coming from the First Thinker of the Galvan, smartest being in galactic history - even posthumously?" -Tony jeers. "You should be honored, kid. Er, Diamondhead."
"Don't know about honored, but I am surprised." -the Petrosapien notes. "You really think it'll work, Azmuth?"
The First Thinker nods. "I do, though you may want to illuminate your compatriots."
Diamondhead explains his idea; judging by the varying degrees of incredulity he finds reflected back at him, he's pretty sure it's gonna be a good one.
"Somehow, I doubt Vilgax is gonna go along with this plan." -Kevin says, sarcastically.
"That's where we come in, I take it." -Supergirl says.
"Some of you, at least." -Diamondhead agrees. "Taking the Chimeran Hammer away didn't deactivate the drones already in Arcadia, so we still need to take those out."
Iron Man's helmet reforms around his head. "I'm on it. Make sure the squid suffers a bit extra, just for me, 'kay?" -he says, then blasts off towards the town.
"I'll stick with the Rust Bucket, kiddos." -Stuart says. "Try and get her moving again - as far away from the angry Chimeran warlord as possible, yeah?"
Diamondhead chuckles. "Good idea, boss." -he says. "The rest of us have a very simple mission. Let's defeat Vilgax, once and for all."
"I still think this is completely unnecessary." -Julie says, disapprovingly, watching Agent Coulson slip into a somewhat ill-fitting S.H.I.E.L.D. uniform. "I'm telling you, the Avengers would be happy to have you back."
Coulson sighs as he dons the black and grey helmet with the opaque blue visor - probably won't hold up to close scrutiny, but it should let him get away from the Avengers unnoticed. "Even if I agreed that I should reveal myself, this really isn't the time." -he says, leaving no room for further argument. "How's Claire holding up?" -he asks.
Julie sighs, holding a cool, wet towel to Claire's forehead. The sorceress lost consciousness shortly after finishing the evacuation; the volume has considerably slowed down, but the oily darkness leaking from her eyes, ears, nose, and mouth still trickles out, evaporating into smoke after pooling on the ground beneath the stone slab she lies upon - how she hasn't choked yet, Julie has no idea.
"Skathe-Hrün's darkness clutches at her soul." -Vendel says, gravely. "A few more minutes, and she would have certainly been lost. Most of the corruption can be purged, but channeling so much dark magic has a cost - one very few humans can afford to pay."
The old Troll sighs tiredly, looking every bit the centuries-old creature he is. "Claire is one of the lucky ones. She was already attuned to the staff's darkness, so she will recover from this ordeal. Even so, she will bear scars."
Coulson looks down at the unconscious nineteen-year old. "She's not the only one." -he laments, staring at Julie's prosthetic. "You shouldn't need to put your lives in danger like this. You're kids, you should be fooling around and having fun, not fighting a war."
"In fairness, we brought this war on ourselves." -Julie admits. "If we hadn't taken up the Omnitrix, with all the baggage it carries, this wouldn't be happening."
Vendel hums. "I think you will find, young Miss Julie, that when it comes to artifacts such as the Omnitrix, there is little in the way of actual choice involved. These events have a way of unfolding, regardless of whether or not you invite them to happen."
Julie narrows her eyes. "Sounds a little too deterministic for my tastes."
"The Omnitrix was already in Arcadia before you were ever aware of it, was it not?" -Vendel asks. "It was only a matter of time before the alien warlord came looking for it - and your mate would not have known to wear it, to protect you all from the invader's wrath."
"I think what Vendel is trying to say is that at least you were able to choose to prepare for Vilgax's invasion." -Coulson says. "Though again, you shouldn't have had to. S.H.I.E.L.D. is in desperate need of an overhaul; the world is changing very rapidly, and it's honestly leaving us behind."
Julie purses her lips. "I guess." -she says, noncommittally. "But wait, how did you know the Omnitrix was here, Vendel?"
The old goat huffs. "I know Maxwell Tennyson lives in Arcadia, and I know some about his past as a hero among the stars - given one bearing his name currently wields the Omnitrix, it was simply a reasonable assumption to make. Quite the storied human, that one. Powerful, too."
Julie's eyes widen. "You knew Grandpa Max?"
"We only met once." -he admits. "As one of the few remaining Troll leaders in the world, it is my job to be aware of potential threats to our survival. Trolls are safe in secrecy, but there remain a few humans aware of our existence, and a not insignificant amount of them would love nothing more than to hunt us down to the last."
Vendel holds up a hand, intercepting Julie's next question. "Before you ask, no, Maxwell was not one of them. In fact, he is to thank for allowing the location of Trollmarket to remain a secret from some of our human enemies. Decades ago, he worked alongside our previous Trollhunter, Kanjigar the Courageous, to destroy a contingent of scouts from an enemy faction that nearly discovered our underground sanctuary."
"Anyone S.H.I.E.L.D. might know?" -Phil asks, crossing his arms. "Maybe we could help keep them off your backs a little more...permanently."
Vendel snorts, which kinda sounds like an amused bull is in the room. "Morbid, though appreciated." -he says. "They call themselves the Forever Knights; for nearly a thousand years, they've dedicated themselves to hunting down threats to mankind of an exclusively non-human nature. Whether it be creatures of a magical nature, like us Trolls, or visitors from the stars, they have made it their mission to eliminate us." -he explains. "Fortunately, we have been able to evade their notice since migrating to America, aside from the small incident Maxwell helped us resolve."
Julie shakes her head. "Man, what didn't Max do? At this rate, I'd be surprised if I ran into anyone whose life he didn't personally change."
Coulson smirks. "That's just the kind of person Max is; I'm just glad it runs in the family...even if it skipped a generation."
She smiles softly. "Yeah...that's a Tennyson for you." -she agrees.
The S.H.I.E.L.D. agent looks to the Troll elder. "Alright, let's start working out how to get the Arcadians back topside so they don't run into your people."
Judging by the amount of alien blood around the battlefield, Vilgax must've gone through several bodies' worth of regenerations.
The warlord looks exhausted, driven to his knees, but he still glares at the Avengers, assembled around him. Ben almost feels bad, jogging up to the nearly defeated warlord, but the sentiment goes away rather quickly - he is, after all, surrounded by the ruins of an entire neighborhood.
Captain America walks up to him. "Ben Tennyson, I take it?"
Ben nods, trying his damnedest not to let show just how starstruck he is. "That's me, yeah."
"Great job with the alien ship." -Rogers praises him. "Though it looks like we still have one more loose end to consider." -he nods back at the warlord. "He's been like this for a couple of minutes - not sure if the fight's gone out of him, or if he's just getting ready for another round."
An emerald flash turns Ben into Diamondhead. Rogers can't hide his surprise, taking a step back and raising his indestructible shield slightly for a second before he realizes what's happened. "Let me try and handle this one." -Diamondhead requests. "If it doesn't work, you guys can try to figure out a more permanent solution."
The Captain looks into his solid, amber-colored eyes. Whatever he finds there makes him nod after a moment. Diamondhead approaches the beaten warlord, Gwen and Kevin a step behind.
"Tennyson…" -he hisses, tentacles dripping with ichor. "Here to snatch victory away from your fellow warriors?" -he says, bitterly.
Diamondhead shrugs. "We all did our part today. I'm just here to put an end to this battle."
The warlord huffs. Diamondhead sighs. "This didn't need to happen, Vilgax." -he retorts. "We could've all been on the same side, fighting the Black Order as a unified front."
Vilgax scoffs. "Spare me your mournful retrospective, child." -he says, derisively. "Even with all of the power you and your fellow heroes wield, your unwillingness to sacrifice a few innocents for the greater good is nothing but a weakness - one Thanos will undoubtedly exploit. And unlike myself, he has more than enough power to kill you for it."
"I guess we'll find out sooner or later." -Diamondhead says. "But you won't be around to see your crazy plan unfold."
"Indeed? I didn't think you'd be this dense, Tennyson." -Vilgax drawls. "I've told you, and you've seen it for yourself: I can't be killed."
"And I'm not gonna try." -Diamondhead shakes his head. "Even if I could I...don't think I would - especially not now that I know why you wanted the Omnitrix in the first place. Maybe I'm as naive as you say, but that's just not the kind of hero I wanna be."
The warlord's eyes narrow. "Am I to walk away, then? What are you scheming now, human?"
The Petrosapien crosses his arms. "Don't get me wrong, Vilgax. I may respect your motives, but I won't ignore the crimes you've committed today, the lives and livelihoods you've taken away. We're putting you away - hopefully for a very long time."
The Chimera cackles. "Are you, now? So what manner of imprisonment does the great Ben Tennyson have in store for me? You'd best make sure it's durable, boy...none have been able to contain me before for long."
Diamondhead thrusts his hand forward, a bunch of crystals forming on his palm. "Oh, I doubt you'll bust out of this one." -he smirks. "Petrosapien crystal. Even if it wasn't one of the most durable materials in the known galaxy, its unique properties should be more than enough to stop you from wreaking any more havoc."
A couple of Vilgax's tentacles twitch. "You're bluffing." -he says, after a moment. "That won't hold me."
Azmuth, popping up on Diamondhead's shoulder, hums. "Oh, even I might have doubted it, Vilgax, until you yourself confirmed its effectiveness. Petrosapien crystal completely impedes the flow of tachyons - anything encased within is rendered timeless, unaging. A feature engineered and forcibly imposed on them by my people, the better for them to be our immortal guardians." -he says, shaking his head. "Such is the gravity of our crime in uplifting their species, and why they went mad and turned against us."
"And that's how Myaxx is still around after a hundred thousand years." -Diamondhead nods. "We can imprison you, keep you from hurting anyone else...and toss you at the Black Order when the time is right."
Vilgax frowns. "Azmuth...so you live?" -he wonders. "Have you two been playing me this entire time, Tennyson? Trick me into becoming your war hound, is that it?"
Diamondhead scoffs. "There aren't any schemes or tricks going on here; you came and invaded our home and we defeated you. That's it." -he says, exasperated. "This is me giving you a choice, Vilgax - you can accept your imprisonment, try to atone and get your revenge when the time comes to take on Thanos...or I can let S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers decide your fate."
"Gotta say, I'm feeling like flinging warlords into the sun right about now." -Supergirl says, sarcastically.
"It's your choice, Vilgax." -Diamondhead says. "What'll it be?"
Vilgax narrows his eyes. He surveys the champions, standing firm in opposition against him. "This choice is no choice at all." -Vilgax growls. "To challenge the Black Order with anything less than overwhelming force is to forfeit your life."
He rises to his feet, albeit no less exhausted than before. "Your optimistic nonsense has no place in this war. I thought you a sensible, pragmatic warrior, boy, but clearly, you are just as senselessly idealistic as your predecessor."
Vilgax closes his fist, his eyes blazing with power. "I will not surrender to you, Tennyson - not today, and not tomorrow. I choose death - yours, that I may take the Omnitrix off your corpse!"
Vilgax lunges forward, fast as ever, his metal claw feverishly reaching for the emblem on Diamondhead's chest. The Petrosapien readies himself, but Kevin beats him to it; his skin is a banded mess of red, white, and blue, and when he blocks the Chimera's mighty blow, a resounding gong accompanies a pressure wave that blasts everyone away from the impact.
Diamondhead helps Kevin to his feet as the Avengers charge forward - he's heavy, heavier than he's ever been. "What'd you mix with this time, Kev? The American flag?"
Kevin grins, not a scratch on his metal flesh. "Oh, I just grabbed Captain America's indestructible shield, no biggie." -he says, nonchalant.
Gwen shakes her head. "You alright?"
"Literally never felt better, Gwen."
Vilgax roars, charging at them once more, but Thor and the Hulk each hold onto one of his arms before he can reach them. Supergirl flies overhead, grabbing onto the warlord's face, lifting him, and plunging him into the ground. It's brutal, but Vilgax isn't done, blasting the Kryptonian away with his eye lasers. Diamondhead swaps into Four Arms, leaping into action; he grabs Vilgax's right leg and pulls him out of the ground, overhead, and back into the ground. He then spins him around into Hulk's waiting fist, which sends him careening towards Supergirl, who uppercuts him into the skies.
The warlord flies, but not for long; Thor lifts Mjolnir overhead, and a massive lightning bolt drives him back down to the ground. His landing is violently explosive, chunks of semi-molten ground flying out of the crater his body has made. Still, Vilgax rises, covered in his own steaming blood, reaching out of the ground like the wretched undead warrior he is, but a hail of missiles, courtesy of Iron Man, drives him back in.
Stark lands as the heroes assemble by the crater. "Something tells me he isn't down yet."
Rogers shakes his head as their alien foe struggles to rise again. "My God, he's still going." -he breathes.
Vilgax's whole frame shakes as he tries to climb out of the hole, most of his muscles currently useless as they're either outright missing or in the process of regenerating. "The...Omnitrix…" -he gargles, desperately reaching towards Four Arms.
He shakes his head. This has gone on long enough. "Can you hold him in place?" -he asks Gwen.
The Anodite nods, looking rather disturbed. Her eyes blaze, and a pair of projected tendrils latch onto his arms, raising him out of the hole. Four Arms walks up to him.
"I'm sorry, Vilgax." -he says genuinely.
The warlord sneers. "Not...yet…" -he hisses.
The cylinders on his arms punch into his flesh again, and the engorged, electrified limbs are brought down with all the strength the Chimera can muster, even managing to briefly overpower Gwen's control, but Power Girl swaps in and catches them before they slam onto the ground, grunting with effort as she keeps them in place. Vilgax blasts his eye lasers again - not at Power Girl, but at Gwen, but the attack is repelled by Kevin and Steve, huddling around the Anodite with their adamantium shells.
Power Girl roars, and with a mighty pull, she rips Vilgax's arms off, metal bones and all.
Vilgax howls in agony, flailing tentacles at his shoulders frantically reaching for their severed counterparts, but Power Girl tosses them clear out of his reach. Diamondhead replaces the Kryptonian, forms blades out of his arms, and sinks them into Vilgax's sides.
The warlord looks down as the crystal rapidly spreads. "...you're...sparing me?" -he wonders.
"Not that you deserve it." -Diamondhead says, narrowing his eyes. "But your people deserve justice. Maybe one day you'll have a chance to help me deliver it."
Vilgax scoffs. "You are a fool, Tennyson." -he laments. "But...perhaps, so was I, to assume you incapable."
Diamondhead smirks. "Not bad for a novice, huh?"
The warlord grunts. The crystal has fully encased his torso and legs by now, creeping up to his neck. "Prepare yourself, Tennyson." -Vilgax warns, finally resigned to his defeat. "Earth will soon be Thanos' priority. My defeat...your fellow champions...and the Omnitrix being active once more…"
Diamondhead nods, somberly. "We'll be ready. And you'll get your shot at revenge, I promise."
The warlord chuckles. "Then…you are...Max's...better…"
The crystal fully encases the warlord's head, and with a final, pained gasp, Vilgax is defeated.
And that, as they say, is that! Vilgax was practically defeated last chapter, so this was merely cementing our heroes' victory. Personally, I think part of Vilgax knew it, too - he might've been able to bust out of the Petrosapien crystal prison before he was fully encased if he truly put his mind to it, but I think Vilgax has grown to respect Ben's prowess and ingenuity a little bit, if not his idealism. As much as this was Ben giving Vilgax a chance to get his revenge and maybe atone for his deeds in the future, I think it was also Vilgax giving Ben a chance to prove that he's worthy, in his particular eyes, of wielding the Omnitrix.
We're not done with this story just yet, though! There's still quite a bit of clean-up to do after the battle, introductions to be made, and future plot threads to set up. Our Alien Force's adventure has only just begun!
As always, thank you for your attention! Make sure to comment or message me if you have any questions about this story. Look me up on Twitter as Darthkvzn or Tumblr as darthkvznblogs if you'd like - and on Ko-fi, as Darthkvzn, if you like what I do and have a buck to spare.
Until next time!