Chapter 24 – The Unexpected Hero

The Incursian lunar base groaned ominously, its structure cracking under the immense strain of the activated meteor launch. Sparks cascaded from ruptured conduits, and the metallic walls of the corridors buckled as the base trembled violently.
Gwen, Rook, and Albedo sprinted through the collapsing hallways, dodging falling debris and bursts of energy erupting from the overloaded systems. The sound of the reactor's unstable core echoed behind them, a constant reminder of the devastation they'd barely escaped.
"The meteor is gone!" Rook shouted over the cacophony, his Proto-Tool deflecting a stray piece of falling metal. "The base is tearing itself apart!"
"No kidding!" Gwen snapped, her mana glowing in her hands as she blasted apart a collapsing barrier blocking their path. "We need to get out of here—*now*."
Albedo, panting slightly, kept pace behind them, his crimson eyes darting to the flickering warnings on the walls. "Keep running, geniuses!" he barked. "Unless you'd like to be buried under a mountain of Moon rock."
Ahead, the light of the exit grew brighter, illuminating the desolation of the lunar battlefield beyond. The three of them surged forward and leapt out of the base just as the structure behind them erupted in a thunderous explosion, sending a plume of dust and metal into the low-gravity air.
Gwen shielded her eyes from the blast, coughing slightly as she turned to face the others. "We made it…"
Rook activated his communicator, opening a line to Max and Kevin aboard the Plumber warship. "Magister Tennyson," he called out, his voice steady despite the chaos. "The base has been destroyed, but the meteor has launched. Repeat—the meteor is on its way to Earth."
Above the Moon's surface, the warship hovered amidst the stars. Inside, Max stood at the bridge, his expression grim as the comms crackled with Rook's report. Kevin paced restlessly nearby, his rocky lunar form shimmering faintly.
"Understood," Max replied, his voice calm but heavy. He turned to the crew. "Prepare evacuation protocols. Get everyone off the Moon. We've done all we can here."
Kevin spun around, disbelief flashing across his face. "That's it? We're just giving up?" He jabbed a finger toward the viewport, where the glowing meteor was now a speck in the distance. "That thing's heading straight for Earth! If it hits—"
"We don't have the means to stop it," Max interrupted, his voice firm. "Right now, we save who we can."
Rook and Gwen emerged into view on the warship's external monitor, their silhouettes framed by the desolate lunar horizon. Albedo trailed behind them, his gaze fixed on the distant meteor.
"We're aboard in thirty seconds," Rook informed them. "Keep the ship ready for a quick departure."
But Albedo didn't move toward the warship.
"Go," he said quietly, his voice carrying an uncharacteristic edge.
Gwen turned sharply to face him. "What do you mean, 'go'? You're coming with us!"
Albedo smirked faintly, though it lacked his usual arrogance. "Not this time."
Rook frowned, stepping forward. "What are you planning, Albedo?"
The rogue Galvan crossed his arms, his crimson eyes locked onto the glowing trail of the meteor as it accelerated toward Earth. "I'm going to stop it."
Gwen stared at him, her mana fading slightly in her hands. "How?"
Albedo's lips curled into a grin, but it didn't reach his eyes. "You'll see."
Kevin's voice crackled through the communicator. "Oh, come on—*you*? The guy who tried to blow up the planet, like, twice? We're supposed to believe you suddenly grew a conscience?"
Albedo turned his head toward the warship, his expression shifting into something unreadable. "Believe whatever you want, Levin," he said sharply. Then, with a faint chuckle, he added, "Though, if you must know… I'm not doing it for you."
Gwen narrowed her eyes. "Then why?"
Albedo shrugged, his smirk returning. "Let's just say… I've acquired a fondness for your Earth's chilli fries. Be a shame to lose them."
Rook stared at him, his expression both incredulous and suspicious. "You're risking your life… for chilli fries?"
Albedo rolled his eyes. "Oh, please. Like you wouldn't do the same."
But as he spoke, something flickered in his gaze—a brief hesitation, almost imperceptible. Inside, he felt a strange, inexplicable twitch. An unfamiliar weight tugged at his thoughts, making him falter. For the first time, Albedo couldn't lie to himself.
It wasn't just about the chilli fries.
It was something deeper. Something he couldn't fully explain—something he didn't want to acknowledge. Being trapped in Ben's form for so long had left its mark. He hated to admit it, but he had started absorbing things from his rival: compassion, the stubborn refusal to give up, the maddening belief in second chances.
Even now, standing on the Moon's surface, staring at the distant Earth, Albedo felt it.
An obligation. A need to do something good—not for glory, not for vengeance, but because it was the right thing to do.
He shook his head, banishing the thought. "Enough with the staring," Albedo snapped, his tone regaining its sharpness. "You two need to get out of here. I've got work to do."
Gwen hesitated, her heart heavy with doubt. "Albedo…"
"Go!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the lunar surface.
Rook placed a hand on Gwen's shoulder, nodding solemnly. "We need to trust him."
Reluctantly, Gwen turned away, her mana flaring as she and Rook sprinted toward the Plumber warship. The hatch sealed behind them as the ship prepared for evacuation.
As the warship began its ascent, Kevin leaned against the viewport, his stony form furrowed with frustration. "If that guy survives, I'm going to need a *long* explanation."
Max watched silently, his expression unreadable. "If he succeeds," Max said quietly, "we'll owe him more than that."
Back on the Moon's surface, Albedo stood alone, his gaze fixed on the meteor blazing its way toward Earth. He raised his Ultimatrix, the emerald light reflecting off the pale lunar ground.
"Time to see if I've still got it," Albedo muttered.
And with that, he transformed, his form shimmering into something sleek, powerful, and determined.
The lone figure launched into the stars, chasing destiny.
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