The sun blazed over the desert like an unyielding eye, consuming everything in its path. The heat was so intense that waves of hot air distorted the landscape, making every shape appear like a trembling mirage. Gat, his shirt already askew, exposed a torso sculpted by hours of physical training. Veins bulged in his arms, taut as ropes under the scorching brilliance of the sun. "We've already defeated two units and captured them," he announced confidently, though his voice carried a tinge of exhaustion. "These guys aren't a challenge."
The girls didn't even blink at his display of muscles, but the kids stared at him with childlike admiration. "Wow, you're like those guys on TV who lift weights!" one of them exclaimed, pointing at him with excitement. Riota, always sharp-tongued, couldn't resist: "Yeah, at least what you lack in brains, you make up for in brawn." Her words sparked laughter among the group, and Gat scowled, pretending to be offended. "Ha, ha, very funny," he shot back, though he knew Riota had a point. He was about to give her a playful ear tug when something caught his attention.
Something was approaching. At first, they thought their eyes were playing tricks on them due to the blazing sun. But it wasn't an illusion. It was a mechanical monster, a hybrid beast with scorpion legs and a laser cannon instead of a stinger. "Look out!" Eduard shouted, lunging forward to push Riota and Benjamin out of harm's way. Floud, on the other hand, shrank like a lizard, momentarily disappearing from sight.
"A scorpion packing a laser… how crazy!" Floud muttered from his hiding spot.
"That's not how it works, kids," Eduard interjected calmly. "If you look closely, there's someone transforming into that giant creature, just like you, Floud. That's called copying."
The comment made Floud frown. "That's not fair. I'm the only one who can do that…"
The two women in the group exchanged an amused glance. "But don't you look adorable," they said in unison, causing Floud to retreat in embarrassment. "Don't come near me," he protested, taking refuge behind Eduard.
"And what about the old man? What is he?" Gat asked, pointing at the man controlling the scorpion.
"He's someone like the members of Adrian's team. Someone who can fuse with machines and assemble things at will," Eduard explained, just as the scorpion fired another laser beam. "Watch out!" he shouted again, and everyone instinctively ducked.
Suddenly, the ground beneath their feet trembled. A giant vine erupted from the soil, bringing with it a boy who seemed to be made of plants. His skin was a vibrant green, and his marble-white eyes radiated an unsettling serenity. With a delicate flick of his index finger, he released spores that floated in the air like golden motes. Each inhalation slowed their movements, nearly paralyzing them.
The scorpion advanced relentlessly, each step resonating like thunder across the vast desert. Eduard and his team struggled against the invisible weight that the spores imposed on their bodies. However, Benjamin broke the spell by transforming into a giant turtle. His shell gleamed under the sun as he deflected the laser beam with a precise movement. "Apparently, the spores didn't affect him!" Gat shouted, his energy blasts firing from his fingers in slow motion due to the spores' paralyzing effect.
One by one, the shots hit their mark, though with a prolonged delay. When they finally struck the spores, the paralyzing effect dissipated. Rachel and Ada, furious at the humiliation, used their telekinesis to rip the scorpion's laser cannon off and hurl it into the air. Floud seized the moment to unleash the electric power he had copied, incapacitating both the creature and the young man controlling it. The diagonal belt crossing his torso glowed intensely, changing colors according to the ability he activated. Five different orbs spun on its surface, representing the powers he could copy simultaneously.
Eduard finished the job with his powerful fists, knocking out the enemy with surgical precision. "We're done here," he announced, turning to the cadets. "You stay behind and keep an eye on them."
The group moved forward until they reached the entrance of the building, a futuristic structure resembling a flying saucer mounted on a slingshot. At the highest point, a man leaped into the air, landing on a cloud of dust. His stance was imposing, like that of a comic book superhero, but his icy gaze conveyed overwhelming determination.
"That guy wasn't the one who was with Zeus that day," Gat remarked, pointing at the newcomer.
"Yes, it is him," Eduard replied calmly.
"I'll handle this," Gat said impatiently.
"Don't be reckless! I sense something powerful from him," Eduard warned, but Gat had already lunged toward the man.
In the blink of an eye, the stranger knocked Gat down and pinned him, exerting unbearable pressure. "Such impatience from the youth these days," the man sneered. "No respect for their elders."
"My apologies," Eduard interjected diplomatically. "I'm Eduard."
"I'm Aragon, leader of Radar in America."
Gat tried to get up, but an invisible force kept him pinned to the ground. "Hey, let him go," Riota protested, watching as Gat was humiliated.
"Are you going to be insolent too, boy?" Aragon shot back, fixing his gaze on Riota, who swallowed hard and lowered his head.
"What are you doing to me? Get off, you damn old man!" Gat shouted, enraged.
"I just applied a tiny fraction of my 'aura.'"
"Aura?" Eduard asked, intrigued.
"You know it," Aragon affirmed.
"I only know it was used in ancient times as a source of power generated from everything around us."
"If you want to simplify it that way, fine. But it's more than that," Aragon explained. "What brings you here, intruders?"
"We're here for Aiden. Do you know him?" Eduard asked.
"Maybe yes, maybe no. But I won't tell you his location unless you defeat me."
Aragon stepped back from Gat and kicked him toward the others. "So you're saying that if we defeat you, you'll take us to him," Eduard concluded.
"Exactly. If you manage to do so, I'll lead you there myself. I don't need these controlled children to fight for me, but I'll let you all form a plan and face me together, if that's what you desire."
"Damn you, Aragon," Gat muttered, struggling to get up.
"Stay put," Eduard ordered, blocking his path. "We'll face him together. You didn't sense his presence. He's far too powerful for you alone."
"I'll give you five minutes," Aragon interrupted.
Everyone gathered in a circle, strategizing on how to confront the titan before them.
Meanwhile, in Egypt, Azulema and her team arrived at the Radar base when they were ambushed by a group of controlled kids. Some launched rockets attached to their arms, while others manipulated machines with abilities similar to those of Unit D. Azulema disarmed the missiles with her telekinesis, avoiding unnecessary explosions. "How foolish," she murmured, though her tone betrayed a hint of concern.
Mark gathered the defeated enemies and placed them in a cage created by Becky. "Take care of our new guests," she ordered the cadets.
A distant rumble echoed. A burly man appeared, armed with a missile launcher on his shoulder. "Well, well, it's time for the show to begin," he declared, sending his controlled soldiers into the attack.
Azulema tried to use her telekinesis, but something was blocking her powers. Ten figures emerged from the shadows, all wielding abilities similar to hers. "There may be more of them, but I have far more experience," she told herself. Before she could act, a spiderweb-like material ensnared her, pulling her down onto the ground. "Boss!" Mark shouted as he watched Azulema disappear beneath the earth.
"Well, I suppose it's time to step in," Ezequiel said, preparing to face the enemy, while the three girls accompanying him fought against the ten individuals who shared their abilities.