A few days had passed since the incident with Aggergor, and during that time, Kevin had completely disappeared.

Now, Michael and Jen stood at the doorstep of Gwen's house. Michael knocked gently on the door, a bit of hesitation in his movements. His leg was being clung to by Lilly, her small hands gripping his pants tightly.

Jen, standing beside him, cradled four-month-old Maria in her arms, her gaze soft but focused as she adjusted the baby's blanket.

The door creaked open, revealing Gwen's dad, Frank. He smiled warmly, though there was a slight surprise in his eyes. "Oh, Michael, we didn't expect you all to visit so soon."

Michael gave a polite smile, nodding as he replied, "Hallo, Onkel Frank. Our visit is a bit out of the blue, but we wanted to make sure Gwen's okay." (Hello, Uncle Frank) Jen nodded beside him, her gaze shifting toward the door as if eager to step inside.

Frank grinned, stepping aside to allow them in. "Then what are you waiting for? Come on in."

As they stepped into the familiar warmth of the house, a voice called out from the kitchen. "Ah, Jen! How are you? I hope the married life is treating you well," Gwen's mom, said, her tone full of affection.

Jen chuckled softly, glancing down at Maria, who was nestled against her. "It's been great, Aunt Natalie," she replied, giving her a warm smile. "Lots of adjustments, but it's been wonderful."

Natalie's eyes twinkled as she looked from Maria to Lilly, who was still clinging to Michael's leg. "Come on, let me see the little one," she said, her hands reaching out to gently take Maria from Jen's arms. Maria cooed softly in her arms, and Natalie's face softened with a maternal glow. "She's growing so fast!"

Natalie's eyes softened as she noticed Lilly still hiding behind Michael's leg, her little face peeking out just enough to see who was in the room. With a gentle smile, Natalie bent down slightly and asked, "How are you, little lady?" Her voice was warm and inviting, but Lilly only clutched Michael's leg tighter, her small hands wrapping around it protectively.

Michael couldn't help but chuckle at his daughter's shyness. Gently, he gave Lilly a slight nudge. "Go on, Lilly. She's mama's aunt," he said, his tone encouraging but tender. Lilly hesitated for a moment, her wide eyes looking up at him. After a beat, she slowly stepped out from behind his leg, glancing at Natalie as if trying to gauge whether she could trust her.

As she took a few tentative steps forward, Michael turned to Frank and Natalie. "Can you two watch over them for a bit? We'll check on Gwen," he said, giving them both a nod.

Frank and Natalie nodded in agreement, their smiles warm as they exchanged a knowing glance. "Of course," Frank said, his voice calm and reassuring. "We'll keep an eye on them."

Michael and Jen made their way upstairs, their footsteps soft on the creaky floorboards. Reaching Gwen's room, Jen knocked gently on the door. "Gwen, it's us," she called, her voice filled with concern.

There was no answer.

Jen exchanged a glance with Michael, both of them silently agreeing. Without a word, Michael turned the knob, and they stepped inside.

The room was in disarray, spell books scattered haphazardly across the floor, their pages open to various incantations. It was clear Gwen had been deeply immersed in her studies—perhaps trying to distract herself or seeking answers, but now the room looked like a chaotic reflection of her state of mind.

Their eyes moved toward the bed, and there, curled up under a thick blanket, lay Gwen in her anodite form. Her blue skin seemed pale even under the comfort of the covers, and her glowing eyes were shut, as though she was trying to block out the world. She looked small, fragile, and completely withdrawn, covering herself as if trying to hide from everything around her.

Jen's heart sank at the sight, and she moved toward the bed slowly. "Gwen..." she whispered, her voice soft as she sat on the edge of the bed, her gaze gentle but filled with worry. "It's okay... we're here."

Gwen's voice was barely above a whisper, the words coated with a heaviness that only added to the pain in the room. "Can you guys leave me alone for a minute?" she asked, her voice shaky.

Jen hesitated for a moment, but then, instinctively, she wrapped her arms around Gwen in a comforting hug. "It's fine, Gwen," Jen said softly, her voice steady despite the concern in her eyes. "Shockwave and Ferox are out looking for Kevin. They're doing everything they can."

Gwen slowly shifted in the bed, sitting up with a heavy sigh. Her glowing eyes, dull with worry, met Jen's for just a moment before she pulled her knees up to her chest, hugging her legs tightly. She seemed so small, so vulnerable, in that moment.

"I'm worried for him," Gwen said, her voice cracking slightly. "He's probably going insane... I just— I don't know what to do." She buried her face in her knees, her body trembling ever so slightly as if the weight of her emotions was too much to bear.

Michael stepped closer to the bed but didn't sit down. He gave Gwen the space she needed but offered a reassuring presence. "We'll find him," he said quietly. "You're not alone in this."

At Los Soledad, the atmosphere was tense. The military base, was almost eerily still. Shockwave, in his bike form, sped through the grounds with surprising grace, his sleek metallic body glinting in the moonlight.

Ferox, small yet determined, clung to Shockwave's handlebars, its tiny form vibrating with purpose as it sniffed the air, searching for any trace of Kevin.

The small creature chirped, its nose twitching with the effort of picking up a scent, its tiny body perched on the bike with an almost unspoken sense of urgency.

Every now and then, Ferox would dart its head back and forth, eyes sharp and focused. It was instinctively searching, knowing that the person they were after—Kevin—was somewhere nearby, possibly in need of help.

"Any sign yet?" Shockwave's voice echoed from his mechanical form, a blend of concern and resolve in his tone. He was doing everything he could to navigate the base quickly and efficiently, but finding Kevin was proving difficult.

Ferox chirped again, its ears flicking toward a faint scent on the wind. It let out a small excited trill, pointing its snout toward a nearby warehouse. Shockwave's mechanical eye narrowed, processing the information quickly.

"Got it," Shockwave said, speeding up as he followed Ferox's lead toward the building.

Reaching the building, Shockwave turned to his normal form, his railguns loaded just in case. Ferox growled as she turned into his primal form.

As Shockwave was about to open the door, Ultimate Kevin shot out, his Ultimate Swampfire hand on fire as he tried to grab Ferox but Shockwave fired his railguns hitting Kevin in thre head as he was throw off and into a building.

"Listen to us Osmosian! We have a way to cure you!" Shockwave yelled but Kevin got up. "I like being out of control!" Kevin yelled in insanity as he fired a UV ray from his Diamondhead arm.

Reaching the building, Shockwave seamlessly shifted back into his humanoid form, his railguns primed and ready. Ferox let out a low growl, his fur bristling as he morphed into her primal form, claws scraping against the concrete. The tension in the air was thick—something was wrong.

As Shockwave reached for the door, it suddenly exploded outward. Ultimate Kevin lunged through the smoke and debris, his Ultimate Swampfire arm blazing with unnatural green fire. His monstrous form twisted with stolen DNA, muscles bulging, jagged crystals jutting from his Diamondhead armor. His eyes, wild and unhinged, locked onto Ferox.

With terrifying speed, Kevin swiped his flaming claw at Ferox, aiming to grab him by the throat. But before he could land the hit-

BOOM!

Shockwave's railguns roared to life, twin projectiles slamming into Kevin's head. The force sent him hurtling backward, crashing through a rusted-out vehicle before slamming into the side of another warehouse. The metal groaned and buckled under his impact, sending dust and debris flying into the air.

Shockwave didn't lower his weapons. "Listen to us, Osmosian! We have a way to cure you!" he called out, his voice sharp, unwavering.

For a brief moment, the dust settled. Then—

A deep, guttural laugh echoed through the lot.

Kevin pushed himself off the wreckage, his twisted form shifting, his Chromastone arm crackling with unstable energy. "Cure me?" He grinned manically, baring sharp teeth. "I don't need a cure. I like being out of control!"

Before Shockwave could respond, Kevin's Diamondhead arm gleamed. A blinding UV beam erupted from his fingertips, slicing through the air like a razor.

The beam struck just inches away from Shockwave's feet, the sheer force shattering the pavement and sending Ferox skidding back with a snarl.

Kevin didn't stop—he launched forward again, his Four Arms appendages bursting out from his back. With a monstrous leap, he aimed a devastating punch straight at Shockwave's chest.

Shockwave barely had time to brace as Kevin's fist collided—CRACK!—the sheer impact sent him flying through the air, slamming into a rusted-out cargo container. The metal dented inward from the force.

Ferox roared in anger, his primal instincts kicking in. He leaped onto Kevin's back, sinking his claws into his shoulders, snarling as he tried to tear him away. Kevin howled in frustration, his Humungousaur strength making him nearly immovable. He reached back, trying to grab him, but he was too fast, clawing at his exposed flesh.

"Get—OFF!" Kevin bellowed, his body shifting again, his Goop appendages forming into tendrils that whipped violently in every direction. One tendril wrapped around Ferox's leg and with terrifying strength, he flung him into the air.

Shockwave's eyes flared. His targeting systems locked onto Kevin's exposed chest.

"Eat this!"

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Three high-powered railgun rounds exploded against Kevin's torso, sending him skidding back across the battlefield, flames and sparks flying from the impact.

But even as the smoke cleared—Kevin was already getting back up. And he was laughing.

Kevin grinned wickedly as he phased into the ground, his body flickering out of existence just as Shockwave's next volley of railgun rounds tore through the air. The shells whizzed past harmlessly, striking an abandoned truck and blowing it apart in a fiery explosion.

"Too slow!" Kevin sneered, emerging right behind Ferox. His form radiated a deep, bone-chilling frost as he reached out, gripping the beast's back. Instantly, ice spread across Ferox's fur, locking his limbs in place. The creature roared in pain, thrashing wildly, but Kevin stayed just out of reach, laughing as his movements slowed.

"What's wrong, mutt? Feeling a little stiff?" Kevin mocked, his glowing red eyes narrowing with twisted amusement.

But before he could freeze Ferox completely—

BOOM!

Kevin jerked violently as something slammed into his chest, sending sparks and shards of energy flying off his body. He stumbled back, his grip on Ferox loosening. His smirk faded as he looked down, eyes widening in confusion. He'd been hit.

Shockwave reloaded with a loud metallic click-clank and took aim again. "Adaptive rounds." His voice was cold, calculated. "They adjust to whatever form you take."

Kevin's expression twisted into fury. "You little—"

Shockwave didn't let him finish.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Three more shots struck Kevin, each impact sending shockwaves rippling through his unstable form. His Intangibility failed, his body briefly flickering as the energy disrupted his abilities.

Seizing the opportunity, Ferox shattered the ice on his body with a powerful surge of strength. He lunged, his claws glowing with raw energy, and slashed across Kevin's chest, sending him skidding backward.

Kevin roared in frustration, his body shifting rapidly between different alien forms as he tried to regain control. His Humungousaur strength tensed, his Chromastone core glowing dangerously. He was about to release an energy blast—

But Shockwave was faster. He switched to stun rounds and fired a direct shot to Kevin's head.

Kevin's eyes widened just before the impact—

BOOOOOM!

The round struck like a thunderclap, sending Kevin crashing through a rusted watchtower. The entire structure collapsed on top of him in a cloud of dust and debris.

Silence.

Ferox panted heavily, his eyes locked on the wreckage. Shockwave kept his railguns trained on the rubble, waiting.

Then, the debris shifted. A low, guttural laugh echoed from beneath.

Kevin wasn't down yet.

"Enough! I WILL RIP YOU INTO SHREDS!" Kevin bellowed, his voice a mix of rage and madness.

With a violent swing, he conjured a diamond laced from his Diamondhead arm and hurled it forward with terrifying speed.

Shockwave tried to dodge, twisting to the side, but the diamond lance pierced straight through his leg. Sparks erupted as the sharp crystalline structure cracked through his armor, embedding deep. Shockwave staggered, his systems blaring with damage alerts.

Kevin snarled, lunging at him like a wild beast, his mutated body shifting mid-air. His Humungousaur fist clenched, ready to smash Shockwave into scrap.

But, before he could strike. Ferox tackled Kevin in midair, his powerful jaws snapping down, aiming for Kevin's shoulder.

Kevin twisted, his four arms mutating mid-motion. From his belt, a metallic hatch suddenly snapped open.

A blazing radiation pulse exploded outward, a searing heatwave from NRG's core.

Ferox howled in pain as the intense wave of nuclear heat blasted him backward, sending him slamming into the ground with a thunderous crash. Smoke rose from his singed fur as he struggled to shake off the burning pain.

Gritting his teeth, Shockwave grabbed the diamond lance embedded in his leg and yanked it out. Sparks and liquid coolant sprayed from the wound, but he ignored the pain.

With a swift motion, he raised his railgun and fired. The shot slammed into Kevin's chest, momentarily stunning him.

Seizing the opening, Shockwave surged forward, gripping Kevin's mutated form with crushing strength. His chest plate hummed, energy building up.

A point-blank fusion cannon blast detonated against Kevin's torso.

But instead of taking damage, Kevin's Chromastone core absorbed the energy effortlessly, his body glowing with raw power.

Kevin grinned, his eyes burning with madness. "Nice try! Here—let me return the favor!"

Before Shockwave could react, Kevin's Ultimate Swampfire arm ignited into a blinding green inferno.

With a savage thrust, he fired a concentrated blast of superheated plasma straight into Shockwave's right arm.

The molten blast melted through metal and circuitry, warping the limb beyond repair. Shockwave reeled back, sparks flying from his ruined arm.

Kevin didn't stop. With inhuman speed, he twisted and whipped his Ultimate Humungousaur tail forward.

The massive impact sent Shockwave hurtling through the air, smashing through a concrete building with a deafening explosion.

Dust and rubble erupted as Shockwave crashed hard, metal groaning under the weight of destruction.

Kevin stood tall, his form shifting, his voice dripping with twisted glee. "You're gonna have to do better than that, Buckethead!"

Shockwave groaned as he pushed himself up from the rubble, sparks flickering from his damaged arm. His glowing optic locked onto Ferox, who struggled to stand.

"Ferox! Go get the others—I'll hold him off!" Shockwave barked.

Ferox hesitated for a split second, his instincts screaming to stay and fight. But one look at Kevin, hovering above like a demon, forced his decision.

With a weak growl, Ferox turned and bolted into the shadows, disappearing into the wreckage.

Above them, Kevin cackled, his body shifting with chaotic energy. His Ultimate Swampfire arm flared, conjuring an enormous blue fireball, its heat so intense that the air shimmered around it.

"You can run, but you can't hide!" Kevin roared, preparing to unleash hell.

Shockwave's optic narrowed. His processor worked at lightning speed, analyzing the battlefield. The surrounding debris—he could use it.

With a powerful stomp, he kicked up massive chunks of broken concrete, steel, and shattered vehicles, creating a makeshift barrier.

The moment Kevin hurled the fireball, Shockwave ducked behind the debris.

BOOOOM!

The fireball detonated, vaporizing the top layers of rubble, but the lower sections held.

Shockwave wasted no time. Using his remaining arm, he locked onto Kevin's airborne form, calculating the perfect shot.

His Railgun hummed to life—

BANG!

A sonic blast ripped through the air, the force distorting everything around it.

The shot hit Kevin dead center in the chest.

"GAAAH!" Kevin's eyes widened as he was sent flying backward, spiraling out of control before CRASHING into the side of a ruined hangar.

Smoke and dust erupted from the impact, and for a brief moment—everything fell silent.

Shockwave lowered his weapon, his optic glowing fiercely.

"Still think you're untouchable, Osmosian?" he muttered, preparing for the next round.

Ferox leapt across rooftops, his burnt fur still smoking as he raced through the city. His claws dug into the shingles of Gwen's house as he landed with a heavy THUD, shaking the entire building.

Inside, Natalie and Frank startled at the sudden tremor.

"What in the world—?" Natalie gasped as they rushed outside, followed closely by Lilly, cradling Maria in her tiny arms.

As they stepped onto the porch, Ferox sprang off the roof, shifting back into his smaller form in midair.

Michael moved quickly, catching him before he hit the ground.

The little creature trembled in his grasp, his fur scorched, and his breath ragged.

Michael's expression hardened. "You okay, buddy? What happened?"

Ferox weakly raised a paw and pointed—directly at Gwen.

Gwen's stomach twisted. "Did you find Kevin?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ferox nodded. "Then we don't have time to waste," Jen said, her tone shifting into one of urgency.

Michael and Gwen exchanged a tense glance before nodding.

As Jen turned to leave, she felt a small tug on her leg.

"Mama?" Lilly's tiny voice wavered as she held onto Jen's pants. "Will you come back quickly?"

Jen knelt down, cupping Lilly's cheeks gently. She forced a smile despite the worry gnawing at her. "Of course, sweetheart." She brushed a few strands of hair from Lilly's face. "Be a good big sister and listen to Uncle Frank and Aunt Natalie, okay?"

Lilly hesitated before giving a small nod. "Okay."

Jen kissed her forehead, then stood. Michael's expression steeled. "Let's go."

Without another word, he slammed down on the Ultimatrix.

In a flash of red light, his form shifted, transforming into Shadow. His quills bristled with energy, his eyes glowing fiercely.

With one swift motion, he grabbed Gwen and Jen—then they were gone. A black blur shot across the horizon, vanishing into the night.

Reaching Los Soledad, Michael turned back to human and stared in disbelief at the destruction around them. Buildings lay in ruin, massive craters scorched into the earth,