Above the palace, the clash of titans is in full swing.
Thor swung his hammer at Loki, who responded by blocking it with his spear.
Loki then coated his fist in magic power and punched Thor in the face. A shockwave erupted from the impact as Thor's head was knocked back.
Only for Thor to clench his fist as lightning danced around his knuckles. The Thunderer struck his brother with his own haymaker, resulting in a boom as loud as thunder to burst from the impact.
It was strange. All his life, Loki had always avoided trying to match Thor in a physical battle. Often relies on his tricks and his magic to gain the edge over others.
But this time, Loki was fighting like a berserker, matching him blow for blow. His strength is far beyond anything he was previously capable of.
No doubt, Loki was using the Odin Force to increase his physical abilities. His pride could never accept the difference in this power, and now he seeks to prove himself the superior warrior.
But what Loki always failed to realise is that Thor is more than just his muscles. It takes more than raw strength to become Asgard's finest warrior.
Twirling his hammer, Thor summoned a bolt of lightning and blasted it at Loki.
The Trickster instantly erected a shield to block the attack. Thor followed up his attack by hurling Mjolnir at him, only for Loki to dodge out of the way. Only for Thor to tackle Loki in the air.
Thunderer and Trickster grappled in the sky as they attempted to overpower one another.
Loki grinned as he gripped Thor's wrist and pushed against him.
"Do you see now, Oaf?" Loki asked rhetorically. "Do you see the difference in our power? I am beyond not only mortals. But all beings in the nine realms. Even the Mighty Thor."
"And yet you still haven't learned from our childhood, brother," Thor responded with a smirk.
Loki adopted a confused expression before realising too late as Mjolnir flew right into the back of his head.
Stunned from the blow, Loki only just shook the stars from his eyes before Thor wrapped him in a bear hug and performed an airbourne suplex. Sending both crashing into a watchtower on the palace walls.
The Princes of Asgard quickly got to their feet and prepared to clash once more. Only for Loki to be struck in the chest by a pair of repulsor beams from Iron Man.
"Miss me, Copperfield?" Iron Man quipped before rocketing into Loki and delivering a powerful uppercut, knocking Loki into the air.
He only flew a couple of feet before the Trickster felt his body become increasingly heavy. To the point where he instantly dropped back down into the wall.
But his weight was so great, he smashed straight through the stone structure, blasting through the stone further and further down until he reached the bottom in a loud explosion before tumbling out of the wall into the courtyard.
Loki grunted as he attempted to raise his head. Only for this weight to pull him back down. His hands were cracking and sinking into the stone as every fibre of his being was being dragged down.
Using his might, Loki forced his head up only to see Ultimate Gravattack smirking down at him.
"Guess you're finally getting the full weight of the situation, huh?" He quipped with a smug expression.
The Teen Hero was soon joined by Iron Man and Thor. The trio of powerhouses surrounded the Villain, looking down at him with serious expressions.
"Give up, Loki. You've got no chance now." Iron Man ordered, aiming his repulsor at his head.
"Heed our warning, Brother. We are not above showing mercy." Thor said, offering a hand to the Trickster. "Despite your crimes. If you surrender, I am sure Father will…."
"ENOUGH!" Loki roared, unleashing a pulse of magic that blew the Avengers away.
As they recovered, Loki rose to his feet. His eyes were glowing with power as he displayed his full mystical might.
"You are all of you beneath me!" Loki cried out, his voice becoming more deranged the longer he spoke. "I am beyond all your feeble comprehensions! I possess the power of the Tree of Life itself! I am a God of Gods! I am….!"
Suddenly, the ground beneath Loki cracked, and a green hand burst from the stone floor, wrapping around Loki's leg.
The God of Mischief let out a surprised yelp as Hulk smashed through the ground and proceeded to swing Loki into the floor, denting it, before whipping the Trickster over his head and slamming him into the ground on the other side of his body.
Hulk repeated this action several times before finally slamming Loki deep into the crater he had just dug with Loki's body.
The Green Goliath glared down at Loki, whose eyes were wide as he stared vacantly at the sky, letting out a slight wheeze.
"Puny God," Hulk grunted, looming over him.
Thor and Iron Man both looked at the Gamma Brute in shock while Ultimate Gravattack bit his lip to keep himself from laughing.
Loki, however, did not find that amusing. The Prince of Lies gnashed his teeth together as his eyes glowed with magic.
Hulk attempted to smash him again. But Loki was too fast as he turned into a swarm of moths that fluttered around Hulk and swarmed the others, who raised their arms to prepare for an attack.
However, the moths did nothing as they simply reformed away from the four heroes who turned to face him.
"Still think we have no chance?" Iron Man asked in a mocking tone.
"Cause we're only getting started." Ultimate Gravattack added, punctuating his point by punching his stony fist into his palm.
Thor stepped forward as the clouds swirled above him. "You possess the power of the Odin Force, Loki. But you do not possess the knowledge or the wisdom to use it."
Loki chuckled in response. "That is what you truly believe, Thor? Then I shall show you the true might of the power I wield."
Raising his arms, Loki's body glowed, and the Avengers got into fighting stances.
With a devilish grin, Loki's body turned into a flock of crows and surged forth.
The heroes attempted to attack the Murder of crows, but their strikes seemed to have little effect on slowing them down. They were so small and numerous that for each one they managed to take down, a hundred more would take their place.
Eventually, the flock dispersed, only for the heroes to realise that the crows were merely a distraction.
Turning around, they saw the flock regroup and form together. Only it wasn't Loki's usual form.
The black birds combined to form the base of a long, green, scaly tail, gathering more to take the shape of a long, slender body with a familiar golden pattern along the back. More Crows gathered as the being grew larger and longer until finally forming the head of a giant snake.
It was over sixty feet long and had a horned crest atop its head that resembled Loki's helm. It opened its jaws to reveal four three-foot, razor-sharp fangs.
The giant snake hissed, flicking its forked tongue as it began to chuckle.
"Doessss thissss not bring back memoriessss, Thor?" Loki spoke in a snake-like tone.
Thor narrowed his eyes and gripped his hammer tightly. "Hardly, Loki. Thou hast always been a serpent at heart. It is fitting that your form finally matches your heart."
Serpent Loki chuckled as he coiled his long body. "Then let usss end thissss!"
With that, Loki reeled his head back and struck at Thor. Opening his jaw and extending his fangs.
Only for Hulk to push Thor out of the way and catch Loki's jaws with his massive hands. Stopping the snake in his tracks.
"Avengers, take him!" Iron Man barked.
The Heroes instantly charged into battle. Thor raised Mjolnir and brought it down on Loki's head. Iron Man blasted his repulsors into the Trickster's eyes, and Ultimate Gravattack levitated several tons of rocks and debris and launched them at the serpent's body.
Serpent Loki roared in annoyance before his body was covered completely by the avalanche of rock and stones. The other heroes quickly withdrew before they got caught up in the gravitational landslide.
Ultimate Gravattack focused his power to increase the gravity on the stones, compacting them together to keep the trickster in one place.
Only for a wave of mystical energy to surround the pile of rubble, and in the blink of an eye, the debris turned into a cloud of steam.
With the sudden shift in structural density, Ultimate Gravattack lost his hold on the vapour cloud, and it began to rise into the air.
Through the mist, the Heroes witnessed the dark silhouette of Loki's head rising amidst the fog.
Thor and Hulk flew and leapt towards the villain, only for Serpent Loki to open his jaws wide and inhale.
The mist cloud began to swirl and gather towards the serpent's maw. Only the steam didn't flow into his throat; it gathered just in front of his fangs, compacting into a perfect sphere.
Once all the steam had gathered into the ball, Loki flicked his forked tongue, generating a spark, and the ball of mist turned into a raging fireball that looked like a small sun.
Thor quickly attempted to blast the Serpent with his lightning as Hulk continued charging forth.
Loki countered by whipping his tail fast enough to break the sound barrier. Generating a sonic boom strong enough to stun Hulk before wrapping around him.
Just as Thor unleashed a bolt of mystical lightning at the Trickster, the Giant Snake swiftly maneuvered Hulk in front of the blast. Causing the lightning to strike the Gamma Giant instead.
Thor's eyes widened as he pulled Mjolnir away to stop himself from attacking his friend.
With a swift crack of his tail, Loki launched the now electrified Hulk at Thor. Sending both flying into the distance before turning his head towards Iron Man and Ultimate Gravattack and unleashing the inferno from his jaws.
Acting fast, the Alien Hero raised his hands to block it, but the sphere of flames enveloped him, and the inferno consumed him.
Loki grinned as he watched the flames consume the Young Hero. Only for the ground to start rumbling, and the air became distorted.
Suddenly, the fireball began shrinking. From the centre of its mass, the fire swirled, like water down a drainpipe, until the last of the fire disappeared, and Loki saw what was at the centre.
Ultimate Gravattack with a black hole in his hands.
The Ultimate Alien generated the singularity while ensuring that its gravitational field wouldn't affect anything else around him.
Shooting Iron Man a look, the Armored Hero quickly understood and activated his thrusters. Rocketing away from the area so he wouldn't be caught in the fallout of the Teens' next move.
After checking that his allies are out of range, Ultimate Gravattack threw the black hole at Loki like a pitcher.
To unleash a singularity like that is a risky move. But Ultimate Gravattack ensured that the other Avengers are out of range, so they shouldn't be at risk from his gravity well.
The Black Hole tore through the air, warping space around it as it barreled towards Loki.
In response, the Prince of Lies opened his jaws, extended his fangs and chomped down on the Black Hole, just as it entered his mouth.
Winds howled, and the ground shook as matter and energy were sucked into the event horizon. Yet Loki regarded the miniature celestial object with no concern.
Ultimate Gravattack watched in awe as Loki's fangs sank into his singularity, and white cracks began to appear along the surface.
With one swift motion, Loki crushed the black hole with his mouth, shattering the celestial object like glass.
Opening his maw, shards of the black hole sprinkled to the floor like crumbs from a plate, as Loki casually flicked any remaining debris from in between his teeth with his tongue before turning his attention back to Ult Gravattack.
Acting fast, Ultimate Gravattack aimed his hands at the Emerald Asgardian, and his mini moons began spinning counterclockwise. A white sphere of energy appeared in his hand as he unleashed the power of a white hole at Loki.
The beam of light tore through the air straight for him.
However, Loki widened his eyes and fired a stream of blue magical energy from his eyes.
The beams collided, and Loki's energy sliced through the white hole like a hot knife through butter.
Travelling along the beam before punching through the origin and striking Ultimate Gravattack square in the face.
A massive explosion sent the Teen Hero flying, tumbling across the ground like a bowling ball. His stone body was crumbling apart as Ben emerged and rolled to a complete stop.
His body throbbed as he groaned while pushing himself to his feet.
Two of his strongest attacks and they did nothing against him. Ben had to think fast. He was running out of Ultimates and options.
His little boost from the World Tree couldn't last much longer either. While it was handy to go straight to Ultimate and not have to worry about running out of juice. He can't imagine that little buff is gonna hold up. He needed some heavy hitters.
Only problem is, the risk to the others. Sure, he might be able to take out Loki, but that might also take out Asgard in the process and everyone on it.
He could try using a new Ultimate, but that kind of power takes time to control. He can't risk a new form; he has no experience in going out of control or causing some unknown side effects.
Right now, his best option would be to keep Loki distracted and hope the others can cut off Loki's power.
A shadow loomed over him as Ben looked up to see Serpent Loki bearing down at him, his jaws open, ready to swallow him whole.
Ben's eyes widened and his body froze in shock.
Fortunately, the arrival of the Jade Giant, Hulk, saved him as he slammed into Loki's head, grabbed the Giant Snake by one of his horns, and proceeded to punch the God of Mischief in the face with a gamma-charged fist.
Knocking Loki to the side and giving Ben enough breathing room to activate the Ultimatrix.
Raising his hand, Ben slammed down the dial and bathed the area in a bright green light.
"ULTIMATE ECHO ECHO!"
The Sound Alien quickly detached two sonic discs from his shoulders and threw them towards Loki's head.
"Hulk, get clear!" Ultimate Echo Echo shouted as the discs aligned themselves on either side of the Serpent's massive cranium.
Thankfully, Hulk heard the Teen Hero's warning and promptly hopped off the Snake.
With Hulk clear and Loki just reclaiming his senses, Ultimate Echo Echo unleashed a powerful sonic blast from his discs.
The Titanic Serpent howled in pain as the sound waves bombarded its head with instant, high-frequency sonics.
Feeling like his skull was about to be shaken apart, Loki raised his head and his body began to glow.
Only for Mjolnir to come crashing down atop his head, sending the Prince of Lies plummeting to the ground. The Mighty Mallet pinned him down as his body thrashed around, while the sonic discs continued their assault.
Thor flew down with Iron Man as they joined Ult Echo Echo and Hulk.
However, before they could discuss their next move, Serpent Loki's body glowed and, before they could react, four more heads erupted from the serpent's neck and shot towards each of them.
The heroes barely had time to react before the snakes clamped their jaws on their waists and lifted them into the air.
All four Avengers groaned in pain and tried to fight back. Hulk slammed his fists down atop of his snake's head, which only made it bite him harder.
Iron Man groaned as he blasted his repulsor rays into it. However, his suit began to spark as warning lights flashed on his HUD. The armor's integrity had been breached, meaning the fangs managed to slip into the gaps of his armor and threatened to damage the internal wiring.
Ultimate Echo Echo tried to generate a shield of soundwaves around his body to force the snakes' jaws open, but the serpent had him in a vice. He could feel its fangs piercing his metallic body. He tried to blast soundwaves directly into the creature's head, but it didn't react. Almost as if it didn't have a mind within that skull.
Thor grunted in pain as he reflexively called Mjolnir to his hand, thereby freeing the main head.
The Large Serpent shook the stars out of his vision before rising to look down at the trapped heroes.
"Do you sssee now?" Loki hissed at them. "The futility of your actionsss. The hoplesssnessss of your follyssss?"
"Ugh. Can you give it a rest with the S words, Dude? You're really starting to get on my nerves." Ultimate Echo Echo groaned in annoyance.
The Giant Snake turned his attention to the Emerald Avenger.
His eyes glowed and his forehead lit up with a brilliant blue light before Loki, in his original form, emerged from the Snakes head and he floated towards the Teen Hero.
"You're insolence knows no bounds. Does it, Mortal?" Loki asked rhetorically.
"I could say the same thing about your ego." Ultimate Echo Echo shot back. "What's wrong, slugger? Daddy not give you enough hugs?"
Loki's jaw clenched as his fist tightened, and the serpents biting the Avengers sank their fangs deeper into them. Causing them all to groan in pain.
"Ben, now might not be a good time to tick him off." Iron Man warned. Unlike the rest of the heroes present, his body is very squishy and fragile underneath the suit of armor he's surrounded by.
Loki smirked as he looked down at the Alien Avenger. "It makes no difference. You will all soon perish."
"Aren't you gonna grant us one request?" Ultimate Echo Echo asked.
The Prince of Lies turned his attention back to the Evolved Alien. "And allow you a moment of respite to gather your strength? I think not. This game ends here."
With a click of his fingers, the serpent's jaws tightened, and the heroes felt pain shoot through them.
"A shame." Ultimate Echo Echo managed to blurt out between groans. "I had a really good one lined up…. But I'll just settle for this…"
With that, he detached one of the sonic discs from the right side of his head. The small disc floated around his snake's long neck, where it divided itself into identical discs before quickly flying towards and surrounding Loki in a circle.
"SONIC DOOM!"
The discs blasted Loki with intense sonic waves. Causing the Asgardian Sorcerer to scream in pain, breaking his concentration.
With Loki occupied, the snakes stopped their attack, allowing the heroes to break free. Thor summoned lightning to fry his snake's head to ashes, Iron Man unleashed a pulse of energy from his armor, blowing it apart, Hulk ripped his serpent apart like tinfoil, and Ultimate Echo Echo unleashed a pulse of soundwaves that vibrated the snake's head apart.
With the heroes free, they turned their attention to Loki, who unleashed a wave of magic to destroy the sonic discs.
"Ok, Thor, hit me!" Iron Man ordered.
Thor proceeded to summon a mass of storm clouds, unleashing lightning bolts into Iron Man's armor.
The mystical lighting charged up the suit to its max potential, and the Armored Hero blasted mystical repulsor beams from his chest and hands.
Loki erected a mystical barrier to block the attack, only for the force of it to knock him off his Serpent.
The Giant Snake hissed and struck forth at the pair.
Thor raised Mjolnir, and the weapon glowed with mystical lightning. Iron Man clenched his right fist, and the metal gauntlet glowed with similar power.
The two dodged out of the way of the giant snake, allowing its massive head to come between them.
Iron Man and Thor then proceeded to strike the snake with their metal fists and hammers, unleashing the built-up power between them as the serpent crumbled to dust.
Loki raised his spear to blast them with magic beams. When suddenly, Hulk appeared behind him. His arms stretched out on either side.
Just before he could clap his hands, one of Ultimate Echo Echo's sonic discs floated up and positioned itself between the Gamma Giant and Prince of Lies.
Hulk clapped his gamma-charged palms together directly behind the sonic disc.
But instead of a gamma shockwave erupting from the Hulk's green paws, the vibrational energy is absorbed by the disc, causing it to spark with green electricity arcing over it. The Sonic Disc blasts a concentrated green beam of sonic energy from its speaker.
The beam strikes Loki in the chest, sending him hurtling towards the ground.
Loki impacts against the ground with enough force to carve a trench into the earth.
Ultimate Echo Echo quickly pursues the villain. Focusing his sonic energy to fly so fast, he almost breaks the sound barrier.
Just as he got in range, he reached up and tapped the Ultimatrix Dial.
"ULTIMATE WILDMUTT!" The Emerald Avenger roared in a primal tone.
The animal-like alien pounced on Loki. Ramming his left paw on the god's back, forcing his face into the dirt.
With that, the Alien Hero opened his jaws and latched onto Loki's right shoulder. Sinking his fangs into the Asgardian's flesh.
Loki howled in pain before unleashing a pulse of energy to blast Ultimate Wildmutt off him.
"You dare!" Loki roared, rising to his feet and glaring at the Evolved Alien. His clothes, stained with patches of dirt and mud, clung to his cheek. His eyes burned with pure hatred as he tried to raise his spear.
"You dare to…" Loki paused. His arm. It refused to move.
Looking down, the God of Mischiefs eyes widened as he looked at his right arm. Purple lines travelled down his arm, causing it to go numb as his veins filled with some strange substance.
His eyes tracked where the source of this substance was emanating from.
The area where the mortal bit him.
"Ya like it?" Ultimate Wildmutt taunted with a smirk. "A little thing we mere mortals call neurotoxin. Don't worry, it'll just paralyze you. Cause I'm nice like that."
A handy little ability of the Evolved Vulpimancer that Ben had discovered a while back. Apparently, his fangs and tail stinger both produce a powerful venom. The venom in his fangs paralyses his opponents. The venom within his stinger is a potent toxin that'll almost certainly lead to fatality for anyone stung by it.
This is why the Evolved Alien took great care to avoid cutting anyone with that tail of his. After testing it a few times on several plants, the poor flora withered and rotted within a minute after the initial injection.
So until he can synthesize an effective anti-venom to administer, he cannot risk using this form in combat with others around. One slight cut from his tail and that's bye-bye for them.
Meanwhile, his paralyzing venom is much safer to use and quite effective. The effects last a few minutes and keep the victim in a frozen state. Sorta like a living statue.
Loki stared at his frozen limb as the venom spread through his body. "Paralysis, you say?" The Trickster god mused before an evil grin spread across his lips.
"Very interesting."
Before Ultimate Wildmutt could comprehend the meaning of the Asgardian sorcerer's fascination. Loki's body is surrounded by a blue aura as he channeled the power of the Odin Force.
Suddenly, the venom stopped spreading through his veins and began flowing back to his arm. The bite mark on his shoulder healed as the venom continued to flow down his and congregate in his hand.
Loki clenched his fist, and between his fingers, three purple spike-shaped blades sprang from in-between his digits.
From the scent that Ultimate Wildmutt could detect, they were made of his venom, solidified by magic.
Loki admired the venom spikes in his hand before glancing off into the distance where he saw Thor, Hulk and Iron Man advancing towards him and his smile grew.
"Let us test how effective this toxin of your works." Loki stated.
If Ultimate Wildmutt had eyes, they would be wide as dinner plates. The Evolved Alien could detect the Avengers heading towards them with his radar senses. He charged forward, putting all his strength into his limbs as he launched himself at Loki.
"No wait!" he cried. But it was too late.
As quick as a viper, Loki threw the venom spikes at the trio. Striking each of them with expert precision. With the spike managing to slip between the gaps of Iron Mans armor.
In an instant, Thor, Hulk and Iron Man were instantly paralyzed. Frozen in place like statues, unable to move a finger.
Fortunately, the venom didn't freeze their lungs and eyes. Allowing them to see and breath until the venom wears off.
Ultimate Wildmutt roared in anger as he pounced at Loki.
However, the Trickster chuckled and in the blink of an eye, he vanished from sight.
To Ultimate Wildmutt, Lokis' physical form vanished from his senses. Meaning it wasn't a form of cloaking. The God of Mischief had teleported.
His hunch was proven correct when he detected the Emerald Villain behind him.
The Loki chuckled. "I must admit. Out of all these mortals. You are by far the most entertaining. The myriad of forms that you assume. From one shapeshifter to another, you are well-versed in the craft."
"Hearing that from you. Makes me wanna puke." Ultimate Wildmutt spat back. He grunted as he felt a slight twinge of pain in his shoulder. On the back, a pink scar ran across his shoulder from the injury.
The Prince of Lies let out a bored sigh as he casually paced in front of Alien Avenger.
"I would have thought you'd enjoy the praise. Considering that you have finally embraced yourself for who you are. A sniveling, mindless beast," the Asgardian villain chortled.
Ultimate Wildmutt growled. "That's rich coming from the guy who sent his pet mutts to fight us."
Loki's laughter ceased, and his eyes narrowed. "Mind your tongue, filth. I will not have you speak ill of my child and grandchild."
A look of disgust appeared on Ultimate Wildmutt's eyeless face. "Gross! But I shouldn't be surprised. After all, Odin took you in out of the cold. Basically makes you a stray dog."
Loki's smirk faltered. "Are you that desperate for your life to end?"
"Please." The Teen Scoffed. "You had me dead to rights, and I'm still here. What does that tell you?"
"That is the only reason you still draw breath is because I allow it," Loki admitted smugly.
Ultimate Wildmutt's claws dug into the ground. "Yeah, Yeah. I've heard it all before. You know how many villains have said that to me? But here I am, still kicking. You know why?"
Loki tapped his finger to his chin as he sarcastically looked up to ponder the Young Heroes' question.
He then smirked and pointed to the Dial on the Evolved Alien chest.
"Because of that device." He said with an evil smirk.
Ultimate Echo Echo smirked back at him. "Just like the rest. You have no idea what I'm capable of."
"Oh, I have a clear idea now." Loki casually remarked. "In truth, you have no real power. Only that device on your wrist. Without it, you are nothing more than a speck under my boot."
Ultimate Echo Echo's fist clenched and his eyes narrowed. "Doesn't matter where my power comes from. What matters is how you use it."
Loki giggled in amusement. "It does when I remove that limb from your body." He threatened with malicious intent.
"One quick slice and you are powerless. Whereas if you attempted to do the same to me and actually succeed. I will still have my power."
Ultimate Wildmutt widened his stance and curled his tail, pawing the ground like a bull preparing to charge.
"Just try it. I dare you." He threatened the Villain with a cock grin. "Last time, someone tried to cut off his arm. Didn't end well for that guy."
"You are ignoring the point. Without that device, you are nothing. A pretender, a false changeling. Unlike myself." Loki boasted, posthumously.
Had Ultimate Wildmutt possessed eyes. He would have rolled them. "Oh yeah, you really showed me with that, turning into moths, move you made. Really great stuff."
"You really don't fathom the depths of my abilities." Loki hissed as an immense pressure emanated from his body. "My mastery of magic and illusions allowed me to assume any form to disguise myself and cause much confusion."
Blue magic surrounded his body as he glared at the Teen. "But with the power of the All-Father flowing through me, there is nothing I cannot accomplish."
The glow grew brighter as Ultimate Wildmutt took a tentative step back on impulse.
Loki grinned as he pointed to the Evolved Alien. "You believe that your power is unique. Nay, mortal."
Suddenly, Loki's blue magic turned green as his body was enveloped in a blinding bright green light.
Even though he had no eyes, the sheer intensity of the magic caused the Evolved Aliens' heightened senses to be overstimulated.
"Your powers are mine!"
When the light died down, Ultimate Wildmutt could finally make out the Trickster's appearance, and his fur stood on end.
Standing before him was Ultimate Swampfire. Every detail was copied down to the exact proportions. Even the Ultimatrix symbol was identical.
'Ultimate Swampfire' raised his right hand to examine it and chuckled. "Do you see now, Mortal?" Loki's words, spoken in the alien's voice, sent chills down his spine.
"There is nothing you can do that I cannot."
The transformed God of Mischief chuckled. This Mortal's feeble mind could never comprehend that his own power would be used against him.
Seeing his own form before him, he realises he is not unique or special. His spirit will be shaken, making him easily dispatched.
However, just as he was about to mock the Emerald Avenger, Ultimate Wildmutt appeared before him. The fins on his back extended upwards into horn-like blades as he rammed the false alien like a charging bull.
The horn blades puncturing into the petrified wood body like a hot knife in butter.
Ultimate Wildmutt carried Loki across the courtyard until they reached the walls of the palace. This didn't stop the Alien Avenger as he plowed Loki through the thick stone walls until they were outside the palace and into the city streets.
With a mighty thrust, Ultimate Wildmutt threw Loki away, causing the transformed god to roll across the ground, clutching his fresh wounds with a surprised look on his face.
"What? You think you're the first copycat I fought?" Ultimate Wildmutt asked, retracting his fins. "At least try to throw me off."
Loki Ult Swampfire grunted before aiming his hands at him and blasting a torrent of blue flames.
The evolved alien quickly dashed out of the way, using his increased speed and agility to maneuver around the uneven terrain as Loki used Ultimate Swampfire's power to rapidly blast the area apart.
He was so caught up in the attack that he unintentionally created a smokescreen to obscure the hero from view.
Using his enhanced senses, Ultimate Wildmutt easily navigated through the dense smoke while also keeping track of Loki in his blind rage.
Sneaking behind him, the Evolved Alien prepared to switch forms.
While Ultimate Wildmutt has his uses in a fight, he's far from the most practical of his Ultimate's outside of a physical brawl. Which is hardly the best strategy against someone like Loki.
However, just before he could tap the dial. Vines burst from the ground by his feet and bound each of his limbs before thrusting him into the air.
Ultimate Wildmutt thrashed and snarled, trying to free himself. But his efforts were in vain.
Loki turned to face the trapped Hero as he mentally commanded the vines to wrap around him, constricting his body into a tight hold that prevented him from moving.
"Enough of this! Your actions are nothing!" Loki snarled as he snapped his fingers.
From the vines that bound him, multiple pods of blue gel sprouted from the vine. Each growing to the size of a basketball before detonating in a violent explosion.
The Alien Teen fell to the ground in a smouldering heap, only for another pod to grow from under him like a landmine. Detonating, he was sent flying into the air.
"Your power is nothing!" Loki cried out as he summoned another pod under where the Emerald Avenger was about to land. Detonating on impact.
"Your efforts are nothing!"
He fired a cluster of pods from his hand, littering the sky with explosions that knocked the Evolved Alien around like a pinball before tumbling to the ground.
Every part of him ached, and with Ultimate Wildmutts' enhanced hearing, each explosion rattled his head, stunning him with a blinding pain like multiple red-hot pokers were being driven into his skull.
"And above all. You are nothing!" Loki spat at the Alien Shapeshifter.
In a flash of green light, Ultimate Wildmutt transformed back into Ben. His shirt was in tatters and burned. Practically falling off with only a few threads barely holding it together.
His body was scratched up and covered in scorch marks. Pain pulsed from every inch of his body, making moving almost impossible. Even breathing felt like sheer agony.
He had been on the receiving end of his alien's power before. But nothing like this. Loki's magic is infused with his alien's raw power. It made the Phoenix Force feel as though it were being splashed by boiling water.
Despite the pain, Ben forced his left arm in front of his face. Allowing him to see the Ultimatrix.
The watch was still in the green. But Ben noticed the faint flicker of blue emanating from the dial.
Ben wasn't an expert on magic. Especially the Asgardian kind. But a feeling in his gut told him that whatever boost Yggdrasil had given him was about to wear off.
At best, he could manage one more transformation. But which one?
He threw his strongest forms at him, and they barely left a mark on the God of Mischief. He used almost every Ultimate he had. Which no doubt contributed to the pain he was in.
On top of that, any alien he turns into now. Loki will be able to copy him and magnify it's power with his magic.
Making the only alien Ben could think of that could beat him is a risk. As Loki's magic could eliminate its drawbacks and possibly hand him even more power than before.
Not that Ben could use it, as he was separated from the only means to access the form.
In other words, he was cooked.
Despite all his efforts. All his strength. Loki was just too powerful. He didn't stand a chance.
He failed…
YEAH RIGHT!
Ben clenched his fists and jaw as he pushed himself off the ground. The pain was so intense that his vision became blurry, and he almost fell on his face. He caught himself and continued to push himself up.
The Young Hero glared at Loki. His emerald eyes seemed to glow as he stood tall in defiance of the False King.
Sure, Loki is powerful. Way stronger than him. But, since when has that ever stopped him?
Ben has faced beings that have conquered planets, timelines, and even realities. Each one is taking his strongest hits and throwing him around like a rag doll.
Yet, every single time. The Wielder of the Ultimatrix has stood back up, dusted himself off and kept fighting. Because whenever there are lives that are on the line. It will always be Hero Time.
Loki saw the defiant look in the Hero's eyes and he gritted his teeth.
The Villain raised his arms in a flamboyant display. "I am Loki! King of Asgard! Ruler of the Nine Realms! All will look upon me and despair!"
In a flash of light, Loki transformed into Ultimate Humungousaur. The dino alien grunted as he transformed his right hand into his bio-cannon and aimed it at Ben.
The Teen Hero glanced down at the Ultimatrix. His hand reached down and activated the device. Instantly, the core popped up and displayed the first green hologram of Terraspin. A faint blue energy emanated from the core as the Alien Avenger held it with his right hand.
"Ok, Ultimatrix," Ben whispered in a silent prayer. "No more playing games here. This is our last shot. All or nothing."
He then looked down at the floor. "Same goes for you, Yggdrasil," he said to the World Tree. "You wanted my help to fight Loki. You gotta throw me a bone here."
Ben raised his head and closed his eyes. His hand rose over the hologram.
While the Young Hero had spent countless days cursing the device for the many times it turned him into the wrong alien at the worst times, deep down, he had to admit that while the watch may not always turn him into what he wanted, it always turned him into what he needed.
Now, more than ever, he needed to have a little bit of faith.
Watching the Young Hero seemingly accept his fate, Loki grinned as he lined up his shot.
"Farewell, Mortal," the Trickster said in a chilling tone. "To call you a worthy foe would be a generous lie. Really, you are nothing more than an insignificant bug."
With that, Loki fired his bone missile. The explosive projectile, boosted by Loki's magic, blasted towards the Young Hero.
Hearing the cannon fire, Ben lowered his hand to slam down the core.
Just as his hand reached the dial, the hologram flickered. For a brief moment, the green hologram, surrounded by the magical blue aura, turned red and orange, like fire.
The missile struck just as he slammed the dial down.
A massive explosion rocked the city of Asgard. The power Loki had infused into the missile had increased its destructive capabilities beyond its original limits.
So powerful was the blast that it could be felt all across the Realm Eternal. The sheer power of the explosion destroyed the outer walls of the palace. Any structures that remained within the walls were reduced to rubble. The only thing left standing was Loki himself, still transformed as Ultimate Humungousaur.
The God of Mischief grinned evilly as he turned his hand back to normal. He will admit that he put a little extra power into that final attack. Had he put any more of the Odin Force into the projectile, he could have annihilated Asgard in its entirety.
It took great restraint on his part not to annihilate every atom of that little pest. Thankfully, he will no longer have to tolerate that mortal's annoying voice and mannerisms ever again.
For in the end, he was nothing but a mere mortal. Hardly worthy to stand amongst the Gods.
Just as he was about to turn his attention to Thor. Finally ready to strike his muscle-brained step-brother down for good.
Loki felt a powerful pulse brush past him. The air suddenly became heavy as an immense pressure filled the area.
The Asgardian Sorcerer looked around for the source. It wasn't coming from Thor, nor the Savage Ogre, nor the Armor Clade Fool. Surely it could not be coming from Odin. His spell was still in effect.
Then who?
A familiar sensation crept up Lokis spine as he stiffened and turned around. Back to where the Changeling had stood.
From the dark smoke bellowing from the impact sight, where Loki had poured a considerable amount of the Odin Force into a single attack.
A pair of green eyes glowed from the ashes.
"Impossible." Loki gasped as he took a step back in shock.
As the smoke cleared, a new figure emerged at the centre of the impact site.
It has a humanoid robotic appearance and is taller than Ultimate Humungousaur. Its body is green and white, featuring large cylinders near its wrists that are filled with a green, energy-like substance that constantly bubbles. This energy also appears within the prominent green hourglass symbol on its chest, identical to the Ultimatrix symbol. Its head is shaped like a pointed, armored helmet.
It wears the real Ultimatrix symbol on its green and white belt.
"I am no bug." The Robotic Alien responded before putting his fists on his hips and striking a heroic pose.
"I am, ATOMIX!"
Loki was shocked by what he saw. The Mortal was exuding power beyond any that he had demonstrated before. Beyond any mortal he had ever encountered. Was he hiding this power all this time? How could such a weak and frail human possess this much power within him and hide it so well?
The Alien known as Atomix looked at his hands. He could feel the power surging through him. Like ten cups of coffee all at once. What's more is that all the pain and fatigue he felt just seconds ago had evaporated entirely.
He felt good. Really good. It was similar to how he felt as Feedback, only cranked up to the Nth degree.
This new form was unlike anything he'd ever felt before. But admiring it would have to wait. Time to hit the ground running and see what this bad boy can do.
Loki eventually overcame his shock and awe at the new form and assumed a fighting stance.
"It matters not what form you assume. Your time is at an end." Loki roared as he used Ultimate Humungousaur's powerful legs to leap into the air, cocking back his right fist.
"Wrong foul, Villain!" Atomix responded in a bombastic, heroic voice. "For whenever evil raises its ugly head. The ever-ticking clock of Justice will chime when the hands land on one moment. And that time is…"
With that, Atomix launched himself at Loki, his right fist extended out in front of him while his left arm was tucked close to his chest as the Robotic Alien flew towards Loki at impressive speed.
Seeing him coming, Loki thrust his fist forward in a powerful right hook, his fist glowing with blue magic as their two fists collide.
A massive pulse of green energy erupted from Atomix's enormous fist. The shockwave was so powerful that it split the clouds as the sheer power from the two beings clashed. Atomix energy easily overpowered Loki's as the villain was sent flying, while Atomix proceeded to pump his fist into the sky, his green energy glowing with the sun's beams behind him.
"Hero Time!" He finished his chant as the green energy cast its rays over the city, warmed by the sun.
The Teen Hero mentally cheered to himself. With this form, he was able to sense the concentrated energy of the Odin Force in Loki's fist. Attempting to overpower that blow with brute force was likely gonna end badly for him.
But he remembered his past battles with the Avengers. Specifically, the fight with Radioactive Man. Focused radiation can rob an object of its momentum. But focusing the radioactive energy this form produces into his fist. Atomix was able to steal all of Loki's momentum and then maximise his energy output to overpower him.
Even so, with how his body is feeling, he felt like he could've taken him without that little cheat.
But he couldn't let himself be cocky now.
As Loki groaned and shook his head. He was a little taken aback by the Hero's sudden burst of power.
He couldn't dwell on it for long as Atomix flew above his head and held his hands just in front of his chest.
Focusing his power, a green sphere of energy formed between the appendages as the alien chanted.
"HAA-MEE-NA, HAA-MEE-NA, HAA-MEE-NA, HAA-MEE-NA, HAA-MEE-NA!"
With that, Atomix fired the energy sphere at Loki. The God of Mischiefs eyes widened as the green orb filled his vision.
Back in the courtyard, Iron Man, Thor and Hulk were still frozen like statues. The paralyzing venom kept them from moving. But their eyes and lungs still worked fine. Meaning they were forced to watch helplessly as Ben battled Loki by himself.
It pained them to see the young hero being beaten repeatedly by Loki's power, and they couldn't do anything to help him.
Yet despite all that. No matter how hard the Young Avenger was beaten down. He got right back up and kept fighting.
Their worry only grew when Ultimate Wildmutt took the fight into the city. Now that they couldn't see him anymore, they felt even more helpless.
Thor tried with all his might to move, but his body would not respond. Once more bound by Loki's power, it vexed him to no end to imagine Loki merely playing with them this whole time.
In his anger, he let out a grunt of frustration. Suddenly, a slight tingling sensation danced across his fingers.
Sparing a glance at his hand, Thor focused and found his index finger wiggling.
Mustering his willpower, Thor commanded his hand to move, and sure enough, slowly but steadily, the extremity obeyed his command as his hand flexed, opening and closing as it had done from the moment he was born.
Eventually, this liberating sensation reached his lips as he finally parted his jaw. Taking in a lungful of air as he felt his muscles loosen.
"Everyone good?" Iron Man suddenly asked, next to him. His own body seemingly freed from the spell.
"Aye, my friend," Thor answered.
Hulk grunted in response. His body glowing with gamma energy as his anger reached new levels.
"Smash Puny God," he snarled, his limbs not quite recovered, making his movement look janky, like a stop-motion robot.
"Worry not, Hulk. We shall soon be free of Loki's curse, and once we are. He shall taste our…"
"This isn't Loki's power." Iron Man interrupted, cutting Thor off.
Thor looked at the Armored Hero with a bewildered expression. "What?"
Iron Man's helmet creaked like a rusty gate as he turned his head to face him. "The stuff he hit us with. It's not magic. Its Wildmutt's. Well, it's that evolved Wildmutt's. But that's beside the point."
Thor's eyes widened in shock. Iron Man couldn't blame him; he had the exact same expression on his face when his HUD displayed the analysis of the substance they were hit with.
Didn't take long for the results to come back, as he already had it on file. When Ben tested this form out in the training room a while back, the results were identical. This is Ultimate Wildmutt's venom.
The fact that this venom is strong enough to paralyze Hulk, Thor, and himself at once is frightening. The kid takes the term 'limitless potential' to a whole new meaning.
Suddenly, a massive explosion boomed across the city. In the distance, a green mushroom cloud rose within the city.
The trio looked on with surprised looked only for Iron Man's HUB to start flashing red as a specific symbol began flashing before his eyes.
"Guys. I'm picking up high levels of radiation here. The readings are off the chart." He said urgently.
Thor turned his gaze to the Gamma Giant who shrugged.
"Don't look at me, blondie." He grunted.
The three heroes paused for a moment before their eyes widened as they turned toward the source of the explosion. Several more explosions erupted as a few buildings began to collapse, a green glow cutting through the city.
"Ben!" the heroes cried.
Atomix flew into the side of a building. Denting the walls as he seemed to grunt with discomfort.
He raised his head to see Loki charging towards him with murderous intent.
Balling his fists, the energy within his forearms and chest glowed as Atomix wrenched himself from the wall and charged straight towards Loki.
The Prince of Lies summoned the blue magic of the Odin Force and attempted to blast the Alien Avenger with a powerful beam of energy.
In response, Atomix focused his nuclear energy in front of his body, concentrating and releasing the energy just as Loki's magic hit him.
While the properties of magic are largely unknown, a common trait of Loki's beams is the heat they emit. The release of atomic nuclei, combined with extreme heat, results in nuclear fusion.
Resulting in an explosive amount of heat and energy, the kind that powers the sun. With the Atomic Alien harnessing Loki's magic to fuel the thermonuclear reaction, he is able to generate a barrier to neutralise Loki's attack and shoot towards him like a missile.
"FISSILE WHISTLE!" Atomix cried out.
Loki's eyes widened as Atomix collided with him. A shockwave burst from their collision as the Alien Avenger tackled Loki out of the air, ramming him into the ground with enough force to dig into the earth.
Atomix proceeded to drag Loki through the city, blasting through buildings and statues dedicated to him.
Grabbing Loki by the face, Atomix lifted the Asgardian Villain up and smashed him through the large statue of himself. Shattering the structure into rubble.
His being the object of the destruction of his own tribute seemed to be the final straw for Loki as his eye glowed blue, and he let out a savage roar as he unleashed a wave of magic that washed over Atomix. Surrounding the Alien Hero in a blue aura before being telekinetically pushed away from the Sorcerer.
Loki glared at the Hero as he floated into the air. His hand, outstretched with blue magic surrounding it, held Atomix in place.
The Nuclear Alien struggled against the Norse Gods' power. His body was pinned by the mystical energy that surrounded him.
A smile appeared on Loki's face as he slowly coiled his fingers, like he was squeezing an invisible stress ball.
Atomix felt immense pressure on his body. His armored body creaked from the strain of the power surge.
Only for his chest to glow once more as suddenly the mystical energy surrounding him turned from blue to green as Atomix flexed his arms, and even though his mouth didn't move, he had a satisfied smirk on his face.
"No power can contain a righteous spirit," Atomix exclaimed with enthusiasm.
The Alien Teen was amazed by the power of this new form. By opening his senses to the energy acting upon him, Atomix was able to adapt and match the energy frequency, allowing him to bend the power to his will.
While not really controlling the power himself. Atomix could sense that the Odin Force was resisting Loki's will. Like a spring that was bent out of shape and was fighting to return to its natural shape.
The energy had two layers. The primary Odin Force power and the power Loki was using to manipulate it. All Atomix did was manipulate the energy Loki was using on the Odin Force to allow the energy to return to its natural state.
Loki snarled as Atomix waved his hands in a wide circular motion before him. His forearms glowed brightly, leaving a slight energy trail as he chanted once more.
"HAA-MEE-NA, HAA-MEE-NA, HAA-MEE-NA, HAA-MEE-NA, HAA-MEE-NA!" The alien rhythmically repeated as he concentrated on his power, charging up his energy as the atoms within his body accelerated with excitement.
In response, Loki materialised his spear in his hand and raised the weapon above his head. Blue energy surrounded the spearhead as it glowed with pure magic power.
The winds shifted, and clouds swirled above them. Debris was swept up as the air pressure increased. The air became turbulent, and the atoms became energised by the power emanating from the area.
Atomix and Loki locked eyes as they charged up their respective powers.
"NUCLEAR WINNER!" The Atomic Alien shouted as he unleashed a powerful, focused beam of green nuclear energy from his hands.
While Loki blasted a pure blue beam of magic energy from his spear.
The beams sliced through the air with such speed and intensity that the air itself seemed to catch on fire.
When they collided, those within 100 feet of the combatants would have felt their ears pop from the sudden change in pressure. Magic and Atomic energy collided in a brilliant display of power as the opposing forces pushed against each other, and the colliding energy swelled in a sphere of blinding lights, almost like a small sun was being formed between them.
Atomix pushed with all his might against Loki's magic. However, even with this new alien's immense power, the young hero could feel his energy being overpowered. Slowly but surely, Loki's strength was growing while his was waning.
Loki thrust his spear forward with more intensity as the energy sphere was pushed closer to the Alien Shapeshifter. Causing his arms to shake as he struggled to hold back the incoming tide of power.
Just before the energy overwhelmed him, a familiar rumble of thunder met his ear as Atomix looked up to see Mjolnir fly overhead.
The magic hammer collided with Loki's chest, sending him flying with a cry of pain. Cutting off the beam as Atomix quickly dissipated his energy, the beams cancelled out.
As Loki sailed through the air, with Mjolnir firmly against his chest. The God of Mischief attempted to use his magic to blow the mystical mallet away.
However, before he could, Hulk leapt from below him and tackled Loki, grabbing his leg to hold him in place before punching Loki with enough force to send him flying into the distance.
Loki's screams could be heard echoing across the city, growing fainter as he sailed into the distance. His form grew smaller until he became a tiny dot in the distance before disappearing over the mountain range on the far end of Asgard.
As if Hulk had punched him hard enough to knock him out of the realm itself.
With a temporary break in the fight. Atomix took this moment to catch his breath. Even though he didn't need to breathe in this form. He automatically defaulted to bending over and resting his palms on his knees in response to his fatigued state.
Though he could feel his energy rapidly recovering. Like the stamina bar in a video game. The Alien Avenger used too many combo moves at once and used more power than he could generate.
In a few short seconds, the Young Avenger recovered enough to rise back up just as Thor and Iron Man arrived on the scene.
Iron Man gave the Alien hero a once-over, checking out the new form.
"Nice duds, Benny Boy." The Billionaire complimented. "Where have you been hiding this one?"
"Alas, Master of Machines, I stand before you, uncertain! For never before have my eyes laid upon this form!" Atomix admitted.
Beneath his mask, Tony smirked at the Alien's boisterous manner of speaking. Like how the characters in Captain America's old comic books used to talk.
Clearly, this was one of the forms that affected Ben's mentality. Thankfully, it wasn't one that made him aggressive like Rath.
Alarms went off on his HUD as Tony saw the flashing symbol for radioactive material, and he looked at the Teen with a concerned expression.
"Woah, Ben. This new guy. He's producing high levels of radioactive energy. The amount of power this guy is giving off. Only thing that comes close would be the sun."
In response, Atomix let out a hearty laugh. "Well said, Old chum! The power of this transformation is completely Outrageous!"
Thor let out a small chuckle as he patted the Nuclear Aliens' shoulder. "Truly, this is a mighty form, Young Ben. Let us test its might in battle."
No sooner had he said that than a flash of light illuminated behind them as Loki teleported before the team.
"Yes. Let us see how long it takes for me to rip you apart, limb by limb!" The Trickster shrieked as he unleashed a wave of magic from his spear.
The Trio immediately moved to defend themselves. Thor spun his hammer, Iron Man crossed his arms, and Atomix generated a barrier of concentrated nuclear energy.
Even with their defences, the trio was blasted back by the power.
As they fell, Hulk launched himself at Loki with his fist raised.
However, Loki easily caught the fist in his hand as he channelled his magic through the Hulk, surrounding him in a blue aura before tossing him towards the others.
Atomix saw the incoming Gamma Giant and flew to catch him. However, Loki's spell apparently mixed with Hulk's gamma energy, making it unstable. Turning the Hulk into a living warhead.
Colliding with the Atomic Alien caused an explosion that sent both of them flying.
Iron Man rocketed into the air, blasting his repulsors at Loki, who simply raised his hand to generate a shield that blocked the attacks.
The Prince of Lies pointed his finger at the Armored Hero and snapped his finger.
Suddenly, the air around Iron Man turned into a green mist that flowed into the armor.
Within his suit, Iron Man started coughing as the air burned his throat.
It didn't take a genius to figure out that Loki had turned the air around him into a poisonous vapour. With this armor lacking a filtration system, the toxic air swiftly filled his suit, suffocating him.
Tony considered opening the suit to vent the toxic air. But doing so would leave him vulnerable to Loki's magic.
Fortunately, help arrived in the form of Thor, who summoned a gust of wind to blow away the poisonous mist and fill the Armored hero's suit with clean, fresh air.
Thor then turned his attention to his villainous stepbrother and attacked with full force, blasting lightning from his hammer while generating hurricane winds to pelt Loki with the full force of the elements.