Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Dodoria's Arrival
Chapter 20: Dodoria's Arrival
Ben felt his body tense as the figure descended from the sky, a sinister presence that seemed to fill the battlefield with an oppressive weight. His first instinct was to prepare for a fight, but he quickly realized this opponent was different. Dodoria, one of Frieza's most feared lieutenants, stood before him, his bloated figure framed by an entourage of elite soldiers.
Ben had no time to waste.
He snapped his fingers, the familiar hum of the Omnitrix echoing in the air. The light flared, but his mind was already calculating. XLR8 wasn't going to be enough this time. Dodoria was too powerful, too dangerous. Ben could feel the energy radiating off him.
Dodoria's smug grin grew wider as he landed, his large form shifting and rolling with each movement. He surveyed the wreckage of the battlefield, his gaze landing on Ben.
"Well, well," Dodoria's voice rumbled, "I see Frieza's little games are attracting interesting players these days."
Ben didn't respond. Instead, he took a step back, analyzing his surroundings. The battle was still raging behind him, but there was no time to focus on that. He needed to end this quickly. His scanners told him Dodoria's power level was astronomical, and he had no doubt that if he made a mistake, the result would be catastrophic.
Nabu, still lying in the dirt, struggled to raise his head. "Get… get out of here, kid. He's too strong!"
Ben didn't reply. His focus was solely on Dodoria.
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The Clash of Power
Dodoria didn't seem in any hurry. He lazily floated a few feet above the ground, arms crossed, watching Ben with the same disinterested expression he always wore when facing inferior opponents.
"I've dealt with a lot of weaker beings in my time," Dodoria said with a smirk. "But you... you have potential. Perhaps Frieza will be interested in you after I bring your head to him."
Ben clenched his fist. There was no potential here—just an obstacle standing between him and his objectives. He couldn't afford to be distracted by his emotions. He needed to think clearly.
"I'd advise you not to underestimate me," Ben said flatly. "You'll regret it."
Dodoria scoffed. "I've wiped out entire planets, kid. Regret doesn't really fit into my vocabulary."
Without warning, Dodoria lunged at Ben, his massive fists slamming down toward him. The shockwave sent debris flying, but Ben was already moving.
XLR8 moved with impossible speed, evading the first attack by mere inches. He darted around Dodoria's attacks, the ground beneath his feet cracking with each collision of Dodoria's fist against the earth. Ben had the speed, but Dodoria had the power.
Ben needed to strike fast and avoid getting caught in a single hit, but Dodoria was relentless, his attacks becoming faster and more precise with every moment.
Boom!
Ben barely avoided a devastating blast of energy that Dodoria released from his mouth, the explosion ripping through the battlefield.
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Strategy Over Strength
Ben gritted his teeth. If he didn't find an opening, he would be overpowered in the blink of an eye. He was fast, but Dodoria was relentless. This wasn't just about speed anymore—it was about staying one step ahead and using his intelligence.
Ben flicked his wrist, and the Omnitrix glowed again. This time, instead of XLR8, he shifted into a new form. Jetray, a flying alien with the ability to unleash powerful energy blasts.
The change was immediate. Ben felt his body transform, his wings unfurling as his speed and agility shot through the roof. He zipped into the air, a bright streak of light against the darkened sky.
Dodoria grinned, a rare spark of excitement in his eyes. "Now this is interesting."
Ben didn't waste a moment. He fired a barrage of energy blasts from his tail and eyes, aiming for Dodoria's massive form. The explosions rocked Dodoria, but they only seemed to irritate him.
Ben's mind raced. He needed to outthink him. Dodoria was strong, but he wasn't exactly known for his intelligence.
As Ben continued to bombard Dodoria, he noticed the large form was becoming slower with each hit. He was getting too used to taking the hits, but there was one problem: Ben wasn't hitting the target.
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A Sneaky Advantage
Then it hit him.
Dodoria wasn't used to opponents who could keep attacking from all angles. In a normal fight, his enemies had to come to him. But Ben wasn't like that. He was using his speed, his flying, and his constant barrage of attacks to force Dodoria into a defensive position.
Ben dove down, changing direction mid-flight and striking with a burst of speed. He dodged Dodoria's attempt to grab him and landed a powerful punch to his side. It was enough to send Dodoria stumbling backward, his grin slipping for a second.
"You're fast, kid," Dodoria spat, wiping blood from his mouth. "But don't think you can keep up forever. I'll destroy you."
Ben's eyes glowed with a new resolve. He wasn't done yet. He needed to press the advantage while Dodoria was off balance.
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The Final Moment
Ben launched forward again, this time using a combination of Jetray's speed and energy attacks to create a distraction. He wasn't focused on winning this fight in a direct confrontation. Instead, he was working toward a smarter conclusion.
With a flick of his tail, Ben sent a high-energy beam directly at Dodoria's chest. The blast tore through the armor, pushing Dodoria back.
Ben felt his energy drain, but he didn't stop. He had to keep fighting.
But Dodoria wasn't finished yet. He surged forward with an explosive counterattack, a roar that echoed through the battlefield. This fight wasn't over. Not by a long shot.
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