At last. A massive yellow-armored being gazed at the barren line he had dug around the wildfire zone to contain the blaze. Sure, there might have been a better way to put out a wildfire but letting it burn everything within the boundary just worked and was the only viable solution he could think of Heatblast couldnt just absorb fire like in the saga it wasnt logical in the first place too bad every plant, insect, and small animal inside was doomed.
The Omnitrix symbol on his torso identified him as Ben Tennyson. Hed transformed into Armodrillo again, just like the day before, to quickly dig containment lines around the fire. Though first, hed used another transformation to regenerate his limbs, reducing his transformation time.
His eyes scanned the surroundings. I feel that I have less than two minutes before I turn back to human. What do I do with him?
Against a nearby tree lay the unconscious form of Captain Nemesis or what remained of him; his missing arm served as a stark reminder of their fierce battle. He wore only his black bodysuit now, while pieces of his orange metallic powersuit lay scattered across the burning zone like confetti.
Better wake him up and knock him out again than risk him waking during the time-out. Armodrillo watched Nemesis carefully. Hes unarmed, but His thought cut short as he caught the slight twitch of Nemesiss hand (the obviously remaining one). Lets knock him out.
The bulky alien strode toward his fallen opponent.
FREEZE, TEN BENNYSON! Nemesis picked up a device from behind him a detonator, its red button already under his thumb.
Ben froze, hearing only the roar of the contained wildfire. You had nothing on you. How?
Awake the whole time. You think that beating was enough? I survived Computron and his entire army alone. Your little teleportation trick or whatever it was just caught me off guard. He shook the device with a smirk. Lucky I stashed this nearby Now hand over that watch, or else!
Else what? What exactly does this detonator trigger? Bens voice remained casual. One minute left. No matter what happens, I NEED TO DEAL WITH IT.
If he were human, sweat would have been streaming down his face. Fortunately, Armodrillos mechanical features couldnt betray emotion though his green eyes flickered with barely contained emotion.
Several bombs underneath your bus or whats the term? RV? Motor Home? Anyway, if I press this button, the old man who should be your grandfather and the girl who should be your cousin will die. The declaration hit Ben like ice water. This wasnt something he could handle in a straightforward manner.
Nemesis continued.
If youre wondering, I was torn between killing you or just kidnapping you. Not that I have any reservations about murder, but we are strangers after all. Nemesiss voice dripped with cruel amusement. I planted the explosives right after your lights went out. Then you wandered out of the vehicle, and well, you know the rest. And
Ben ignored Nemesiss continued monologue. Thirty seconds left. Less if I transform again maybe just seconds.
Oh, and Nemesis pressed the button but kept his thumb firmly in place. Just to be on the safe side. If this is released, then THEY EXPLODE!
Despite his racing heart, Bens mind remained focused, the adrenaline helping him stay clear-headed. Seconds stretched into eternity. He wasnt a genius, and he had no plan, but he knew exactly which alien he needed. He slammed his metallic hand against the dial at his torso, making Nemesis flinch as green light flooded the area.Stolen story; please report.
If you destroy the detonator or my thumb releases, IT WILL GO OFF! Nemesis screamed, squinting his eyes.
The exposed brain of an orange crablike alien began to charge with electricity. Its codename was Brainstorm.
Four seconds remaining Childs play. This transformation is quite fascinating, really. Its almost as if my superior intellect has been unleashed, affecting my thought process, making me less worried about everything. I wonder, what drives Dr. Psychobos to seek to be the greatest mind? Not that it matters.
3.90 seconds remaining. Now that I have this transformation, I can finally tackle the really important questions. Is a soup a drink or a dish?
3.80 seconds remaining. Lets analyze it. Is the definition of a drink something that we drink? Then a soup should be considered a drink.
3.70 seconds remaining. However, some soups have solid, undrinkable objects in them. Does that make them a drink? Additionally, some drinks also have solid, undrinkable objects in them. Its an interesting paradox.
3.60 seconds remaining. We usually eat/drink a soup with a spoon, like a dish, and not like a drink.
3.50 seconds remaining. Most restaurants list soups as a dish, not a drink. But thats just a human convention.
3.40 seconds remaining. Im not bound by those conventions, though. I can see the issue from multiple angles.
3.30 seconds remaining. Hmm I forgot something Ah yes, Nemesis. I should act quickly, only my brain runs in superspeed.
3.20 seconds remaining. Given my current limitations in power mastery and knowledge, Ive devised a single viable plan based on instinctual knowledge.
Success rate: 100%.
Failure is never an option for a mind like mine. Fortunately, the transformations light blinded Nemesis. Without that advantage, the odds might have been hypothetically closer to 50%, not that Id ever truly be at risk of failure.
Brainstorms brain fully crackled with electricity before releasing a precise stream forward far from a mindless attack.
In real time, Nemesis barely opened his eyes before electricity coursed through his body, like thousands of needles piercing his slightly carbonized skin.
I cant move!
Five beeps pierced the air over three seconds before a final, blinding red flash. Completely paralyzed, Nemesis couldnt even twitch his eyelids at the annoying flash. Ten Bennyson approached, but his face showed no smugness only pity.
...You only have yourself to blame, Nemesis.
Why did he begin with that?
I think the exact term used should be muscle contraction, muscle paralysis or muscle something, an instinct that Brainstorm has to chase and protect itself. I caused it your entire body, but obviously, I couldnt be bothered to learn the limits of a human body, so I had to use all my charge to stop you.
I dont know the full extent of your current damage, but at least there shouldnt be any internal organ failure. However, your whole body might be unusable forever
Nemesiss pupils contracted the only movement his body could still manage.
The teenager paused, then added:
I didnt think it was possible youd already hit rock bottom in my esteem, but somehow you found a shovel and kept digging.
No movement came from Nemesis; only tears dripped from his eyes. Of course, he wasnt crying from Bens comment but from his complete paralysis and the audacity of his tormentor to blame him for it. He remained still as a statue, or more accurately, a water fountain.
I wont call for a hospital. Whether you die or not has nothing to do with me. You really need a hero now. Ben walked away. Kind of ironic to have chosen the path of freedom only to no longer have it.
I lied HAHAHAHAHAHA! IT WASNT A DEAD MANS SWITCH, JUST A SIMPLE BUTTON! YOU DIDNT HEAR ANYTHING BECAUSE OF THE FIRE, BUT I FELT IT THE VIBRATIONS WHEN I PRESSED IT! THEY EXPLODED! THEY ARE IN PIECES! THEY ARE EVERYWHERE! THEY ARE DEAD! DEAD! DEAD! DEAD! DEAD! DEAD! DEAD! DEAD! DEAD! DEAD! YOU CLAIMED YOU DIDNT WANT TO BE A HERO? FINE! I BELIEVE YOU NOW! I MADE SURE OF IT! THEY WERE ALREADY DEAD WHEN YOU PARALYZED ME, KID! ALL YOUR EFFORT, ALL YOUR POWER MEANINGLESS! YOU COULDNT SAVE ANYONE!
Tears of joy streamed down Carl Nesmiths paralyzed face the only movement his body could still manage. In his frozen state, this twisted ecstasy was all he had left.
Checkmate! I win!
Win what? Only Nemesis knew
ah no even he didnt.
Chapter 9 – Interface
Tears of joy streamed down Carl Nesmiths paralyzed face the only movement his body could still manage. In his frozen state, this twisted ecstasy was all he had left.
Checkmate! I win!
But soon he would have nothing left.
BEN! YOUVE GOT SOME EXPLAINING TO DO! PYROMANIAC! Gwen, Bens orange-haired cousin, suddenly rushed forward and dropped into a low stance, her leg whipping out in a precise sweep that caught Ben completely off-guard. He went down and before he could recover, she had him pinned with a textbook karate hold.
Ben lay there in the dirt, too stunned to fight back, his mind still reeling from everything that had happened. However, one thing became evident: he needed to improve his peripheral vision. This was especially important considering he had already been caught off guard twice in his human form since acquiring the Omnitrix.
Currently, the watch was in time-out, its usual green now replaced by red.
GRANDPA! I FOUND BEN! Gwens shout snapped Ben back to reality.
Nemesis accomplished nothing. Every last one of his actions dissolved into meaninglessness, like black smoke in the night air. His eyes went blank, devoid of light.
This wasnt me! Ben struggled.
Really? Another forest just happens to burn the day after you torched the first one, and you just happen to be here? She twisted her hold tighter.
Ben gritted his teeth. Dont forget, Gwen. I can transform into 10 fucking aliens with plenty of ways to make your life miserable.
But not right now can you? She applied more pressure.
You b His threat ended in a scream of pain.
Since its creation, my Rust Bucket has never suffered serious damage, and now the first time is because of some angry celebrity?! Max Tennyson exhaled in frustration.
The Rust Bucket had suffered damage from an explosion beneath it.
The good news was that it wasnt a normal vehicle if it had been, it would have been reduced to pieces beyond repair. Even if Gwen and Max had been inside, their fate would have been uncertain, the explosions lethality depending on various factors.
The bad news was that they couldnt simply call a random engineer to fully repair what was essentially a beyond-tank-class secret vehicle.
As a result, they found themselves temporarily stranded in a nearby hotel.
Inside the windowless Rust Bucket, Max packed everything of value and importance into a box. Though he couldnt take everything, he made sure to secure what they couldnt afford to lose. As he exited the vehicle with the cardboard box, each step cracked the glass fragments on the ground, creating soft tinkling noises.
He paused, surprised, as several hidden frogs and birds darted out of the vehicle through a broken window, startled by his presence.
Cleaning will take time Odd, frogs are usually attracted to water sources, but they werent in the open toilet. He shook his head it wasnt important.
Maxs brow furrowed as he considered their situation.
Were stuck here, and I dont like it one bit. The sooner we reach Mt. Rushmore, the sooner were protected and I can fix everything. To think a minor villain, as Ben called him, would go so far as to try to kill him immediately and set up bombs. Its fortunate for Nemesis that Ben and Gwen were in the forest; if not
He trailed off, jaw clenching.
It was supposed to be a family break! WHY
Taking a deep breath, Max resumed his walk toward the hotel.
Ive called the genius duo for repairs. He ran a hand through his gray hair. Its a shame the only remaining vehicles at the base are ridiculously small.
A regular engineer would handle the window replacements and door repairs, making his presence normal once the Rust Bucket became habitable again. Though less armored than a tank, the RV packed far more firepower leaving it unoccupied would be careless. But with authorities investigating the nearby forest, Max had to avoid drawing attention.
Ben lay on his hotel bed, scrolling through wiki articles on his phone to expand his knowledge for Brainstorm.
What he didnt know was that knowledge was pointless without understanding though since Brainstorm easily understood any concepts, this wasnt really an issue. Still, knowing this would help him be more efficient if he could grasp basics while human, Brainstorm could understand concepts in maybe 3 seconds instead of 20 or 30, which mattered when each transformation had a 30-minute limit and cooldown.
For example, with efficient learning (3s / concept), Ben could fully learn 100 concepts in 5 minutes. However, with his current method (25s / concept), he couldnt even complete 100 concepts in one transformation hed need nearly 42 minutes total. In this case, the time savings of 36.67 minutes were clearly significant.
His reading was interrupted as Gwen echoed for the umpteenth time, pacing the room.
Everything is your fault! Alien freak! The vacation hasnt even begun, and were already stuck in an unsanitary hotel.
Ben sighed, setting his phone down. Its more that jerks fault.
He reflected on the incident. The detonator had been real but ordinary no continuous signal, just a simple press. If Gwen and his grandfather hadnt been present when he saw the state of the Rust Bucket, Ben might have
He shook his head, pushing away the thought. But next time, he promised himself he wouldnt be indecisive. Nemesis was clearly mentally unstable, targeting him and attempting to kill strangers (Gwen and Max) just to hurt him getting rid of him wasnt unjustified in his view. I still feel no mental resistance to killing but can I actually do the act?
After explaining that Carl targeted him because of the saga, theyd called emergency services anonymously to collect Nemesis.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
Surprisingly, Gwen didnt show much shock, despite being a fangirl as a kid (he remembered because it was maybe the only thing they liked in common). Maybe its like toys or games. Things go out of fashion but not Sumo Slammers of course.
He sat up on his bed, looking at Gwen. So whats your take on all this?
Gwen arched an eyebrow. All what?
You know everything. He gestured his hand vaguely. The way you cope with everything without freaking out and asking too much question. Youre weirdly calm about well, everything. He pressed on, figuring if they were stuck together all summer, they might as well try to understand each other better.
Uh-huh. Gwen froze, caught off guard by the seemingly innocent question. W-well, I dont really believe you, but Grandpa seems to, and hes not losing it yet. Ill believe it when I see it, I guess.
She hesitated, mentally kicking herself. Crap, I totally forgot to ask the obvious.
Trying to keep her voice casual, she added, Speaking of seeing things, why dont you show me one of these alien transformations? You know, if its real and all.
Max had readily believed Ben due to his unexpected knowledge about aliens and the Plumbers. The intricate details of the Omniversal war seemed far too complex and sophisticated to be just an elaborate prank.
However, Gwen, who wasnt supposed to know anything about this, had to display some skepticism. After all, why should she simply believe her cousins extraordinary claims without proof?
Sure, why not? Ben shrugged, standing up. He pressed a button, and the dial of the Omnitrix rose. As he turned it, a slight frown crossed his face at one of the displayed figures, but he paused before continuing to the next.
Lets choose him. The AI did say this transformation wasnt useless which might actually be the case in the end. Time to discover another part of myself!
With determination in his eyes, he slammed the dial. The room instantly flooded with brilliant green light.
For some reason, the bird watching them through the windows didnt blink at the light.
Suddenly, Bens form began to shrink, stopping at just under a meter tall. Brownish-orange fur sprouted all over his body, while his two front teeth grew larger, protruding from his mouth. A green and black jumpsuit materialized, covering most of his body except for his arms and face. Green gloves appeared on his hands.
The transformation concluded with the growth of an oversized blond mustache, completing his new appearance.
I must say, this mustache gives me a sense of limitless possibility, Mole-Stache stroked it thoughtfully. He looked up at Gwen with a polite smile. What do you think, dear cousin?
Gwen blinked. This is more impressive than I expected. What can you do?
Ive never seen this alien before It must be new or from the Ben 10 Omniverse series where Gwen Prime is less present. And his speech is different.
Allow me to demonstrate, I can do One side of the mustache grew exponentially, its tip morphing into a hand-like shape. Mole-Stache moved his mustached appendage toward Gwen and lightly flicked her forehead. That! I dare say you might be a tad envious of such magnificent facial hair?
Gwen touched her forehead, exasperated. Not really Anyway, Ben, I dont really understand your whole story about the so-called Omniversal war.
I do apologize, but Im not fond of repeating myself, Gwen. Ben absently stroked his mustache. Especially since, on second thought, your presence seems rather unnecessary. Perhaps I should have a word with Grandpa about returning you to your parents when the opportunity arises. Though, what reason could we give without raising suspicion?
Then explain why you chose freedom over control, Gwen pressed. As you phrased it, there isnt really a good or bad choice.
Indeed, I phrased it as such, but in all honesty, I believe I made the least unfavorable choice. Its not ideal, but its far from terrible. Having ones life dictated by another is rather unpleasant, wouldnt you agree?
So, you have second thoughts? Gwen raised an eyebrow. And if I remember correctly, were currently free, just like Nemesis, who you call a filler villain She trailed off, but Ben understood her implication.
Ben paused, his expression growing serious. I wont say Im brave enough not to have doubts, especially when Nemesis tried to kill us without hesitation. He could have killed me if Id chosen the wrong alien. And he only had access to three episodes out of hundreds in the saga to prepare himself.
He paced the room frantically, his speech pattern shifting as his stress levels seemingly rose. So yeah, I have second thoughts. Of course I have second thoughts! Who the hell wouldnt have second thoughts in this situation?! But this freedom, this crazy, terrifying freedom that Nemesis had access to, that Vilgax has access to, its what allows me to use my aliens effectively. Its what allows everyone to actually do something!
Its the same freedom that allows our planet no, scratch that, our universe wait, no, our multiverse no, our GODDAMN OMNIVERSE to reach new possibilities, by making new choices.
But if we go for control? If we choose to play it safe? Were doomed. Doomed to stagnate, doomed to repeat the same mistakes over and over and over again!
He then paused, then looked up, smiling at Gwen. Id much prefer a life lived fully than one not lived at all. I trust you can appreciate my perspective on the matter, my dear cousin.
Gwen seemed lost in deep consideration. I see I believe in what you said.
Ben slowly calmed himself as he remembered something. He took a deep breath, his shoulders relaxing.
He slammed his gloved hand at the Omnitrix dial attached to his belt. A green light engulfed the room as he transformed back to his human form, the device now attached to his left wrist.
The AI told me to keep pressing the button.
Soon, a menu screen appeared in his perception, despite not being physically present. His green eyes widened as he waved his arm forward, only to touch nothing.
Using the Omnitrix dial as a makeshift touchpad, he navigated through the options until he found a setting to project the screen. With a tap, a green holographic display materialized, projected onto the worn, grayish wall of the room.
Transformation
? Max transformation time [locked]: 30 minutes.
? Time reduction after another transformation [locked]: -30%.
? [More]
Note: The host needs to unlock the energy management tweak or manage to figure out themselves.
? OS and data, backup and rollback (Beware: if the Omnitrix is hacked, the host should not assume that they will be able to use this setting.)
...Is your watch some kind of laptop, Ben? Gwen blinked in surprise as she stared at the menu, which bore a striking resemblance to those found on modern devices.
It was logical that the Omnitrix would have a menu system, but seeing it laid out in such a familiar format was somehow underwhelming. Like a teen who had always suspected a holiday character wasnt real, only to have a parent methodically explain away every last trace of mystery and magic that had once surrounded it Yeah, it happened to Gwen.
Ben turned his head, It seems that way, but I wonder what these notifications are about
An automated message suddenly appeared on the screen:
[An external access attempt was made on 3 June 2024 at 18:40 | EARTH UTC-5]
[The source is unknown, but only those familiar with the Omnitrixs internal workings should be able to make such an attempt, as all external connections are disabled by default (except those related to the Omniversal war).]
[What would you like to do? (Accept/Deny/Always Accept/Forever Deny)]
[Default action after 30 seconds: Deny.]
[Warning: Only accept from trusted sources. Note that the party attempting access should be able to leave a message, but none is present.]
Ben quickly pressed the Deny option, then checked the logs.
Whos trying to access my Omnitrix? His hands trembled as his throat tightened. The data displayed was nearly incomprehensible for him, but the source was clearly coming from beyond Earth nothing he could do about that for now.
Chapter 10 – The clowns opening act
The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the concrete. The streets were quiet, with only a few people out. But the peaceful night was shattered by the sound of gunfire echoing through the alleyways.
Get in! The getaway driver fired back at the guards, his aim deadly accurate as they fell to the ground, their bodies crumpling like discarded rag dolls. Three masked robbers, their faces obscured by dark hoods, scrambled into the black car, clutching bags stuffed with cash.
Hurry up! The driver gripped the steering wheel. But one of the robbers, blood seeping from a wound on his arm, hesitated. He approached one of the fallen guards, a cruel smile twisting his lips.
Serves you right! He raised his gun. But before he could pull the trigger, a sudden green electric spark crackled around them, not enough to harm but enough to distract.
What the He started, but the wail of approaching sirens cut him off. Both robbers dove into the car, and the driver slammed his foot on the gas, the vehicle screeching away.
As they sped through the deserted streets, one of the robbers rifled through the money, inexplicably rubbing the bills against his masked face as if savoring the feel of them. And to think they say this kind of crime is outdated.
Oh, its because its the case, my dear, simple-minded friend. The driver leaned back in his seat, Dont you know? Money these days is like a chatty little tattletale! Each bill has its own special story to tell, complete with a unique ID. Use one of these blabbermouths to buy your morning milk, and whoosh! The store deposits it in the bank, and bam! They track it back to you faster than you can go home and say I got milk to your children.
The bill-rubbing robber paused, a frown creasing his brow behind his mask. But what was the point then?
Ha, ha, ha! Questions, questions, questions! You know what they say about curiosity and the cat. The driver waved his finger playfully.
He continued, Were merely players in this grand game, my friend, and were being handsomely rewarded for our roles. So, lets sit back and enjoy the ride, shall we? His tone was light, but there was an undercurrent of menace that discouraged further conversation.
As they sped away, the cars dashboard lights flickered ominously. The vehicle began to slow, the battery indicator showing it was nearly drained.
Are you stupid enough not to have checked this earlier? One of the robbers clenched his fists.
It was nearly full when we started. The drivers lips curled into a smirk. Could it be? It seems that even deprived of my luck, Im still lucky, what a funny paradox. HAHAHA!
Suddenly, a spherical green spark enveloped the car, and all three robbers were electrocuted into unconsciousness. A green bolt of lightning shot out from the vehicle, racing towards an electric line with unmatched speed.
The sirens grew louder, closing in.
Anyone struck by that lightning should have remained unconscious long enough for the police to make arrests however, one of them wasnt normal, the driver, stirred awake.
He sat up, dazed, and muttered to himself, Was it this Ben Tennyson? It seemed strange and green (current universe color) enough to be him. All these crimes no-stop across the country, finally paying off after only a few days. HAHAHA! I really should have asked for his address, to be honest, but to be fair none of us thought of this HA!Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
He gripped his mask, pulling it off to reveal a white visage beneath and green hair. Since his reaction time was fast, I assume he lives nearby. The question is how to contact him without tipping off his cousin. Should I kill her? No, an abracadabra, and poof Im immobilized. My lovely gas? Another abracadabra and poof! Its inefficient.
Little did the madman know, Ben had no permanent residence at the time.
He glanced at the unconscious robbers in the back seats, tapping his chin thoughtfully. Not like good old Batsy, this one. Perhaps I should orchestrate a grand symphony of chaos! Or maybe Ill just wait for the other players in this universe to make some noise then contact him. Decisions, decisions!
He playfully scratched his head.
I have to hurry before they stop me The unfunny future needs to change. For the first time, since he became the Joker, fear filled his mind instead of laughter, but it was only a brief instant.
HA! HA! HA!
Oh, why so serious?! He clapped his hands together like an excited child. I want to play NOW!
His eyes darted to the unconscious robbers, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. He reached into his pocket, fishing out his gas spray with a smiley sticker on it.
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe. He sang over and over, pointing the spray at each of the robbers in turn. Who will be my first volunteer? That will be you!
Uh, what happened? One of the robbers woke up he shouldnt have regained consciousness that quickly after the lightning strike, but the dread emanating from the Joker was too overwhelming for his instinct not to notice and force him awake to flee. Rubbing his head groggily, he added, That is your face?! You look ugly, pal.
...youve won a prize, my friend! The Joker cackled, pointing his spray towards him and unleashing a cloud of green gas.
The robbers confused expression quickly morphed into uncontrollable laughter. One by one, the others succumbed to the same fate, their skin paling, lips reddening, and teeth yellowing as they howled with manic glee.
HA! HA! HA! HA!
He opened the car door and strutted out, then bowed theatrically. The approaching sirens provided the perfect soundtrack for his impromptu performance.
Now this is more like it! The Joker twirled, drinking in the chaos. An Omniverse where anything can happen on a whim! How delightful!
He began to sprint away, his long legs propelling him down the street like a deranged gazelle. Suddenly, he skidded to a halt, pivoted on his heel, and pranced back to the car with exaggerated steps.
Oh, silly me! He cackled, snatching up one of the money bags. Cant forget my ill-gotten gains!
He hugged the bag to his chest, twirling in a mock waltz. Oh, you naughty, traceable bills! Arent you just begging to be spent? It would be absolutely crazy to use you!
With that, he took off again, his laughter bouncing off the buildings like a demented pinball as he zigzagged between parked cars, the stolen money clutched tightly in his arms.
Suddenly, he halted, almost toppling over in his haste.
Oh, I almost forgot! He slapped his forehead theatrically. Whats a show without a grand finale?
The Joker began rummaging through his many pockets, pulling out an assortment of oddities a rubber chicken, a bouquet of fake flowers, a set of chattering teeth before finally producing a small remote control.
Aha! There you are, my little friend. He caressed the device lovingly.
With a dramatic pause, he raised the remote high above his head, his finger hovering over the big red button in its center. And now, ladies and gentlemen, for the grand finale!
He pressed the button but nothing happened. The Jokers face fell comically.
He shook the remote vigorously and began pressing the button repeatedly, each press more frantic than the last.
Just as the first police car arrived, a deafening explosion rocked the street. The getaway car erupted into a fireball, burning alive the three robbers inside, the force of the blast shattering nearby windows and setting off car alarms throughout the neighborhood.
With a final theatrical bow to his audience, the Joker turned on his heel and sprinted into the night, leaving behind a scene of utter chaos and destruction.
Hmm creating a wildcard bearing an Omnitrix on the freedom side would be worth it, especially since its assistant no, AI in the case of great device artifact wielders should have been generous, knowing the kids expiration date was coming up so soon.
However Even if I cant manage to contact him, this entity might act Joker let out a laugh, its madness known only to himself. No, Im sure of it its mindset is no different than any intelligent being, and I can read anyone like an open book! But since my days are numbered, why not make some preparations...?
Chapter 11 – Yet another “normal” Omniversal index entry III
[Question: Does the Omnitrix tap into the soul? (Simple answer)]
Yes.
[Section: The Omnitrix Transformation The 10 parts of the soul 3. Aethon (Basic information)]
Aethon represents the souls emotional aspect. While transformations preserve the users core personality and goals, they influence behavior by altering speech patterns and emotional intensity amplifying or dampening feelings like hate, joy, arrogance and more.
The users true nature remains, but with shifted emotional restraints: some lifted, others added.
[Section: The Omnitrix Transformation The 10 parts of the soul 1. Kyre (Basic information)]
When a user transforms, the only part of their soul fully shifted in all cases is their species instinct, also known as their Kyre.
A basic species instinct encompasses primal, instinctual aspects of behavior, such as the desire for survival, self-preservation, and connection.
However, this instinctual part typically carries only basic information, even for intelligent species. If a user transforms into an intelligent species, they will not automatically acquire knowledge they must learn it beforehand.
This wasnt the case in the prime universe, and its just one of many proofs that the being was influencing this universe for entertainment purposes. After all, who would actually want to see a protagonist reading books or articles?
(Refer to the Prime Universe Inconsistencies section.)
[Section: Joker Symbolism]
The Jokers origin story was never truly relevant. The joke always revolves around one concept: a single, really bad day can transform the sanest person into the most insane. The ease of this transformation raises the question: arent we all inherently insane?
So why pretend otherwise? Why so serious?
Why not just laugh out loud?
[Section: Joker Character Goal]
The Clown Prince of Crime of Gotham City. Batmans archenemy most iterations of him aim to break Batmans no-killing rule to prove he cant control himself and is insane deep down that was what everyone thought, but in reality it was a lie (it was the case at first but not anymore), his greatest joke a joke that would lose its punchline the moment anyone else understood it.
Life in Gotham City is a loop of madness. Its supervillains contribute greatly to that, despite the root cause being something else.
And Batman, the non-powered hero of the city who is also Bruce Wayne, a billionaire, also contributes greatly to that.
It would change things, but it was never only about killing criminals or addressing the root causes of their trauma. It was about making changes in the city things that he rarely does despite his vast resources. By being a vigilante, Batman was a criminal, yet this criminal wanted to be _law-abiding _ a clear contradiction by default.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Like the Penguin, Two-Face and Lex Luthor, Batman could have used his influence and money to manipulate the legal system. Instead of maintaining the cycle, he could have enacted real change even ensuring his enemies faced execution rather than pleading insanity, sparing him from having to kill them himself. He even had the resources to modernize and secure the prisons, yet chose not to.
It wasnt as if Batman avoided illegal activities. He freely diverted Wayne Enterprises funds to build his gadgets and the Watchtower (the Justice Leagues orbital base), while casually hacking government systems and committing countless other major crimes.
So knowing that why no change? Why nothing permanent or systemic with gradual improvements? The truth was simple: Batman was no crusader for justice, just a traumatized billionaire who found comfort beating criminals while wearing a bat mask that was always the thing.
Each time Batman spared the Jokers life, his nemesis would laugh at the beautiful irony this living paradox who claimed righteousness while perpetuating Gothams rot through inaction. The Joker found himself drawn to this perfect madness, bringing chaos to Gotham not just for fun, but because their dynamic completed them both Batmans rigid order complementing his own endless chaos.
Thats the heart of it. Though the Joker has other amusements, nothing amuses him more than Batmans beautiful madness.
[Omniversal index Omniversal wars C Outcome C Time travel]
Regardless of which side wins, this war would be pointless if it were possible to change the final outcome. Since the wars organization, all the rules for time travel across the Omniverse have been standardized into a single set.
It is impossible to change the past due to the Time Pointer marking that will be set the moment a winner is decided. Additionally, time travel in the past became i??????m????p???o????s??????s?????i?????b??????l???????e?????.??????
[???????E?????????R??????????R?????????O?????????R???????]????????
A????? ????l???i????t?????t????l????e????? ?????s????h????i????t???? ????h?????a?????s???????? ???E????r???.???? ?????I????? ????m????e????a?????n????:?????
[Omniversal inconsistency detected!]
[Rewriting]
Update: Time travel is extremely difficult; however, regardless of any changes, the Time Pointer created by the Higher Celestial Beings will redirect all outcomes to the final one.
[Omniversal index Handling the Joker problem]
Despite fate no longer over-favoring him and his lack of superpower, the Joker remains extremely dangerous. It is recommended that the first attempt to neutralize him also be the last.
Suggestions based on efficiency:
1. In order to swiftly eliminate the Joker, send:
1.1 Sakazuki (alias Akainu) (One Piece Multiverse Universe 3)
1.2 Jotaro Kujo (alias Jojo) (Jojos Bizarre Adventure Multiverse Universe 29)
1.3 Eon (Ben 10 Multiverse Universe None)
1.4 Izuku Midoriya (alias Deku) (My Hero Academia Multiverse Universe 2)
1.5 Bruce Wayne (alias Batman Who Laughs) (DC Comics Multiverse Universe -22)
1.6 All of them.
__
2. Bring forward the date for collecting participation slots for this universe and offer multiple slots, along with immunity, to the first participant who kills him.
__
3. Since he cant change anything, leaving him be wont be harmful, regardless of how he interacts with the past.
[Pondering]
The impossible has somehow occurred with the Joker being in the past. He cant be allowed to live longer, so the 3rd suggestion is off the table. The method he used with the help of the Life Equation and the Anti-Life Equation is already unusable, but the problem remains.
If the time travel rules are disabled to use the 1st suggestion, theres a chance someone will take advantage.
[2nd suggestion chosen]
2. Bring forward the date for collecting participation slots for this universe and offer multiple slots, along with immunity, to the first participant who kills him.
A bolt of green lightning shot through the night sky, leaping from one conductive surface to another. The emerald energy darted between parked cars and startled pedestrians smartphones, causing devices to flicker and buzz as it passed. Nearby security cameras pivoted abruptly, their lenses briefly glowing green as the electricity coursed through.
The electric entity finally found its destination: a corner phone booth. As the green bolt entered, the booths metal door swung shut. A brilliant emerald flash erupted from within, and moments later, Ben Tennyson stepped out, looking slightly dazed with disheveled hair from the residual electricity.
Buzzshock might be simultaneously the most useful and the most vulnerable of my alien forms. He smoothed his hair as the last traces of electricity dissipated. Without a container and an energy source, my life could quickly fade away. Yet I feel an uncontrollable urge to spend all my energy no matter what.
The sound of a distant bank alarm had caught his attention earlier, prompting his transformation. While Ben had no intention of becoming a full-time crime fighter, he recognized the need to master his abilities. Stopping crimes would serve as excellent training.
As he walked through the quiet streets, he couldnt help but reflect on the irony of the situation. This latest incident was the first and only crime he had thwarted. If any city was truly plagued by rampant criminal activity, it would become a ghost town by now and of course, he couldnt be everywhere at once, nor hear about everything in time to act.
However, it wasnt that he was stupid but currently he hadnt thought of using Brainstorm to tune into police radio frequencies. If he had, he would have heard that two bank robbers were dead from an explosion and that some kind of clown was seen escaping the scene.
Bens emerald eyes scanned the area, observing the tranquility of the neighborhood.
No crimes, no deserted areas nearby, and the forest is crawling with cops. He thought with a hint of amusement, Good luck finding clues to track down the famous non-existent Fire Circle eco-terrorist group, morons.
As he continued his stroll, Bens mind wandered to other potential training methods. I should focus on the non-destructive aspects of my transformations back in the hotel room.
The hotel where Ben, his cousin Gwen, and his grandfather Max were staying came into view. Looking towards the parking lot, Ben expected to see their damaged RV, the trusty Rust Bucket. Instead, an ice cream truck occupied its usual spot, its white paint gleaming under the lampposts. Ben blinked and rubbed his eyes, but the truck remained.
Curiosity piqued, Ben jogged over to the truck. A window panel declared Closed in bold letters and below it, the opening hours were listed: 24h00 to 28h64. He nodded absently.
I guess Grandpa managed to move the van to repair it out of sight of the police. He mused as he turned towards the hotel. Ill ask him about it later.
He had taken several steps when his brain finally processed what hed seen. Ben froze mid-stride, his eyes widening. Slowly, he pivoted on his heel and stared at the panel again.
24h00 to 28h64?! His mind screamed. What kind of hours are those?!
You noticed? A familiar voice chuckled inside. At least youre paying more attention to your surroundings. Come in.
The trucks door creaked open. As Ben stepped forward, the seemingly empty interior transformed before his eyes. Max sat at a small table near the door, happily munching on a skewer of grilled insects while more skewers waited on his plate. From the front of the vehicle came the sound of two bickering voices and occasional sparks.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.
Bens eyes lit up with excitement, he barely contained his enthusiasm. Was that a hologram? How it works?
Max nodded, wiping his mouth with a napkin. Yes, it was. And for me, higher technology just works. As long as I know what they do and if they are dangerous, I wont bother to know more.
Too cool! Ben smiled, then furrowed his brow. But why is the sign wrong?
His grandfather shrugged with fond exasperation. Ive been asking about that for years. They just say I cant understand their genius. But honestly, they probably couldnt be bothered to check human hours and made the panel in a hurry. The camouflage itself works well enough. He paused, then added with a chuckle, Though dont ask me why they got the trucks appearance right.
Ben navigated towards the front of the vehicle. Near the dashboard, he noticed an open panel to the right of the steering wheel, its cover on the floor. He leaned in for a closer look inside.
I told you, you have to insert this wire here, maggot head! A high-pitched voice emanated from the open panel, followed by the windshield wipers activating at full speed.
Maggots? Where? Im a little hungry. A second voice responded, slightly deeper but no less odd. And dont touch that! It could electrocute you I think.
As if it The first voice began, but was cut off by a loud zap, and a small thud was heard soon after.
Told you. He inserted another wire and the vehicles headlights blazed to life. What are we supposed to do again?
Max palmed his forehead as Ben peered into the hole. I dont know if your Saga has shown them, but in any case, Ben, this is Blukic and Driba. Weve known each other for over 40 years.
Yes, they were present Ben spotted two small gray humanoid beings in the machinery. One was slightly charred, wisps of smoke rising from his body. The other stared at the RVs ceiling, as if pondering the mysteries of the universe.
Er Hello. When are you going to finish?
The standing alien Blukic shifted his vacant stare from the ceiling to Ben.
An Earth hour at most I think? His tone suggested he was as likely to sprout wings as to actually complete the repairs in that timeframe.
Ben exchanged a look with his grandfather, both silently acknowledging the long night ahead. The Rust Buckets interior lights flickered ominously, as if in agreement.
Should I scan them? Ben considered, but dismissed the idea. Brainstorm should be enough, having Grey Matter would be overlapping for no reason theyre both super-intelligent aliens anyway.
Additionally, he wanted to avoid an awkward day where he would need to turn the dial dozens of times just to select the right alien for the job.
He sat down opposite his grandfather and picked up a skewer of grilled insects.
You want to try?! Max widened his eyes. All his children, grandchildren, nephews and grandnephews had always looked at his food choices with disgust, never even trying them.
Ben shrugged. Its only been a few days since the start of the holidays, and Ive already had a lot of unforgettable experiences. Now that I know my life can end at any time by any other participant or the potential outcome of the war if control wins, I dont see why I should deprive myself of experiences. Thats freedom I guess.
He squinted his eyes and took his first bite, then opened them wide.
So? Max asked.
Not my favorite food, but its actually kinda good. I like how its crispy and meaty. Ben took another bite. Sorry about the refusals well, I still think that snails are inedible, so dont try to make me eat those.
Haha! You need to try them, Ben. They are delicious!
As if! Ben shook his skewer at his grandfather in annoyance. By accident, one of the roasted insects flew off, but Blukic, who was standing nearby on the ground, intercepted it with his stretched tongue.
...What are you doing here? Ben blinked.
The alien scratched his head as he munched. I think I got lost.
How? Bens mouth hung open in disbelief.
As Ben stared at Blukic in confusion, Max pondered, will they be able to remove Bens Omnitrix with the tools at Mt. Rushmore?
From the start, Max had never wanted Ben to possess nor use the watch, but he was practical enough to know forbidding a teenager from using something bonded to them would be pointless. Whatever Ben did today, Max couldnt care less his priority was getting the Omnitrix removed as soon as possible from Ben.
Chapter 13 – An Omniversal index entry IV
[Omniversal index Ben 10 Multiverse]
[Section: Galvans Basic information (Abridged)]
Galvans are small, amphibious beings with humanoid-frog features, averaging 15 cm in height. Their agile bodies can function both on land and underwater.
Their distinctive eyes are large and bulbous with horizontally rectangular pupils, protected by two sets of eyelids that close both vertically and horizontally.
The species possesses exceptional intellectual capabilities, with even average Galvans considered geniuses by human standards due to their advanced capacity for learning new concepts.
Notable member Azmuth, creator of the Omnitrix in both this universe and the Prime universe, exemplifies their species potential.
(Measurements provided in human units.)
[Section: Plumbers Basic information (Abridged) (Prime universe)]
The Plumbers exact origins remain unclear, with multiple revisions throughout the Prime sagas history
At their core, they serve as an intergalactic law enforcement organization.
[Section: Max Tennyson Basic information (abridged) (Prime universe)]
Max Tennysons exact origins have undergone multiple revisions throughout the Prime sagas history.
At his core, he is a retired Plumber agent and an enemy of Vilgax.
[Section: Plumbers Basic information (Current universe)]
The universe is vast and complex, teeming with countless beings, each possessing their own perspective and moral code. From birth, every individual has an equal right to live and die. Yet typically, the strong freely end the lives of the weak, and even highly developed, intelligent species can be slaughtered and served as mere food until extinction.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Death is not the only injustice in this universe. A persons life can be overturned in a single night, their freedom stripped away as they become anothers property simply through lacking strength to resist. Possessions can be stolen with impunity, and countless unimaginable crimes occur unchecked.
These injustices led to the Plumbers creation an organization dedicated to maintaining order and protecting all beings rights. However, over time, their goals began to shift, slowly tweaked and altered for some reason.
(See Plumbers Advanced Information section for more information)
Nearly five years ago, after several centuries of operation, the Plumbers were abruptly disbanded, leaving the universe as disconnected territories, each applying their own version of justice.
(Measurements provided in human units.)
[Section: Max Tennyson Basic information (Current universe)]
At seventeen, Max Tennyson had no idea his life would soon be filled with the impossible and extraordinary. It was then he first met Verdona, a being so incredible that even his wildest dreams couldnt have conjured her. She would later become the mother of his two children, but her presence was fleeting, appearing and disappearing on a whim. Now in his 60s, more than 30 years since their last encounter, Max wonders if Verdona ever truly loved him or if he was merely a passing fancy.
Years after meeting Verdona, Max served as a soldier and pilot. During this time, he made the fateful decision to spare two alien beings, despite Earths strict policy of exterminating extraterrestrial life on sight. These aliens were Blukic and Driba, two Galvans who would later play a significant role in his life.
Whether by luck or misfortune, Max became increasingly entangled with the surreal. Driven by his strong sense of justice, he accepted an invitation to join the Plumbers as one of its first human members. He left his sons behind with a cover story: he was a literal plumber who, for some reason, needed to travel overseas for work.
(Measurements provided in human units.)
[Section: Max Tennyson Member of the Plumbers (Current universe)]
Over time, Maxs reputation grew, becoming known throughout the galaxies. His crowning achievement was single-handedly halting the Vilgaxia Empires expansion. However, the details of this monumental feat remain shrouded in mystery, with information about the event still being meticulously tracked and erased, even two decades later.
Since then, no Vilgaxian has been publicly seen in the universe, except for Vilgax himself and Myaax, Azmuths assistant. The planet Vilgaxia remains strictly off-limits, with unauthorized entry met by immediate and lethal force.
(Measurements provided in human units.)
[Exit]
Chapter 14 – Beneath the faces (1-2)
The next day (Several hours later)
The Rust Bucket, its engine purring with renewed vigor after the recent repairs, rolled to a stop at the foot of Mount Rushmore. The iconic presidential faces loomed above, their stony gazes keeping watch over the landscape.
Inside the RV, Ben and Gwen slowly stood up from their seats, stretching their limbs after the brisk journey. They peered out the windows, taking in the familiar sight of the national monument.
Somewhere within the vehicles nooks and crannies, the Galvan duo of Blukic and Driba could be heard bickering, their voices a constant backdrop.
Max, seated at the wheel, smiled at his grandchildrens curiosity. The monument held a secret few were privy to.
Ben turned to his grandfather, Ive seen this in the show, but howd you guys pull off building a secret base inside a national monument?
To be honest, Ben, it all started with a drunken bet. But then, years later, one of our Earth members turned rogue and got every base on the planet raided except this one. Since it was our last hideout standing, we just kept expanding it deeper and deeper. Before we knew it, we had ourselves a proper base right under old Abes nose. Funny how things turn out, eh?
Ben and Gwen exchanged incredulous glances, their eyes wide with disbelief.
Uh Did the government actually authorize this? Ben raised his eyebrows.
Max snorted. We didnt even inform them. Thats the whole point of a secret base.
The cousins mouths hung open in shock. While they couldnt really bring themselves to care about long-dead historical figures, they were acutely aware of how many people viewed national monuments as sacred ground.
Grandpa, thats Gwens words failed her.
Anyway, its hidden in plain sight where no one would ever think to look, so in the end, it wasnt a bad idea. Max reached for a panel near the steering wheel, filled with an array of seemingly normal radio buttons. With practiced ease, Max pressed a specific sequence, then left his thumb pressed against a volume button for five seconds.
Suddenly, the floor beneath them began to descend.
The unexpected motion caught them off guard. Ben tumbled to the floor with a yelp, while Gwen barely managed to grab onto a nearby seat, narrowly avoiding the same fate.
A little warning next time, Grandpa. Gwens fingers tightened with annoyance on the seat she grabbed.
Are we going down, or is the world going up and we think were going down? Blukics voice piped up unexpectedly from somewhere in the RV. So what happens if I walk with my hands?
From his new position on the floor, Ben noticed the Galvan underneath the table, attempting to walk on his hands before promptly falling over.
Ben shook his head, fighting back a smile. Blukic, what are you doing?
Experimenting! Blukic replied cheerfully, picking himself up. If the world is going up, then walking on my hands should be easier, right?
Arent you and Driba supposed to be geniuses? The question wasnt sarcastic after all, they fixed the Rust Bucket in fifteen (somehow long) minutes instead of the promised hour.
Bens question clearly struck a chord with Blukic. The Galvans carefree, goofy demeanor faltered for a moment, and he let out a small sigh before answering.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
You know after centuries of filling my brain with knowledge, I know almost all the right answers, or at least how to find them practically. But its boring. Incredibly boring. Blukics voice carried a hint of irritation. So I let my creative side take control the knowledge is still there, but the journey becomes interesting. Since Galvans dont approve of that, they marked me as defective and accidentally left both Driba and me behind years ago on this planet they didnt even bother to take us back five years ago
Ben blinked, taken aback by this unexpected revelation, especially since their Prime counterparts were mostly comic relief with no backstory beyond being screw-ups while somehow remaining geniuses. What about Driba?
No, hes just defective by Galvan standards, but I dont care, he is my friend. Blukic lowered his voice.
Well, I dont have the context, but anyway, welcome to Earth (a little late). Ben smiled as he extended his left fist.
The Galvans eyes lingered on the Omnitrix adorning Bens wrist. I wonder why Max asked us not to mention anything to his grandchildren.
Hesitantly, Blukic made a fist with one of his small hands and bumped it against Bens fist. Thanks.
The entire Rust Bucket descended via a concealed elevator. The floor above immediately sealed their entrance. As they descended, the darkness gave way to a soft blue glow emanating from the walls.
Welcome to the old main Plumber base of Earth. Max announced as the lift halted in a vast, empty parking area with only a single parked car around. Corridors stretched endlessly in all directions.
Max chose a path, and everyone followed.
As they ventured deeper, the cousins excitement faded. Most cutting-edge gadgets were locked away, and the force fields securing other devices had lost their novelty, appearing more like photo filters than anything fascinating.
Around a corner, they met Phil, Maxs former colleague. The man in his sixties leaned against the wall in a full grey plumbers uniform, leaving only his head exposed. He had his arms crossed and one boot sole pressed against the wall in what Ben perceived as an attempt to look cool. Though his hair had greyed like Maxs, it retained a darker shade.
Hey, Buddy! How have you been after all this time?! Phil greeted warmly.
Great, its still good to know that all these years we spent meant something. They shook hands. Till now Max thought.
Phil tilted his head, noticing the teenagers. Who are they? The kid slightly resembles you your grandchildren? What
Questions flooded his mind. Why would the paranoid Max suddenly reveal his secret past to his grandchildren when his own children now in their forties still fucking believed he wasnt present because he needed to fix overseas luxury toilets?! And why bring them to this old base? Even disbanded, this wasnt exactly a tourist attraction!
Ill explain later. Max waved his hand dismissively. But since you mentioned tourism, you can give them a tour Unless youd rather explain why youre here in that uniform?
Er no. Phil scratched his head. Youre supposed to be the wise one between us
...I never even mentioned tourism! He sighed, then turned to the teenagers with a smile. Anyway, want to see some cool things?
Ben tensed instinctively, memories of the Prime universes villainous Phil flashing through his mind. He pulled out his phone, checking recent news for strange creatures appearing from nowhere with a hero swooping in to save the day.
Finding nothing suspicious, he relaxed slightly.
This isnt the Prime universe. Ben reminded himself. No reason to be hostile unless he goes for that device*
In his cautious observation of Phil, Ben failed to notice Gwen mirroring his actions, her own suspicions carefully hidden.
What he and Gwen forgot to think about was that instead of glory, Phil only liked the adrenaline and money so would he be stupid enough not to cover up the news while targeting places where the owners themselves would rather hide that a fucking monster was present? Like for example, restaurants and hotels?
As for whether he used that device maybe? Nothing was certain between universes.
Phil observed them. Strange I thought Max barely raised his children, let alone his grandchildren. Why are they so suspicious of me, a total stranger? Yet here they are, acting just as paranoid as their grandfather.
Yeah, why not? Ben pocketed his phone.
Hm?
The tour you mentioned. Ben chuckled.
Oh, right. Phil rolled his eyes.
Max continued with the Galvans while Gwen and Ben followed Phil.
Days passed. Leaving another room of locked items and archives, Ben found himself in yet another corridor. Why are we even here? He yawned. At least my training with my transformations is going well Breaks over. Back to the training room Maybe Phil can help again
A sharp pain exploded in the back of his neck. His vision blurred as his body grew heavier. Before darkness took him, he caught a glimpse of his attackers face, its expression unreadable.
Chapter 15 – Beneath the faces (2-2)
Gwens footsteps echoed through the empty corridors of the Plumber base, eyelids heavy with boredom. Rounding a corner toward the Rust Bucket, she froze.
What are you doing, Grandpa Max?!
Max stood there, Bens unconscious form draped over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. His grim expression replaced his usual demeanor.
The whole thing about the Omniversal war and the Omnitrix is madness. His voice dropped low. Did you actually think I was going to let him no, both of you be involved in that?
Gwens mind raced, trying to process the situation. What do you mean?
Maxs eyes narrowed as he studied his granddaughter. Ive seen you use your energy, Gwen. It reminds me of Verdona, your grandmother. Youre also a participant, arent you? You wouldnt have awakened her bloodline now if that wasnt the case.
Gwen remained silent, her lack of denial as good as an admission. A moment passed. What are you going to do?
Max began walking forward with Gwen following close behind. Despite the situation, she wasnt overly worried about Ben, trusting that their grandfather wouldnt truly harm him.
The universe is vast, Gwen. Max began, his voice taking on a lecturing tone. Its filled with countless species aliens, if you prefer. Even humans are aliens in the grand scheme of things. He paused, letting his words sink in. Most aliens out there share similarities with humans, including a lack of what wed call superpowers. You follow?
I think so. Gwen replied hesitantly.
Then tell me. Max continued, his voice growing more intense, Why does each and every one of Bens alien forms have superpowers?
The question caught Gwen off guard. She stumbled slightly, mind racing for an answer. She knew Ben hadnt figured out his tenth aliens abilities yet, but lets be honest it would have powers, just like the rest. Because of the Omniversal war, right? Ben said the AI reset his aliens so he doesnt copy his Prime counterpart actions
As the words left her mouth, Gwens eyes widened with realization. The 10 original aliens of Ben Prime all had superpowers too.
Max nodded grimly. Whether its Azmuth and whoever is organizing this Omniversal war, theyve prepared a weapon to be used. I wont let that weapon stay near Ben. Its a death trap, especially with the other participants involved.
Ill ask one more time, Grandpa. What exactly are you planning to do? Gwens brow furrowed, her mind racing to decipher her grandfathers intentions.
Im going to participate in this war myself and put an end to this madness. By becoming the Omnitrix wielder.
Gwens hand started to rise in objection, but she paused. Her fingers moved to her chin as she reconsidered. On second thought, it wasnt such a bad idea.
Ben had become incredibly proficient with the Omnitrix in less than a week. He even surpassed his prime counterpart though that wasnt a difficult feat by itself. Yet, her grandfathers decades of experience dealing with aliens could be a game-changer. Max as the Omnitrix wielder could potentially outperform Ben. The more Gwen considered it, the more sense it made.
A small part of her acknowledged that Ben would be devastated to lose the Omnitrix. But as long as he wasnt physically harmed, she found it hard to care deeply. They were essentially strangers who happened to share blood. Not friends.
And Gwen, stop your magic practice. You can opt out of this entirely. Freedom? Control? Both options are too vague to die for, based on what Ben told me. I wont let either of you die for this! Unless Ben misunderstood the AIs explanation?
No. We know if freedom wins, its total freedom. But the Control explanation I got was less biased and more complete.
Maxs steps slowed. Complete how?
If Control wins, surviving Control participants in their own Multiverse will experience two main effects. First, their luck will be maximized. Second, their will shall gradually reshape reality.
However, theres a catch. Conflicting wills cannot coexist. The assistant implied that to avoid contradictions in how reality is reshaped, I should remove other Control participants whose goals oppose mine after Controls victory.
In essence, if I choose Control and we win, I was indirectly advised to kill off rival Control participants whose interests clash with my own. This ensures there wont be any contradictions in how reality is altered.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
This is utter madness Maxs eyes widened. So, you chose Control?
No. Ive chosen neither for now. Gwen kept her voice flat. But the prospect of nothing bad happening to us isnt terrible.
That would require you to kill. Max strode forward, adjusting Bens weight. I wont let you participate in this madness.
Back when the Plumbers were active, hed killed countless times, even telling his juniors it wasnt a big deal their first time even his seniors, killers themselves, called him trigger happy but would he actually be happy if his grandchildren became murderers?!
His mind raced, wondering why the explanations given to Ben and Gwen differed.
Gwen followed, ignoring her grandfathers words. Her mind raced with questions, but one in particular stood out.
Now that I dont have to pretend anymore, I wonder about something. She mused aloud.
Max turned slightly. Whats that?
You didnt watch the saga, so you wouldnt know, but it showed the Omnitrix was originally meant for Max Prime. Ben Prime could use it due to his related DNA. Gwen explained. Our universe differs from Prime, but I wondered if that applies here, why would Azmuth give you a weapon, as you claim?
Max froze mid-step. Gwen couldnt see his face, but she felt an overwhelming sense of dread emanating from him. He hurried forward.
Oh I-I see. Its strange indeed. His voice was uncharacteristically shaky.
Grandpa? Do you know Azmuth? Gwen pressed. The saga had never been consistent about whether Max and Azmuth knew each other beforehand. Additionally, this wasnt their universe, so she hadnt expected a reaction.
Max remained silent. He entered a room with two seats and various machines. Blukic and Driba waited inside. Gwen followed.
The room was larger than most, with stark white walls and bright fluorescent lighting giving it a clinical feel. In the center stood two high-tech chairs, each equipped with specialized machinery one with an arm-covering device, the other with a head-fitting contraption. Monitors, control panels, and blinking lights adorned the walls, completing the futuristic atmosphere.
Come in. Ill explain everything. Max stood near the entrance after placing Ben on a chair with the machine meant to cover his arm. He gestured for Gwen to enter.
This room looks more impressive than the others. Gwen surveyed the area as she stepped inside. This is where Ben 10 becomes Ben 0. She attempted to lighten the mood, yet the Galvans in front of her and Max behind her were clearly not amused.
Her gaze fell on the second chair, which had the head-fitting machine. But why two seats
A sudden pain shot through her neck before she could finish speaking. Her vision began to blur.
Max exhaled heavily. Both of you need to improve your vigilance Gwen, did you really think I only planned to remove Bens Omnitrix?
As Maxs words echoed in her ears, Gwens world tilted and faded to black. She collapsed, unconscious, but Max caught her before she hit the ground.
He lifted her, then placed her on the second seat.
I didnt think this summer vacation with my grandchildren would be perfect, but I had hoped it would go well I never expected this! His heart began to beat uncontrollably, sending sharp pains through his chest. He clutched his red shirt, a contorted expression on his face.
Everything Ive done it was all for my family my deceased parents, my sister, my brother, my sons, my nephews and now my grandchildren and my grandnephews I had to keep them safe. All these years as a Plumber, even with that bitter end, I dont regret them. Earth is now a universal off-limit zone so what if the planet doesnt evolve? Screw it!
Max! Driba, Blukic, and Phil, who had been hidden in the corridor, rushed to his side. Max raised a hand to stop them. After several deep breaths, the pain gradually subsided.
Its alright. He reassured them, slowly lowering his arm, his eyes focused. And Vilgax, somehow still alive, needs to die again. He can freely ignore Galvan laws consequences. To spite me especially and the other remaining human plumbers, he will destroy Earth during or after this so-called Omniversal war.
Max almost laughed at his own thought of destroy. He knew better complete destruction would be merciful compared to Vilgaxs usual atrocities. Conquering, enslaving, forced cannibalism, genocide these words were strong, but the reality behind them would make any space warlord (except Vilgax himself) fear he might appear under their bed at night.
It wasnt for nothing that Vilgaxs main spaceship, the Chimeran Hammer, operated entirely with android crews Vilgax and Psyphon were the only living beings aboard!
And I need the greatest weapon ever created You planned this, didnt you? Azmuth?!
Whatever schemes Azmuth had crafted for him, Max would tear them apart. The same went for this Omniversal war and its so-called higher beings none of them would use his grandchildren as pawns.
His determined expression caught Phils attention. After assuring himself that Max was doing well, Phil quietly left the room, Maxs earlier words echoing in his mind. This family is really strange. I get the gist, but still Anyway, if theres a war coming, then Im your man, Max! I have no fucking intention of dying and decaying like an old man!
Fired up, he took the opportunity to enter the room containing all the bases most dangerous but easily containable items. He was definitely going to take that device, the Null Void Projector a device opening a portal toward the Dimension: Null, more commonly called the Null Void.
For Phil, it was an insta-win button. Too annoying adversary? A shot with the projector and gone! Money problems or just bored? Hed use it to release aliens just to recapture them.
As Phil walked toward the room containing the projector, Max stood in another chamber looking at his unconscious grandchildren. One had a device on her head, the other had a device covering the arm holding the Omnitrix.
After a long pause, Max turned to Blukic and Driba. Start with Ben.
With both Gwen and Ben unconscious, neither could inform Max about nor take note of the Omniversal war update.
Notice to all participants
Chapter 16 – Notice to all participants
Notice to all participants
Note: Your assistant may have provided information that conflicts with what follows. Such discrepancies are to be expected.
You can gain the following slots through these missions:
Missions
1. One slot for wielding the Omnitrix. (Completed)
Location: Main Dimension - Earth
This slot will transfer to anyone who obtains the Omnitrix.
One extra slot will be available for anyone who:
- Builds an Omnitrix and a -trix variant.
- Wields an Omnitrix and a -trix variant.
Note: The death of a host may or may not destroy his -trix.
2. One slot for wielding the great Ascalon sword. (Completed)
Location: Main Dimension - Earth
This slot will transfer to anyone who obtains Ascalon.
3. One slot to possess the Dwarf Star
Location: Main Dimension - Space
This slot will transfer to anyone who obtains it
4. Two slots for possessing and reactivating the Meta-Nanite.
Location: Dimension 1 - Earth
Note: Due to a correction, the nanite can no longer fully use the universal God code (so its no longer a celestial threat level), but is still useful.
These slots will transfer to anyone who obtains the reactivated meta-nanite.
5. One to seven slots for stopping the Highbreeds plan of total universe genocide.
Location: Main Dimension - Throughout the universe
If someone who completes the mission dies, the slots wont be transferred to their killer, (nor will any slot be transferred to someone else)
6. One to two slots for conquering the Billions Tower.
Location: Main Dimension - Billions Tower
Note: The number of reward slots can greatly increase over time, but so can the difficulty.
If someone who completes the mission dies, the slots wont be transferred to their killer, (nor will any slot be transferred to someone else)
7. Two to four slots for containing or destroying Alpha, the nanite being.
Location: Dimension 0 - Null Void
Note: Its location may change over time.
Note: The number of reward slots can greatly increase over time, but so can the difficulty.
Note: If someone who completes the mission dies, the slots wont be transferred to their killer, (nor will any slot be transferred to someone else)
8. Five to Seven slots for conquering Legerdomain.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.Location: Dimension LD - Legerdomain
These slots will transfer to anyone who possesses Legerdomain.
9. One slot per each Charms of Bezel stone. Ten slots for all six of them. (Five completed)
Location: Main Dimension - Earth
These slots will transfer to anyone who obtains one or all the stones.
10. Four to ten slots for permanently stopping Dagon.
Location: Dimension 666 - Dagons World
Note: Its location may change.
Note: The number of reward slots can greatly increase over time, but so can the difficulty.
If someone who completes the mission dies, the slots wont be transferred to their killer, (nor will any slot be transferred to someone else)
11. Ten to twenty slots to explore the Forge of Creation
Location: Dimension (Connected to each universe of Ben 10 Multiverse)
Note: The place is currently devoid of Celestials, but not of danger.
Note: Some corrections were made to avoid certain time manipulation.
If someone who completes the mission dies, the slots wont be transferred to their killer, (nor will any slot be transferred to someone else)
12. Seven to eight slots to solve the war that is brewing between Earth and the dragon world.
Location: Main Dimension - Earth and Dragon World
Note: The number of reward slots can greatly increase over time, but so can the difficulty.
If someone who completes the mission dies, the slots wont be transferred to their killer, (nor will any slot be transferred to someone else)
13. Ten slots for killing the Clown, Joker.
Location: Main Dimension - Earth
Slots will not be transferred, and whoever possesses these slots will enjoy total immunity.
14. Any other major achievements will be rewarded with a slot, even for non-participants.
Important: For all slots that grant immunity, this immunity applies to everyone who possesses the related slot(s). By immunity, we mean:
- Invulnerable until the multiversal war
- After the war, the immunity is no longer valuable
Note: It is expected that you dont try to fight with the immunity in mind. If its decided that you took advantage of this immunity, it might be stripped from you.
Important Notes
Mechanics
- Click on the missions for more details and current live locations.
- There is nothing to stop you from working together to complete missions. Slots will be given based on contribution, but you will have at least the minimum number of slots as long as you fulfill the participation requirement.
War Participation
- Many events happen, whether or not you are the one making them. Survive and take part in the war.
- Despite needing only one slot to take part in the war, dont forget about your universe.
- Through slots, non-participants can become participants, introducing them to the Multiversal War and allowing you to secure new allies.
Multiversal Conflict
- The multiversal war will be about crushing other universes of your multiverse.
- If your universe loses, you wont decide the future in the Omniversal war.
Omniversal War
- The Omniversal war will ultimately be freedom versus control.
Additional Information
- Further details will follow.
End of notice
Chapter 17 – Immortal devotion
Chimeran Hammer (Name of Vilgax spaceship orbiting around Earth)
The notice was informative but I need to take into account new information I know nothing about
A green, octopus-like visage reflected in Ascalons gleaming surface. The legendary sword, crafted by Azmuth long before the Omnitrix, captured Vilgaxs gaze. He studied the silver weapon with barely contained irritation yet still with fascination.
Ascalon fascinating piece of work. Yet its true power eludes my grasp. His voice carried the casual indifference of one discussing the weather as he leveled the blade at his captive.
Vilgaxs imposing form dominated the chamber. Standing 2.3 meters tall, his body merged advanced cybernetics with alien biology, new enhancements replacing his old parts. More striking was the otherworldly energy emanating from him his skin now a sickly translucent green, pulsing with waves of boundless power drawn from Dimension 666, Dagons domain.
So, let me reiterate, Sir George. If you wish to keep your head, enlighten me on how to wield this sword properly.
Before him floated Sir George, the venerable founder of the Forever Knights. Though stripped of limbs and dignity, reduced to an old man with white beard and bald head, his eyes burned with centuries of unyielding resolve. His gaze met Vilgaxs, carrying an unspoken promise of retribution. The chambers devices held him suspended in an energy field, yet his silence remained unbroken since capture.
Vilgaxs quest for power led him to make a pact with Dagon. He became the eldritch beings herald, though he had no intention of honoring the agreement. The galactic warlord grasped Ascalon, the sword that sealed Dagons heart. Its raw power coursed through him.
In that moment, Vilgax now understood why Dagons Esoterica slaves never attempted to remove it. A normal human would have perished instantly from its touch. Yet, despite his strength, Vilgax couldnt master the swords secrets.
After, he waited inside the temple, certain Sir George would soon arrive to reclaim his rightful weapon. That is, if he was indeed a participant in this cosmic game.
Indeed, he was.
Now after his long creative interrogation, the old man remained silent. Given enough time, he was certain he would get the esteemed knight to talk.
I acted hastily With Dagons heart unsealed, his invasion is imminent but this is merely a challenge to overcome. The warlord pondered. My Prime versions method is an option, but I cant rely on it. Ill consider it, along with other strategies. Now is the time to step back, observe, and refine my approach. Victory demands nothing less than perfection!
Suddenly, all his worries vanished as he formulated a plan and several backups. He began to laugh, surprising Psyphon and raising Sir Georges eyebrow. In truth, George eyed his beloved sword from the corner of his view.
Thats it, foul creature. Draw my Ascalon ever nearer. My bond with it shall soon be rekindled. Sir Georges countenance remained impassive. Your doom approaches, Vilgax!
Georges anger stemmed not only from his current state but also from Vilgaxs actions. The knight had planned to remove the sword, but only after leaving seals at Dagons heart. These would need weekly replenishment not ideal, but a suitable compromise. Yet the accursed alien Vilgax had unleashed the eldritch Dagons energy source!
But how shall I vanquish the Dagon menace? This creature underestimated me once. It shant make the same error.
Sir Georges thoughts wandered. A grand conflict between Earth and the world of dragons? Maybe
He suppressed his anger, maintaining a stoic facade. Having watched all Ben 10 episodes featuring the Forever Knights, he realized a disturbing possibility. The organization he founded centuries ago might have foolishly instigated this war. They had, for some incomprehensible reason, deemed dragons the ultimate evil. Could it be due to the similarity between the words Dagon and Dragon? Surely not. Such a level of idiocy seemed unfathomable.
Regardless, once George regained control of Ascalon, blood would spill to quell his anger. For the first time since his capture, a flicker of rage crossed his stoic features, a change that didnt escape Vilgaxs notice.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Vilgax leveled the sword at him again. You know, you just need to tell me how to control this sword.
Sir Georges face twisted with contempt, his chivalrous mask crumbling away. Do your worst, you pathetic excuse for a conqueror. Youre nothing but a cowardly, tentacled freak too scared to face a mere teenager. Is that why youre hiding up here like a sniveling worm? Afraid Ben 10 might hand you your ass in real life? Go on, prove youre more than just an incompetent imbecile masquerading as a mastermind.
Vilgax beards tentacles writhed with fury. Then die by your own sword!
In less than a second, Ascalons blade made contact with Sir Georges neck, its first touch in hundreds of years. A blinding white light exploded through the room, momentarily obscuring all sight.
As the radiance faded, Vilgax clutched at his throat, feeling a searing pain. The wound, though deep, sealed itself instantly, leaving no trace of blood. He whirled around to face a transformed Sir George now a young, silver armor-clad warrior with flowing blond hair and a neatly trimmed beard.
So, you were actually foolish enough to make a pact with Dagon nevermind. Sir George raised Ascalon, the blade blazing with white energy.
Stop! Were orbiting Earth! If you damage this spaceship, well crash, possibly killing hundreds of thousands! Maybe millions! Psyphon yelled. Vilgax shot his servant a glare he spoke without authorization but remained silent, focusing on Sir George.
Sir George stood motionless, centuries of dedication to protecting humanity weighing on his conscience. Vilgax cant be eliminated here without risking countless innocent lives
Sir George raised Ascalon, its blade glowing with ethereal light. With a swift, precise motion, he sliced through the air itself. The space before him split open, revealing a brilliant white void. Without hesitation, Sir George stepped through this tear in reality, the edges of the portal sealing shut behind him, leaving no trace of his passage.
I cant wield Ascalon for now, but I can manipulate Sir George and the other participants. Vilgaxs plan to return the sword now in motion.
Of course, if it didnt work, he wouldnt mind having cut the knights head off. Sir Georges taunt may have actually angered him.
He turned to Psyphon, his voice laden with ominous intent. Dont be alarmed by whats about to unfold. Ill be indisposed for a time. In my absence, you must
Vilgax rapidly outlined his instructions, leaving Psyphon nodding in bewildered compliance, pondering the cryptic nature of his masters impending indisposition.
The answer manifested with startling swiftness. A blinding portal erupted beneath Vilgaxs feet, plunging him into a dizzying free fall over a vast, sun-scorched desert.
High above, Sir Georges voice thundered. DID YOU ACTUALLY THINK I WOULD LET YOU ESCAPE JUDGMENT?! The knight maintained a stable position in his descent, Ascalon aimed directly at the falling warlord.
Oblivions Embrace!
Ascalon unleashed a blinding beam of pure energy, an unstoppable torrent of cosmic power engulfing Vilgax. The cosmic force ripped through the alien conqueror, tearing him apart atom by atom.
Unimpeded, the devastating beam surged onwards, slamming into the desert floor with apocalyptic might. The impact triggered colossal sandstorms, their fury exploding outward in all directions. As the tempest raged, it sculpted the landscape anew, stripping away layers of sand to expose the bedrock beneath.
When the chaos subsided, a transformed landscape stretched to the horizon, the deserts bare bedrock now exposed under the scorching sun.
Plummeting through the air, Sir George gazed down at the transformed landscape below.
Vilgax is no more. It was an irrefutable fact, witnessed by his own eyes. With a gesture, he opened another portal in mid-air and vanished, leaving behind a changed landscape.
Psyphon breathed with difficulty. The meaning behind Vilgaxs cryptic indisposition now crystallized in his mind with chilling clarity.
He turned his gaze to the screen on his gauntlet. With several taps, he accessed a high-definition video feed. The sight that greeted him was one he hadnt seen in two decades one hed hoped never to see again. A shiver ran down his spine.
Psyphon left the prison room, his steps echoing through the metallic corridors. As he walked, he passed numerous androids and drones, all programmed to move aside for him and his master. The ships automated occupants silently cleared a path, allowing him to pass unhindered.
He entered a chamber pulsing with otherworldly energy. Suspended in a massive tank were countless cells. They danced in a macabre ballet of creation. Each one shimmered with an eerie, translucent glow. It was a testament to the unholy pact that bound them to the eldritch entity known as Dagon.
Psyphons eyes narrowed. Another chill ran down his spine. So He mused, his voice barely above a whisper. Even death cannot sever the link to that cosmic abomination.
Yet, beneath the dread that threatened to consume him, a spark of hope flickered. Time and again, Vilgax had faced annihilation. Each time, he rose from the ashes, more terrible than before. This time, Psyphon knew, would be no different.
In the oppressive silence of the chamber, Psyphon sank to his knees. His voice, though soft, carried the weight of unshakable devotion. Great Vilgax Tears flowed freely from his eyes. May your rebirth herald a new era of conquest and terror across the cosmos.
The cells in the tank pulsed in response, their ethereal glow intensifying. Was it a coincidence? Psyphon chose to believe otherwise. In this room in the universe his master Vilgax was his only light.
He stood up. I will follow your instructions May your greatness watch over me!
Chapter 18 – An Omniversal index entry V
[Omniversal index Ben 10 Multiverse]
[Section: Ascalon Basic information (Abridged) Prime and current universe]
Ascalon is a reality-altering sword created by Azmuth. Its power adapts to the user, limited only by their imagination up to a universal scale. Despite tapping into universal forces, its power isnt universal.
The Incurseans allegedly stole the sword, resulting in their planets destruction after they used the sword in a war.
Centuries later, Azmuth discovered Earth and an immortal human named Sir George. Azmuth gave him the sword to combat Dagon, who had invaded Earth from his dimension.
[Section: Sir George Basic information (Abridged) Prime and current universe]
Sir George was unsure of his exact age or the source of his immortality. Before Dagons invasion, he drifted through eras. He couldnt die of old age, but he felt that he wasnt immune to being killed. Yet, he never considered suicide. His immortality wasnt a gift, but calling it a curse would be an exaggeration. Over time, his mind filled with new experiences and knowledge, along with the pain of losing loved ones. He felt his existence had to have meaning.
Dagons invasion during medieval times gave George a new purpose. It united humanity against a common foe. Even without Ascalon, George slew hundreds of Dagons Lucubra. He was ready to die protecting humanity, seeing no greater purpose.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.
The battle turned dire when the Lucubra mind-controlled the captured knights. Still, George fought on, cutting through every obstacle.
After yet another grueling battle with no hope in sight, only despair remaining, George met Azmuth. The alien offered him Ascalon to fight Dagon. Though skeptical of an unknown creature maybe some devil, George accepted, seeing no other option.
With the sword in hand, Sir George founded the Forever Knights, a group dedicated to safeguarding humanity. He engaged in a fierce battle with Dagon and emerged victorious, banishing the being back to its dimension and sealing its heart with Ascalon to prevent future invasions.
Without Ascalon and mysteriously aged (see Ascalon Advanced information for details), though still immortal, Sir George vanished into obscurity. Although he continued his solitary existence, he remained vigilant, ready to reclaim Ascalon whenever humanity needed his protection again.
However, he was sure that the organization he left behind wouldnt disappoint him.
Note: Most of the Forever Knights in the multiverse (where he had existed and was the founder) will disappoint him.
[Section: Dagon Basic information (Abridged) Prime and current universe]
Dagon is an interdimensional invasive being with an insatiable desire for domination. Its appearance is reminiscent of a colossal octopus, evoking both awe and terror.
While Dagons primary focus lies in mental manipulation, it possesses a formidable array of offensive capabilities. This makes it a versatile and dangerous adversary.
Composed of energy, Dagons ethereal nature allows it to transcend physical limitations, further enhancing its threat level.
This cosmic horror has invaded and subjugated countless dimensions, leaving them under its oppressive influence.
[Section: Omniverse, multiverse, universes, dimension explained (Abridged)]
The Omniverse encompasses all of reality, containing every multiverse within it. Each multiverse consists of multiple universes bound by shared fundamental laws. A universe, in turn, contains various dimensions that are accessible within its boundaries.
[Exit]
Chapter 19 – Gathering at Mt. Rushmore
In front of the Mount Rushmore, ten individuals gathered. The colossal stone faces of past presidents loomed above them, silent witnesses to the unusual assembly.
A young woman with dark red hair, styled in a punk fashion, broke the silence. Her hands gripped an M4 Carbine, a versatile assault rifle boasting a 30-round magazine and quick reload capability. Though not alien or supernatural in origin, the weapon exuded lethal potential.
So, Ben Tennyson or whoever possesses the watch actually resides inside. A screen appeared in her field of vision, displaying the positions of all special items granting participation slots. The notice had just been released. You didnt lie, old man. But how exactly did you find him to begin with?
Perched atop a three-meter giant mutant frog sat an elderly man. Filthy clothes hung loosely on his thin frame, and long, unclean nails adorned his gnarled fingers. His voice carried a hint of amusement.
To begin with, I dont make a habit of lying. And secondly
He gathered his thoughts before continuing. The Omnitrix originated from outer space. This led me to wonder about potential news regarding unidentified objects entering our atmosphere. Naturally, no official report would surface, but a curious incident involving a burned forest caught my attention.
The old mans eyes gleamed with excitement as he elaborated. My creatures stumbled upon a spherical metallic pod. According to what they overheard from scientists at the site, they couldnt determine its origin nor functions. The pods contents remained a mystery, as it had already been opened upon discovery.
Creature? Like your frog? They seem a little too big for discretion.
First, animals dont need to be mutated for me to control them, and secondly The elderly individual, Dr. Aloysius Animo or simply Animo retrieved a slimy egg from a container in his pocket as he jumped off his frog.
The egg hatched in his hand, revealing a small dog with insect characteristics.
An unusual contraption crowned Animos head: a helmet-like cask with two protruding antennae. This device lent him an air of a mad scientist. Many who knew him would actually describe him as such. Under the influence of waves emanating from his antenna helmet, the animal slowly matured while retaining its small size.
Too cute. The teenage girl with long white hair purple at the ends and styled in a ponytail scratched the creatures belly with her slender finger as it rolled back on Animos hand. You are so fluffy. Lets call you Fluff. Her purple dress with large sleeves swayed as she leaned closer, her pink eyes studying the small creature intensely.
Charmcaster warned an old man with mostly white skin. Named Hex, he wore a red and black hooded dress that shadowed his head. He stood near the teenage girl, his niece.
Animo continued, Thanks to my Canis olfactinsecta minimus, with the developed sense of smell of a dog and an insect, sniffing out the trail of anyone who was in the vicinity, even after a forest fire, is childs play Anyway, its useless now.
The doctor cackled as he increased the wave frequency of his helmet, his eyes glittering with cruel delight. The small artificial creature trembled and shook violently, its legs collapsing beneath it as if its joints had turned to liquid. The newly born lifeform let out a high-pitched whine. Its chest rose and fell rapidly, once, twice, then fell still. Any trace of life that once inhabited this unstable lifeform vanished, snuffed out like a candle flame in the wind.
Before anyone could process the cursed event that just transpired, Animo tossed the small corpse in the direction of his giant frog, which gulped it down.
What the Charmcasters face paled, but she quickly recovered. It wasnt uncommon for her to sacrifice cute animals to concoct magical experiments. However, she still eyed Dr. Animo.
Animo shrugged. It was going to perish today anyway.
This explanation was unnecessary, Animo. Clancy, a man with a worn-out coat and pale green skin, looked darkly at him. He felt the cockroaches, flies, and countless other insects beneath his coat stir in shock. If I dont find anything useful, Ill kill him like he killed a precious insect without a second thought!Stolen novel; please report.
I think he has Antisocial Personality Disorder in addition to Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Sublimino, a small bald man in a red and yellow coat and sunglasses, glanced at his (real) pocket watch. We get it, you enjoy talking. Get to the point.
Anyway, since I found Ben, Gwen, and Max Tennyson, Ive used birds and occasionally frogs to keep track of them. Animo waved his hand.
Okay, you dont lie, but how are you going to remove the Omnitrix, genius? Rojo, the dark-red-haired punk young woman, frowned.
Animos brow furrowed, a mix of confusion and amusement playing across his face. I never said anything about removing the Omnitrix. I dont have the capability to do that. But if any of you want to give it a shot, be my guest.
Rojo raised her weapon, pointing it at him, but he remained unfazed. I expected she would be more impressive than merely carrying a firearm, given her prime counterpart possessing some kind of cybernetic armor. Regardless, this ragtag team serves as the perfect diversion. We all utilize each other. I dont even need to lie about my intentions. The problem will arise later And the notice couldnt have happened at a worse time
Rojo slowly lowered her weapon when she noticed that the remaining eight werent outraged. They either knew or didnt prioritize taking the Omnitrix.
Im more interested in collecting more DNA from the Omnitrix and stealing anything of value from this Plumbers base in one fell swoop, especially considering the recent notice. Animo continued. And I have no doubt this place is filled with useful but dangerous items
None of them missed the emphasis on more a clear threat that his arsenal included creatures with alien abilities.
Fine Ill also settle for the items. It wasnt like Rojo could say anything else, but the looks she received spoke volumes of: What the hell is she doing here with us? She tried to strike a balance between being menacing and not overly annoying. The good thing was that a firearm wasnt entirely useless.
Hold up! The man in the brown and black uniform gripped his multi-function gun, his yellow kangaroo symbol gleaming. Are we just gonna ignore the elephant in the room? Why not wait for the Omnitrix kid to leave? And Animo, why havent you invaded this place solo before now? This whole setup stinks of a trap!
Animo rolled his eyes. Please. Does anyone here actually believe a secret base would be hidden in a national monument?
The group fell silent, exchanging uneasy glances. Even those who didnt dismiss the idea outright had to admit if it was true, how would they get in? Storming the place as a group suddenly didnt seem so foolish, especially given the unknown number of occupants and security measures.
Look. Animo continued, impatience creeping into his voice. I only confirmed the base existence by tracking them here. The Omnitrix holders been inside for days, and time is of the essence.
The man in the kangaroo suit Kangaroo Kommando relaxed his grip on his weapon. Fair enough. I suppose I could use this chance to swipe some tech and test myself against Tennyson.
Just be quick about it. Animo cautioned, barely suppressing a laugh. Some of us are here for shall we say, more permanent solutions. For him and the other Tennysons.
The doctor found it hilarious. He marveled at the absurdity of holding grudges based on cartoon events from another universe. Equally amusing was the underestimation of a potentially competent Omnitrix user. This wielder might not be so easily eliminated. After all, it was virtually impossible for anyone to be more incompetent than Ben Prime.
Animo recognized the opportunity at hand. The group would serve as an ideal distraction, enabling him to capture Ben and access the DNA and life signatures within the Omnitrix. Additionally, as he stated to them, he aimed to acquire valuable technology, alien DNA, and artifacts from the Plumber base.
Anyway, how can we sneak in? Sublimino inquired before one of them could get angry.
We cant. We must assume an alarm will go off no matter what. Lets enter by force. Animo shook his head.
Charmcaster crossed her arms. Why didnt you leave one of your creatures with them so we could enter secretly?
I did! Dont underestimate my genius! My cyborg insects which arent easy to mass produce were planted in their RV. But two little aliens, Galvans if I remember correctly, devoured them without even realizing, just commenting that was crunchy.
Everyone paused, processing this information.
Alright, where do we get in? Kevin Levin, a black-haired teenager, cut to the chase. He wasnt about to waste time on pointless details.
Animo pondered for a moment. I collected some gasoline from their RV. I can use a Canis olfactinsecta minimus to track where they entered.
Are you serious? Charmcaster eyed the mad doctor. Didnt you just kill one of those things, saying it was useless?
Ah, but that was then, and this is now, my dear Charmcaster. He reached into his pocket, producing another slimy egg. Lets go, Negative-10!
The name is stupid, dude. Kevin scratched his head. I touch the Omnitrix and get unmatched power? Simple enough. Why not.
Just wanted to say it out loud. Animo shrugged as the egg hatched in his hand.
Chapter 20 – Destructive reflections
Night
The first sensation Ben registered was pressure against his side and cheek. It didnt feel soft like a bed; it was as if he was on the ground. Strangely, despite the chilly weather, he found himself without a bedcover yet fully clothed.
As consciousness fully returned, Ben confirmed his suspicion: he was indeed lying on frigid ground. Slowly, he pushed himself up and opened his eyes.
Initially, his vision could only discern a handful of blurry light sources. As his eyes adjusted, he cautiously approached the edge of the platform he found himself on.
Gazing out, he recognized the silhouettes of skyscrapers piercing the night sky, most notably the distinctive Billion Tower.
Lowering his gaze, he could barely make out the streets below, the moving lines of car headlights providing the only illumination to the otherwise dark cityscape. Based on his surroundings, Ben concluded he must be on the rooftop of a tall building.
Why did Grandpa attack me? Why am I here? Ben looked instinctively at his Omnitrix. Without it, he would be far more scared no! Even worse for him, without the Omnitrix, he would be
The princess has finally woken up. A hoarse and distorted voice sounded behind him.
Ben turned around. He was wary but since he wasnt harmed while he was unconscious, he didnt immediately transform.
An alien? Or a monster? He looks like one of those crappy monster toys you can assemble with different parts, but then some overzealous artist had the idea to draw it in an ultra-realistic style Wait, what?! His heart pounded as he finally reached a conclusion, noticing the black hair on the head of the monster.
This is one of the things I wanted to avoid at all costs! Grandpa! Why did you knock me out?! What happened at Mt. Rushmore?! Why is he here?!
Nice to meet you, Kevin E. Levin! Ben started with a smile.
Yeah, nice to meet you, Ben Tennyson! Kevin continued with a smile, but on his current face, his smile wasnt humanlike.
Kevin was Vilgaxs only rival as the greatest antagonist in the original Ben 10 series. His debut showed his ruthlessness at just 10 years old, he attempted to murder train passengers for money without hesitation. His energy absorption ability made him particularly dangerous, as he could absorb the Omnitrix energy!
Ben dropped his casual facade. He wanted answers now!
His hand reached the Omnitrix, selecting an alien but not transforming yet for the same reason that had kept him from transforming when he first awoke. He wasnt hurt.
What do you want?! What happened?! Are you still sane after absorbing the Omnitrix energy?!
On the night, one could see a small figure on the roof and in front of him a giant bulky figure of more than two meters.
If hes crazy, Ill kill him, no matter which side he chose! I cant hesitate like I did with Nemesis! This thought filled Bens mind. Though he had never killed before and preferred not to, the situation was already bad and unclear enough without allowing something to make it worse Like a new version of Kevin 11 roaming free!
The 11 represented Kevins combined powers his original ability plus the powers of Bens 10 aliens.
In front of him stood the amalgamation of his current 10 aliens. Even with just 1/10 of each aliens power, he would still be dangerous due to his versatility and that was the best-case scenario. The extent of Kevins powers in the original timeline was never clear, and this universe might operate under different rules.
The entity towered over two meters tall, its bulky humanoid form both imposing and terrifying. Eight spider-like legs, each as thick as a tree trunk and three meters long, protruded from its back, covered in dark armored plating. Its body was a patchwork of different textures and colors a torso wrapped in bandages with glowing green eyes peering through the gaps, muscular arms covered in dark red and brown rocks that radiated heat and fire, and hands that ended in crab-like pincers.
The entitys face was a grotesque fusion of features. A monstrous mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth dominated its lower half, while multiple eyes covered the upper portion, creating an unsettling visage. Two bat-like ears jutted from the sides of its head, and bizarrely, a Victorian-style mustache adorned its upper lip.
Transparent purple spikes protruded from its forearms, releasing an otherworldly smoke that wrapped itself around the creature. A large, battery-like structure on its back hummed with electrical energy, sending intermittent bolts of green lightning coursing across its body.
The creature was a monstrous fusion of disparate elements.
Its quite simple, Tennyson, Kevin finally answered one of his questions. What better way to control my new powers than to confront you!
I see The tone of Ben relaxed, but his stiff posture, ready to slam the Omnitrix, showed it was an act. And do you intend to kill me after?
No, I can only obtain your current transformations abilities. So I will come back to you when you unlock new ones of course, I will come back whether you like it or not.
What hap
Figure it out yourself, Tennyson. Im not your personal historian. Just be grateful to get to live since this person wanted you dead. The green electricity around Kevin crackled stronger. Are you ready to fight?! Ive chosen this city as the perfect arena!
Arena? Wait! Cant you choose an empty place?! Ben yelled.
I knew it, he needs to die, quickly! Before he can do any damage, before he can become proficient with my aliens! There was no place for hesitation.
No, boring. And I always wondered what a city would look like in- Kevin 11s words were cut short as a blinding green flash engulfed Ben.
Transformation sequence Duration: 0.00 seconds
His human eyes receded into their sockets before vanishing entirely. His ears grew and reshaped, taking on a bat-like appearance. His skin transformed, becoming a mottled brown and yellow-tan hue with a slightly rough texture.
His fingers elongated marginally, becoming more dexterous. Suddenly, dozens of vibrant green round eyes with jet-black pupils erupted across his body. They appeared on his arms, back, torso, and both palms, leaving only his mouth and bat-like ears on his face.
The Omnitrix symbol blazed a brilliant green on his belt as a pair of black and green pants materialized, serving as his clothes.
Recap of abilities
He possesses a few dozen eyes spread across his body. Each eye can emit various energy beams, including freezing rays, green fire, and electricity, among other abilities.
He can freely move his eyes across his bodys surface and combine multiple eyes into a larger one to create more powerful energy projections.
In an instant, emerald flames erupted from every one of Eye Guys eyes, converging on Kevin in a devastating barrage.
Though Heatblast possessed a far superior fire output, Ben chose Eye Guy for his versatility.
Green beams alternated between searing flames and freezing ice in rapid succession, each blast striking Kevins armored form. The constant thermal stress caused his protective plating to fracture and splinter.
Tennyson! Kevin roared under the assault, but before he could close the distance, a powerful gust of wind from Eye Guys eyes forced him back.
During his training at Mt. Rushmore, Ben had discovered Eye Guys true potential. While the aliens logic eluded him, Ben understood its capabilities each eye could harness elemental powers at will. Though weaker than specialized aliens, this versatility made Eye Guy uniquely dangerous. Whether through magic or science, the mechanism remained a mystery.
Now! All of Eye Guys eyes merged into one massive orb. A colossal beam of freezing energy engulfed Kevin, encasing him in a prison of ice. Without pause, he followed with a blast of intense heat, vaporizing both Kevin and his icy cage.
Using Thermal shock rapid alternation between hot and cold I disrupted his cellular structure in case he could regenerate like Snare-Oh. Since I didnt give him any chance to attack and his lack of mastery over his powers, it was simple. Eye Guy slammed his hand against the Omnitrix dial on his belt, reverting to human.
Reading scientific articles with Brainstorm and the training really paid off I have at least one special move for each transformation except the last I wonder if Kevin could have figured out what the purple smoke can do since I cant.
Ive killed someone Huh. I thought Id feel something No Im not feeling guilt But I do feel something He looked at the city from the rooftop, though his vision had worsened to where he could only see balls of light. Meh Lets transform into Snare-Oh and fix
Ben turned around as a strange noise sounded.
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA! A maniacal laughter cut through the eerie silence, sending chills down Bens metaphorical spine. You are effectively the GOAT, Tennyson! I didnt expect to feel fear since I became 11.
From a small scrap of burned, distorted metallic bandage, Kevins regeneration began. Flesh, bone, and metal coalesced at an alarming rate, his monstrous form materializing like a nightmare given form.
Ben looked at his watch with difficulty, desperate to finish Kevin off, but afraid choosing the wrong alien he could barely distinguish the shapes in time.
Within seconds, Kevin 11 stood whole again, a towering amalgamation of alien parts, each more terrifying than the last. His eyes fixed on Ben.
I cant fight you now the time limit of my watch is worse than in the saga only a few seconds, but its still the greatest weapon in the universe! Though Ben could actually fight, there were too many unknowns to prioritize it, and the battle wouldnt stay confined to the rooftop.
Besides, Kevin couldnt kill him since he needed to collect more alien powers from the Omnitrix and Ben could always hunt Kevin down later.
Kevin blinked at the explanation it was fair enough actually.
Really? I was hyped for nothing! Green electricity crackled across Kevins body, arcing between his mismatched limbs as he began to levitate. He was about to soar away before he stopped, his monstrous form hovering ominously above the rooftop.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.
Just kidding, your Omnitrix doesnt look red to me. Are you lying? Planning to track me down later, to arrest or kill me in some secluded location? Or maybe youre just trying to escape like a coward?
Ben maintained his poker face. Not everything works the same in each universe. If anything, showing a bright red light when depowered is impractical compared to just not working.
Actually, Ben wondered what the time-off really meant, since most of the Omnitrixs functions clearly worked afterward, but this wasnt the moment to think about it.
Kevin blinked again it felt like bullshit, but the explanation was still oddly reasonable.
Then let me check this
Nope! Ben selected Heatblast on his Omnitrix. Damn, hes sharp, or its due to Brainstorm Anyway, I now have 30 full minutes of transformation time instead of 29 due to my stalling but lets keep this short. I cant use the same strategy.
Kevin launched towards him like a missile. A brilliant green flash engulfed Ben, transforming him into Heatblast, a being of fire and molten rock.
In an instant, a roaring inferno erupted, hurling a tidal wave of flames at Kevin. The scorching blast would have incinerated any normal being, but Kevin 11 was far from ordinary. He stood his ground, a dark silhouette amidst the raging firestorm.
Beneath their feet, the rooftop began to liquefy, bubbling and hissing. Rivers of molten concrete flowed between the cracks, casting an eerie glow across the battlefield.
Through the wall of flames, Kevin 11s eyes flashed a brilliant green. A barrage of emerald lasers erupted from them, piercing through the fiery veil and streaking towards the source of the inferno.
The lasers struck Heatblast with devastating force. In an instant, the fiery alien was engulfed in a rapidly expanding cocoon of ice. Steam hissed violently as fire and frost collided. Within seconds, where once stood a being of living flame and magma, there was now only a frozen, crystalline statue.
Kevin flew towards the ice statue, his massive hand striking it off the roof. Before it could begin to fall, fire ignited within the statue. Heatblast levitated as he increased his heat his flames shifting from red to orange, then blazing into bright yellow.
For simplicity, Ben called it Heatblast 3 and sometimes Heatblast Yellow form. He was proud of himself for the originality somewhere in another multiverse, someone sneezed.
Flame heat and color levels
- 0. Invisible: <525C (<977F)
- Dark red: 525-600C (977-1112F)
- Dull red: 600-800C (1112-1472F)
- Heatblast base form. Bright cherry red: 800-1000C (1472-1832F)
- 2. Orange: 1000-1200C (1832-2192F)
- 3. Bright yellow: 1200-1400C (2192-2552F)
- 4. White: 1400-2400C (2552-4352F)
- 5. Blue: 2400-3000C (4352-5432F)
- Peak. Violet/Blue-violet: >3000C (>5432F)
Heatblasts body generates a plasma-magma like liquid that combines with atmospheric oxygen to produce controlled flames.
Each heat stage increases the speed, fire output, and heat. Only the Invisible stage and the Violet/Blue-violet stage have other clear advantages.
Done playing around, Tennyson? Lets fight! Kevins monstrous voice thundered across the night sky as he rocketed towards Heatblast.
Underneath With this thought in mind, Heatblast ignited his flames to maximum thrust, leaving a blazing trail of superheated smoke in his wake. Kevin pursued relentlessly, slowly but surely closing the gap between them until he abruptly halted mid-flight.
Im bored Since you dont want to fight then Malice dripped from Kevins words as he angled his grotesque form down, towards the unsuspecting city below.
Stop. The word carried weight beyond its simplicity. While saving civilians wasnt Bens primary objective, Kevin had absorbed his Omnitrixs energy. Though Ben hadnt anticipated being knocked unconscious nor he noticed any warning signs, this situation was his responsibility not from any moral obligation to use his powers for others, but because this chaos stemmed partially from his own failure to protect his Omnitrix.
Kevin paused as he gazed at Heatblast. The fiery alien thought, Should I try to have a normal conversation? I cant fully understand him and hes real, not some 2D character But I did try to kill him and will probably continue
W As Ben began, Kevin flew downward. He crackled with more emerald electricity, his monstrous form propelling towards the bustling streets below, his maniacal laughter echoing through the night like thunder.
HAHAHAHA! Did you actually expect me to stop? The night is going to be fun!
No! Heatblast unleashed a continuous stream of flames from his hands. He rocketed after Kevin 11, leaving a trail of fire in his wake. The chase was on, a deadly game of cat and mouse in the unsuspecting city.
However Heatblast 3 was still too slow to catch up to Kevin 11 in time.
A monstrous creature, pieced together from mismatched body parts, tore through the night sky like a nightmare come to life. It crashed into the city with the force of a runaway train. An apartment building, home to dozens of families, shook violently as the beast slammed into it. In seconds, the structure folded in on itself like a house of cards. The air filled with the ear-splitting screech of twisting metal and shattering glass, drowning out the terrified screams of those trapped inside.
On the streets below, chaos reigned. Cars flipped as if tossed by a giant child, their passengers still inside. Lampposts snapped like twigs, sparks showering down as live wires whipped about, and pavement cracked under each impact. Sirens wailed in the distance as destruction engulfed the city.
HAHA! We are having fun! Right, Tennyson?! Kevins eyes scanned the night sky, his other eyes shooting beams of fire, ice, and electricity with absurd precision towards anyone in sight, mainly using ice beams to the head, leaving survivors to claw desperately at their throats as they struggled to breathe.
His spider-like limbs struck out with horrifying accuracy, skewering those brave or unlucky enough to be nearby. Each strike deliberately missed vital organs, leaving victims suspended like grotesque puppets, their blood painting abstract patterns on the cracked pavement below, their agonized cries echoing through the air.
A few of the impaled victims summoned the strength to fire at Kevin, but their bullets bounced harmlessly off his monstrous frame. Demonstrating his dominance, Kevin unleashed a burst of flames and electricity from his spider-like limbs onto the helpless victims. Their screams intensified as they burned like meat on a grill until only the sizzling of their charring flesh could be heard.
An unholy smell filled the surroundings.
Everything unfolded in less than one minute!
You are too slow!
In relentless pursuit, a living inferno blazed across the night, a second sun in the sky. The being of flame halted mid-flight, its core temperature surging beyond 1400 C (2552 F). The yellow flames intensified, growing brighter and hotter until they transformed into a blinding white inferno reaching 2100 C (3812 F).
The air around Heatblast 4 shimmered and distorted, only a little smoke remained as the extreme heat nearly consumed all fuel. This fiery apparition became a beacon in the darkness, its raw heat warping steel beams and shattering glass.
KEVIN!
The few survivors who remained could only watch in horror as the two beings of destruction clashed above them.
Heatblast extended his hands forward, unleashing a barrage of white-hot fire. The blasts erupted from his palms in rapid succession, each stream intertwining with crimson ribbons of superheated magma-plasma that sustained the intense combustion.
Through the clearing dust cloud, Kevin, crackling with green electricity, burst forth with devastating speed. However, with the current stage of transformation being even faster, Heatblast 4 easily evaded the charge. He unleashed a hellish barrage of superheated punches, each strike leaving smoldering craters in Kevins grotesque form.
Kevin feinted right, but Heatblast anticipated, dodging left exactly as Kevin planned. His heat-resistant metallic bandages snaked around the fiery being, unnoticed.
Before Heatblast could react, Kevin whirled him like a meteor, slamming him repeatedly against the crumbling pavement, through parked vehicles, and into building walls. Finally, Kevin released his grip, sending the living inferno crashing through multiple buildings. Each collision ignited new fires as he crashed through floor after floor, leaving fire and molten concrete in his wake.
While this transformation excelled at heat manipulation, it lacked physical durability, though it still surpassed human. Every impact registered as searing pain in his mind, though miraculously nothing seemed completely shattered at least not yet.
Amidst the burning wreckage in a building floor, Heatblast pushed aside smoldering rubble, his mind racing despite the pain. It was brief, but I saw it Kevin was still burned when he threw me. His regeneration is slowing. I never tested Snare-Ohs regeneration limits, but truly unlimited regeneration shouldnt be possible I think? I have 26 minutes remaining. I need to force him to regenerate repeatedly until he cant anymore
He propelled himself through a shattered window, emerging from the building. In that instant, he spotted dozens of vehicles hurtling through the air not directly at him, but at seemingly random trajectories around and behind him. The scattered pattern suggested Kevin wasnt simply throwing them wildly.
You fucking! Heatblasts flames flickered between colors, straining towards but never quite reaching blue. Concentrating intensely, his hands began alternating between white and blue flames, the heat so extreme it threatened to burn even himself. The fire condensed, no longer wavering but focused into pure destructive force.
Special move: White-Blue Oven Turnado.
Heatblast launched forward with explosive force, his body becoming a living maelstrom of destruction. The air itself seemed to scream as he spun, creating a cyclonic inferno of blue-white flames that turned the night into day. The vortex of hellfire twisted and roared, its heat so intense it warped reality itself, creating visible distortions in the air that bent light like a mirage.
The hurled vehicles melted instantly, transformed from solid metal into superheated liquid that joined the tempest. Before Kevin could process the devastation, Heatblast pierced through his torso like a needle through fabric. The heat was so extreme it didnt just cauterize it instantaneously vaporized flesh and bone, leaving a perfectly clean hole through Kevins monstrous form, the edges glowing white-blue-hot in the darkness.
Kevin rocketed higher, his regeneration faltering against the sheer destructive power of the attack. With calculated brutality, he tore at his own wounds, ripping open the cauterized flesh again and again, forcing his increasingly taxed and slower healing factor to work overtime.
Kevin zigzagged between buildings No! He crashed straight through them, unleashing unnecessary streams of fire and ice in every direction. A twisted smile played across his monstrous features as he witnessed the ease with which he could extinguish life and destroy.
Ben halted his tornado attack and pursued Kevin, switching tactics to launch successive balls of white-hot fire. Though most missed their mark, the sheer number ensured enough hits to be effective, each impact further taxing Kevins weakening regeneration.
The logical part of Kevins mind raced. Hes figured out the regeneration weakness. I should leave Ive figured out five of my alien powers and gained insight into creating combination moves. Thats enough profit. Plus, his position is being displayed live, and whats currently happening isnt exactly subtle. Some Negative-10 members want him dead, but I need him alive, so hurting him would be stupid since he would be defenseless. Cant capture or keep him unconscious either. Could get sedatives from a hospital, but the tracking issue remains. Also, the point is to uncover my powers, not pointless destruction
Suddenly he punched himself, surprising Heatblast for a fraction of a second before the latter continued his assault.
No. I think too much. Im not a nerd He looked behind him, then tilted his head as a fire blast nearly hit him, the sheer heat darkening his face before it slowly regenerated. Hey, Tennyson. Thanks! Its been a while since I wasnt bored. Well not exactly true, but just watching the saga and knowing about the wars isnt as interesting if I do nothing but learn and watch.
Heatblast looked at Kevin 11 absently while continuing his barrage. Bored?
Anyway, you noticed? I only flew around the already destroyed zone, but now
A beam of white fire flickering with blue cut through his words, but Kevin dodged and dove below. Lets see how many die before you can stop me!
Yet Heatblast didnt pursue him and landed on a rooftop, looking at the chaos below.
Bored? Ben repeated out loud.
He wasnt shocked by Kevins motivation for destruction (though there was obviously more beneath the surface), but rather that his own reason for action was the same as him.
His main drive was never about freedom or control it was about escaping boredom. The Omnitrix was the greatest toy any teenager could wish for. Sure, he took it seriously and trained, but looking at Kevin, he couldnt help but feel disturbed.
They were different, yet werent they both just mindlessly acting to avoid boredom the feeling of emptiness?
Bens apathy towards the unfolding devastation spoke volumes. While he derived no joy from civilian casualties like Kevin did, their fates stirred little within him.
He was simply excited to fight Kevin and test his abilities.
No. I shouldnt be ashamed of who I am But is avoiding boredom enough of a goal?
Heatblast shook his head. Regardless, he could tell when something was clearly wrong, and Kevin touching his Omnitrix was his responsibility. His rampage through the city needed to be stopped, and quickly!
I have a plan! He slammed the dial on his torso.
A green light engulfed the surroundings.
Remaining time in Heatblast: 23 minutes
Reduction percentage per switch: 30%
Number of switches: 1
Calculation: 23 * (100% - 30%)^1 = 16.1 minutes
Approximation accounting for the time elapsed after transformations: About 16 minutes remaining
Chapter 21 – Urban apocalypse
A few moments ago
The neon lights of the citys night streets cast an eerie glow on the faces of two teenage friends, as they walked along the walkway.
Hey Cash, did you hear the news? JTs eyes sparkled with excitement. Sumo Smasher Ultra Smash 2 is dropping at the end of the year!
Cash raised an eyebrow. No way, did they reveal the plot?
Yeah! Its insane. So get this JTs words trailed off as Cash suddenly froze in his tracks.
Cashs face drained of color. He stared at something JT couldnt see a certain interface hovering nearby. Sweat beaded on his forehead as the Omnitrix icon inched closer, then mercifully stopped.
Its just a coincidence. His heart raced. Why am I even a participant? I dont have powers!
As the Omnitrix icon lingered nearby, Cashs mind raced with memories of Ben, his former bullying target. He shuddered, recalling a particular incident that he couldnt bring himself to fully remember. The mere thought of Ben now filled him with a deep fear.
That day, he Cashs thoughts trailed off, unable to complete the sentence even in his own mind. Despite their mutual avoidance now and Cashs attempts at apology, an overwhelming sense of dread consumed him whenever he thought of Ben.
If Ben Prime, who was supposed to be normal, had been resentful enough to use his alien forms for petty revenge against the Prime Cash and JT, what horrors could this version of Ben inflict with that kind of power? The possibilities made Cashs blood run cold.
You okay, man? Concern etched JTs features.
Cash swallowed hard, trying to keep his voice steady. Y-yeah. Lets, uh, go this way instead! He pointed in a direction, desperate to put distance between himself and the Omnitrix icon.
But its the opposite direction from your vacation home. JT pushed his glasses up to his nose as he tilted his head. You said
So what? Since were here, lets explore. Cash forced a grin, trying to appear nonchalant. Anyway, I heard they opened a new fast food place
They made their way through the streets, soon arriving at the busy city center where crowds of people hurried past and traffic created a constant background roar.
Greetings, children! A warm voice called out. The speaker, wearing a predominantly golden robe with red accents and a hood, approached them with gleaming eyes full of devout passion. Would you care to contribute to our charity or, even better, join our blessed family? All in the name of Dagon, the benevolent.
JT turned his head, curiosity piqued, but Cash quickly pulled him along. Dont look him in the eyes and pretend you didnt hear. Cash muttered under his breath.
Yeah, I know. JT replied quietly. But I was just wondering what Dagon was.
As they shrugged off the encounter, a comforting yet disturbing warmth enveloped them from behind. The devoted servant of Dagon, sensing an awakening curiosity, stepped forward with gentle eagerness.
Dagon, dear seekers, is the name of our Benevolent Lord who blessed this world with His divine presence millennia ago. He came to share His infinite wisdom. The sacred prophecies foretell His glorious return, which is soon upon us! When He shall embrace us all in His boundless love
Yeah, yeah, get lost! Cash waved his hand dismissively, cutting off the eager explanation. With visible displeasure, the cultist melted back into the crowd.
JT pulled out his phone, his fingers flying over the screen, his eyes widening. For a religion I never heard about, I didnt expect more than ten million to be a part of it!
Ten million? Cool, I suppose Cash remained indifferent. Why should we care?
We dont. Still interesting though JT agreed, closing the browser and opening the map application on his phone. Hey, the new fast food place is nearby. Lets go this way, its quicker. He pointed to a side street.
Cash nodded, Sure, Im getting hungry anyway
Several loud sounds resonated through the air. The ground trembled beneath their feet, sending vibrations through their bones.
Screams erupted from behind the buildings. The bustling city center transformed into chaos as fear rippled through the crowd. Cash and JT watched as some fled away from the sounds while others, either brave or foolish, ran towards them.
Maybe we should head back. JTs voice trembled.
No shit
All the onlookers eyes dilated in shock and horror. Cars and lampposts went flying through the air like deadly missiles, hurtling towards them and many others unlucky enough to be in the path of destruction.
In a heartbeat, a car came flying towards JT and Cash, its metal frame glinting ominously in the moonlight. Cash, mere centimeters away, felt the rush of air as the vehicle whooshed past him, ruffling his hair
But JT wasnt so lucky.
The car slammed into JT with a sickening crunch, its mass of steel and glass crushing him instantly. It bounced, leaving a dark-red smear with organic matter on the pavement a split-second transformation from life to death that Cashs mind failed to process.
The momentum carried the vehicle forward, causing it to bounce once more before smashing into a nearby wall with a deafening impact that shook the ground.
Cash stood paralyzed, unable to comprehend the horror before him. He couldnt register the warm drops of blood and organic matter spattering his clothes, nor the sharp glass fragments embedded in his belly and thighs. The wounds werent fatal, but they would be extremely harmful if he could feel the pain through his shock.
He tried to pinpoint JT but JT was on the pavement, he was on the car, he was on the wall, he was on Cash he could be considered to be everywhere.
Starting to tremble, Cash looked down at the screen that only he could see.
The accursed Omnitrix symbol was nearer than before, pulsing with an eerie green light that seemed to mock the destruction around him.
Suddenly, a blinding light descended from above, resembling a second sun plummeting towards Earth. While panicked onlookers craned their necks skyward, Cash remained fixated on the screen.
Present
In a ravaged city, the once-bustling streets lay in ruins. Shattered glass, rubble, corpses, and vehicles littered the ground like macabre confetti. The few survivors remained hidden not that it would save them their cries echoing from both inside buildings and out in the open.
Sirens wailed in succession, only to be silenced as the police cars went sailing through the air, crashing into specific windows of nearby buildings from were frightened whimpers could be heard.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.
I feel I can Kevins consciousness expanded as new sensations flooded his mind, as if limbs were being grafted onto his being. The feeling was intoxicating.
Hey, Tennyson! How many people can you save?! Kevins malicious voice echoed through the devastation. His crab-like appendage morphed into a massive metallic sphere. With a sinister grin, he slammed it against the ground. The earth trembled and split, vibrations intensifying with each passing second. The surrounding buildings began to crumble, their foundations giving way. Screams from those trapped inside were quickly silenced, save for a few weakening voices beneath the rubble.
Tennyson? Kevins voice echoed through the destruction.
When no response came, he tried again, more urgently.
Tennyson! His shout carried a mix of confusion and frustration as he scanned the rubble, finding no trace of the Omnitrix wielder.
Hes scared after all. Since he was unconscious when I found him, I wonder for how long He should know that every participant can locate his Omnitrix!
Kevin focused on the Omnitrix tracking map in his mind. Usually, it displayed two points from a birds-eye view: a white dot for himself and the Omnitrix symbol, both against a plain green background. Simple but effective just these markers on the featureless expanse. Now, strangely, only the Omnitrix symbol remained visible.
What does it His thought cut short as he looked up, eyes widening in sheer terror.
The night sky had transformed into a nightmarish sea of sickly green, descending upon the world like divine wrath. The air thickened, each breath becoming a struggle as the verdant doom crept closer.
Kevins survival instinct screamed at him to flee. As he tensed to run, bandages erupted from the ground beneath his feet. They shot up like demonic serpents, wrapping around his limbs and body with crushing force. In seconds, he was mummified.
Im afraid youre going to stay.
Desperate, Kevin electrified himself, launching upward while shocking Ben through the bandages. Snare-Oh groaned but tightened his grip, causing Kevin to lose focus and slam back to the ground. The bandages crushed his chest even tighter, making him gasp for air as his vision blurred.
Then, instead of losing consciousness, Kevin adapted. Though he no longer needed to breathe, he remained trapped, awaiting the impending doom.
At this size, bystanders are going to die! Kevins voice cracked with desperation.
Dont pretend you care. Bens words dripped with hatred. He would have tightened his grip if possible, but he was already squeezing with maximum force.
And you dont? Kevin challenged, defiant to the end.
Not really, to be honest. And I have my priorities. So stay down and die in peace, nutcase!
At the end, more and more anger gave him strength. The bandages constricted further, squeezing the last fragments of hope from Kevin as the green doom descended from above, promising a terrifying end.
NO! Kevin trembled as he exploded with newfound strength.
Explanation
Ben can switch between alien forms by pressing the Omnitrix dial on his current alien form. Each transformation reduces his remaining time by 30%, requiring careful planning to avoid premature reversion to human form.
After assessing the situation, Ben realized Heatblast couldnt guarantee victory against Kevin. He transformed into Buzzshock, an alien capable of becoming living electricity. Though Buzzshock can move at extreme speeds, this ability only works in short bursts without an energy source. Using this brief acceleration, he shot skyward.
In the air, he became Ball Weevil, who creates explosive green spheres that grow exponentially by absorbing matter, including air. As his projectile fell, it expanded dramatically until it dominated the entire sky.
Then, Ben briefly switched to Webwarp, his alien capable of creating portal-linked webs, to set his strategy in motion.
Descending as Buzzshock, he immediately transformed into Snare-Oh. In this mummified form, he restrained Kevin while grabbing a nearby lamppost, positioning them both directly beneath the certain falling object (not the green ball) he had tactically arranged.
Remaining time in Heatblast: 23 minutes
Reduction percentage per switch: 30%
Number of switches: 5
Calculation: 23 * (100% - 30%)^5 = 3.86561 minutes
Approximation accounting for the time elapsed after transformations: About 3 minutes remaining
One of Kevins crab pincers burst free from its bandage prison. It morphed into a hand, gripping the remaining wrappings that encased his body. With desperate strength, Kevin tore at his bindings, casting them aside. The bandages, light as paper, drifted harmlessly to the ground nearby.
Before Kevin could move, he found himself in the air, directly beneath the massive object hed been trying to avoid. The balls otherworldly green glow and immense size left him momentarily stunned.
In his shock, and due to the matching color, Kevin missed the green web adhered to the spheres surface. Not that it mattered Ben had already destroyed the second web portal near the ground it could even land.
Quick! Kevin activated his absorbed Buzzshock flight ability. Though he couldnt fully transform into electricity like the alien, he could achieve electrical propulsion and generate electricity without visible limits unknowingly surpassing Buzzshocks own capabilities in this regard. While not matching the aliens speed, Kevin still moved impressively fast.
He rocketed in one direction but stopped abruptly after ten seconds. Buzzshock blocked his path, hovering before him.
Sorry, but hell isnt this way. The aliens voice sparked with electricity.
Wait! We can talk! Kevins face twisted into a gloomy expression. His mind raced: Is his plan to trigger the bomb while stopping me, then transform into the mummy alien to survive? Or can his current form already withstand the explosion?
Y-you just attacked me out of nowhere. I panicked! Kevin stammered, fear seeping into his voice.
The truth was, Kevin remained still because at this distance, hed surely be caught in the explosion. His instincts screamed warnings, while purple smoke emanating from his arms grew increasingly luminescent its purpose unknown even to him.
I admit I was the one who started this. The small electric aliens voice tinged with regret. Maybe I No, I should have tried talking more. I panicked, and Im sorry To be honest, maybe I just wanted to blow off steam.
The little alien raised his hand towards the massive green sphere above them. His voice hardened. But dont get me wrong you clearly didnt panic or hesitate when you killed those people.
With all his strength, Kevin managed a burst of speed, intercepting the electric attack from reaching the ball. At this distance, he couldnt escape the explosion nor outpace wait how was he fast enough to absorb the electric attack?!
A green flash flooded the sky as Armodrillo, a bulky, metallic yellow two-meter alien, was propelled towards Kevin with Buzzshocks momentum. His sharp hand morphed into a spinning drill, whirring at great speed while producing a deafening noise, aimed straight at Kevins head.
Instead of dodging and giving Ben a chance to trigger the bomb, Kevin let his instincts guide him. His mustache suddenly grew exponentially, one side shooting towards the drill. After several hairs were cut, the drill came to a halt as the hair stuck in its mechanism. Kevin lifted Armodrillo by his arm using his mustache.
Without warning, eight metallic spider-legs erupted from Kevins back, whipping through the air with lightning speed. They pierced Armodrillos metallic body in an instant, driving deep into his ribs. Ben gasped as black liquid began oozing from the puncture wounds, dripping steadily like rain.
Youre too annoying, Ben. You didnt have to die, at least not now. Kevin shook his head. If I let him live, hell definitely be able to get rid of me once hes prepared
Thats funny, I was going to say the same. Bens voice was low. His freed arm transformed into a drill. Kevin extended the other side of his mustache to block it, though the drill still pointed menacingly towards him.
Repeating the same thing is only a sign of madness! HAHAHA! Kevin laughed as they both trembled, the drill cutting through the hair.
No, this time you cant dodge! Bens mind screamed.
Special attack: ROTARY DRILL
The drills speed increased exponentially, its deafening sound reducing the hair to particles. Kevin, however, merely covered the arm instead, rendering the drill useless if it couldnt reach him.
Am I supposed to be impressed? Kevin sneered. The spider-legs embedded in Armodrillos ribs crackled with fire and electricity. In mere seconds, Ben would be grilled and carbonized from within.
I won! Kevins mind sang triumphantly. I saw him press the dial on his torso. He cant transform by thought, and with both arms restrained, he cant transform! He is trapped!
Hmm? Kevin felt a growing vibration through his mustache. Thinking about it, isnt this the alien that can
IMPACT!!!
A devastating shockwave erupted from Armodrillos arm, catapulting Kevin like a swirling ragdoll towards the colossal explosive sphere. Blood sprayed from his mouth as the shattering impact pulverized his insides. His spider limbs were forcefully torn from his back, remaining embedded in Bens body as he was hurled away.
Kevin plunged into the gelatinous ball, vanishing for a split second before the night sky itself seemed to tear apart. A blinding flash engulfed everything, turning darkness into day, followed by an earth-shattering boom that shook the very foundations of the city. The fireball devoured the clouds, filling the heavens with light and casting twisted shadows across the trembling earth below.
Remaining time: 3 minutes
Reduction percentage per switch: 30%
Number of switches: 2
Calculation: 3 * (100% - 30%)^2 = 1.47 minutes
Approximation accounting for the time elapsed after transformations: About one minute remaining
Chapter 22 – An Omniversal index entry VI
[Omniversal index Ben 10 Multiverse]
[Section: Kevin E. Levin Basic information (Very abridged) Prime universe]
Due to inconsistencies in his origins, well focus on the essential information:
- Kevin is either an evolved human or a human-alien hybrid.
- He possesses the power to absorb and release energy and matter.
Key points in his story:
-
At eleven years old, Kevin was a troubled youth who used his powers without restraint to fulfill his desires.
-
Ben (Prime) encountered Kevin, and they briefly became friends. However, Ben soon realized that Kevin was dangerously unstable and had no regard for human life. This became evident when Kevin proposed a plan to cause a collision between two trains to steal the money being transported, showing no concern for the passengers who would be killed in the process.
-
After an altercation, Kevin absorbed the Omnitrixs energy while Ben was transformed into an alien, allowing Kevin to temporarily become that alien. After multiple absorptions, Kevin could switch between all of Bens alien forms before a mental breakdown caused him to transform into an amalgamation of all Bens aliens and blame him for this. This made him Bens worst enemy after Vilgax, becoming Kevin 11 (10 aliens + his power).
-
At this point in the story, theres no clear indication that the energy absorption made Kevin unhinged like five years after; it appeared he was already unstable. This might be one of the inconsistencies.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
-
After five years, Kevin managed to return to his normal form and discovered a new ability: matter absorption, which later evolved into matter manipulation.
-
He became Bens ally and best friend.
-
Kevin also became Gwens boyfriend and future husband.
(See Lost future V1 section for more information or Kevin 11''000 short section)
[Section: Kevin E. Levin Basic information (Very abridged) Current universe]
It isnt about life being boring There is no purpose in sight for him. No matter what he tried, nothing would be right for Kevin after some time.
Since following a traditional path didnt work, why not follow an unconventional one?
If he wanted to do something, he would do it.
If he wanted to have something, he would steal it.
If he wanted someone dead, he would kill them.
His reflection was as simple as that. Since he had power, the only question he had to ask himself was what was going to stop me?! The obvious answer was a bullet in the head, either from gangs or the police (or any other authority) if he entered their radar.
So despite being reckless, he more or less managed to accomplish his desires while remaining hidden enough to continue living.
However, he didnt fully manage to cover his tracks from the authorities. If not for the Omniversal war forcing him to move from his underground hideout, he might have received some future visitors and gotten himself filled with bullets.
In the end, becoming a monster by touching the Omnitrix wasnt bad humanity was just a meaningless word for him. It allowed him to protect himself and follow more of his desires, like destroying and killing en masse while having grandiose fights (obviously not childhood dreams, but who hasnt thought of that at least once? He was certain no one hadnt).
Anything else was just pointless detail, why not just have fun?
Current life status : Unknown
[Exit]
Chapter 23 – Beautiful delusions
Remaining time: 1 minute
Reduction percentage per switch: 30%
Number of switches: 2
Calculation: 1 * (100% 30%)^2 = 0.49 minutes
Approximation accounting for the time elapsed after transformations: Less than 30 seconds remaining
Green lightning struck the forest floor, scorching the ground. A red flash followed, and Ben lay there exhausted, his Omnitrix glowing red as it entered its cooldown mode.
Moments before the massive explosion, Ben had transformed into Snare-Oh, utilizing the mummy aliens regenerative abilities to survive the searing heat and devastating blast wave. Suspended in the air, his bandaged form burning and regenerating simultaneously, he endured the excruciating sensation of being torn apart and reformed repeatedly. As his time nearly expired, he made one final transformation into Buzzshock, using the electrical aliens speed to reach the ground safely.
Now back in his human form, every movement sent waves of agony through his body. Though he had prioritized healing his fatal injuries during his time as Snare-Oh, his body remained a battlefield of wounds, both external and internal. Many of them stayed lethal, though not immediately giving him time to transform again for a complete recovery.
His internal organs bore the scorching aftermath of the fight, while his skin displayed patches of charred flesh a painful reminder of Heatblasts special move.
His right arm hung uselessly, twisted into an unnatural U-shape from executing Armodrillos special move a dangerous combination of the aliens vibrations and drilling capabilities. During his training at Mt. Rushmore, his instincts had warned him against attempting this combination, and now he understood why the move had nearly destroyed his arm.
Everything he saw was blurry due to his overuse of Eye Guy. He could distinguish general shapes, but details remained unclear.
He didnt know it, but some of the brown hair on his head was starting to turn grey from constant use of Snare-Oh.
These were the natural abilities of his aliens, but Ben had pushed them beyond their natural limits, which no one in the Prime universe had ever or barely attempted. He called them special moves for a reason; they werent only techniques to be simply mastered. Each transformation needed to physically and mentally adapt to these extreme abilities if such adaptation was even possible.
Sweat and blood trickled down his temple as he gazed at the green smoke-filled night sky.
I hope that explosion was enough to finish him. His fingers dug into the soil. If he survived somehow
His twisted arm throbbed painfully, a reminder of his calculated risk. He could have detonated Ball Weevils explosive sphere earlier, but hed deliberately waited, ensuring Kevin was trapped within its devastating center. The damage to his arm was the price of that decision and his resolve to get rid of Kevin 11.
He wont show his face anytime soon, in any case
His eyes drifted to the Omnitrix, still pulsing red. Should I try to track him or his corpse once it turns green? I can barely stay conscious at this point and he or his remains could be anywhere throughout the city.
He yawned. It would be funny if he actually got reduced to dust.
Could we have talked this through? He remembered back to all the destroyed buildings and flipped cars caused by Kevin when he was too slow as Heatblast to stop him. Thinking about it, Ben didnt even bother trying to save people after.
No, this was the right call. Kevin would have caused more destruction. Removing the water instead of stopping the source would have been stupid However Should I feel worse about everything?
An answer came to his mind. Why pretend to care?
The thing with this Ben was that despite not minding saving people in need and despising criminals that was all. He wouldnt feel too bad, nor would he help people if there was even the slightest inconvenient obstacle in his way. Even if perhaps it was indirectly his fault, since he hadnt even tried to reason with Kevin before attacking him, though for him it was unlikely to work.
At the end, they were random strangers. His anger toward Kevin stemmed mainly from the latters senseless killing. Life was still precious too precious to be ended without purpose or reason.
Gwen and Max knew this to some extent, but not his near-complete indifference.
Come to think of it Mt. Rushmore what actually happened there? How did Kevin get to me? With trembling hands, he retrieved his phone from his pocket. It was powered down despite having enough battery. He pressed the power button, watching the startup screen illuminate. His first instinct was to call his grandfather, but his expression darkened as he stopped his finger mid-tap.
Everything is his fault! Id rather hear from the annoying bitch first. He pressed on the contact labeled Annoying bitch (worst cousin). Living in the same RV had forced him to keep the insults in check whenever they talked. Their mutual dislike was obvious, but stirring up trouble with someone sleeping five meters away wasnt exactly smart.
The answering machine said the number wasnt currently available.
Then hed better explain himself. He pressed the contact Grandpa Max, it rang several times before a familiar voice answered.
Hello, Ben. I was worried. How are you? The voice was devoid of emotion, but it was without a doubt Maxs.
Ben paused, his grip tightening on the phone. The last thing Max would be right now is expressionless. Since Kevin somehow got his hands on him, it wouldnt be much of a stretch to assume that other villains could also have been at Mt. Rushmore.
Sublimino? Ben frowned as he said it, his voice laced with suspicion. He heard a slight gasp at the other end. Listen. If you dont release my Grandpa from your mental control, I
Youll do what, Tennyson? Can you even find me? Subliminos voice cut in, mocking. And even if you do, I assure you that fixing your grandfather wont be as simple as breaking my watch like in the Prime universe. His voice sounded like that of a human trying to imitate a magical dwarf, ridiculous yet menacing.
What do you want? Ben exhaled, his patience wearing thin. The night couldnt get any worse.
Thats simple. Your Omnit
Ben hung up before Sublimino could continue. While part of him wondered if hanging up was a mistake, his logical side knew better the less he heard, the fewer constraints on his actions. If Sublimino had threatened to kill his grandfather, Ben would be forced to let Max die since giving up the Omnitrix was not an option. But by not hearing any threats, he prevented Sublimino from effectively using hostages at all.
With pain, he pressed himself against a tree, feeling the rough bark through his shirt. The weather was cold, but not unbearably so.
He yawned. I want to keep going but I really need to sleep.
Even without Brainstorm, he could more or less form a plan, so he prepared one.
First thing when I wake up and heal: learn about phone signals online, then track down Sublimino using a device Ill build or customize as Brainstorm.
His expression darkened. Then I torture him with Buzzshock, Snare-oh and Heatblast
No why complicate things? I already know the most sensitive parts of human anatomy, and Brainstorm can control electricity precisely enough to cause maximum pain without killing. Perfect for interrogation.
Anyway, he spills everything I want to know, and I free Grandpa from his physical and mental restraints simple enough.
The ideas kept coming. But maybe I should just straight up kill him to avoid him mentally controlling me and figure out how to free Grandpa on my own.
A spark of inspiration hit him, and he sat up straighter. I see! I can knock him out quickly with Buzzshock then prepare a room to torture him without any proximity Maybe a metallic room where electricity can freely pass through Or an oven where I can heat the whole room from outside? Why think about it? Lets do an electric oven!
He considered more complications. I should also prepare a speech-to-text AI in case his voice is enough to control me over prolonged periods Then prepare a text-to-text AI model to give me the text information in the absurd case the text itself can control me No, too paranoid. Anyway, now my plan is foolproof!
Ben leaned his head back against the tree, closing his eyes for a moment with a small smile as he thought of Subliminos future expression.
All lives were precious except those who wronged him or just needed to die.
His mask broke, slowly replaced with anger. No matter how bored and angry he was, he wouldnt find any satisfaction in suffering it was only a means to an end. He was more excited by the process since it would alleviate his boredom.
I trained hard at Mt. Rushmore! Why did Grandpa knock me out?! Wasnt I worthy?! Too incompetent for him?! And thinking about it
Ben looked at his left arm where a small, nearly invisible dot mark remained, still causing residual pain. I was also administered some drug to keep me unconscious Did Grandpa want to steal the Omnitrix from me? MY OMNITRIX?!If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Anger filled him, but he forced himself to calm down. Grandpa Max will explain himself when
A new realization struck. If Sublimino had Gwen, he would have mentioned it.
What happened at Mt. Rushmore!?
The most likely culprits would be Charmcaster, her uncle Hex, or both which would be much worse or Darkstar. His fingers unconsciously traced the bark of the tree as the possibilities came flooding his mind. And thinking about it, all of them are likely to leave her dead or barely alive due to her awakened bloodline
He shook his head. She doesnt have magic and she isnt a participant. So either Im wrong or she lied
Eyes narrowing, Ben burst out in laughter of derision, anger, and exasperation. Which isnt surprising when I think about it. I shouldnt have taken anything she said at face value no wonder she asked more details about the Omniversal war.
I wonder if she saw through my bullshit long speech about wanting everyone to be free.
Thinking about that, didnt Gwen say
Several days ago After Bens speech
Gwen seemed lost in deep consideration. I see I believe in what you said.
Why didnt she just say she understood what I meant? Instead, she carefully chose to say she believed in what I said
Actually, Ben hadnt lied about what he felt in his speech; the only deception might have been how devoted he appeared when making it.
Telling someone Im fucking bored as justification to participate in a war was far from ideal.
Since the beginning of the summer holiday, Ben had been bored, very, very, very bored. The Omnitrix changed that; the feeling he experienced when he burned the forest as Heatblast was godly. Watching the Ben 10 saga while knowing everything the Omnitrix could do was beyond satisfying.
So, the whole freedom camp was obviously his enemy. It was one thing to follow a path, but another when the path was rigged that would be boring, even if he were the one doing the rigging.
But does magic exist to begin with? Yes! The only proof of magics existence that I have is the description of Snare-oh.
Mummy composed of mystical bandages. Complete control over bandage manipulation. Not indestructible but very resistant against anything not sharp, can regenerate.
Capable of using magic should you prove competent enough.
So magic exists and Gwen has some explaining to do when I rescue her He concluded.
Since Gwen is the most likely to die soon, I should prioritize her but without having any counter against magic or at least some basic understanding? Stupid He scratched his head.
If only If only I had an annoying cousin who knew about magic He rolled his eyes, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
I dont even know how to find her or if shes even kidnapped to begin with. As far as I know, she isnt trustworthy and neither is Grandpa now.
Thinking about it, what about Phil, Blukic, and Driba?!
The more he thought, the more annoyed and tired he became.
Lets think about it tomorrow. His eyelids grew heavier, yet a thought stopped him from falling asleep.
Even if I rescue them then what? What should I do next? I should plan ahead.
He opened the Omnitrix menu to check the notifications as usual, intending to close it immediately, but this time a new alert caught his attention.
? Notification (1 new notification)
Ben clicked on it and read the notice about the war.
The day He stood up painfully, exhausted but unwilling to rest. COULDNT BE ANY WORSE!!! His voice echoed through the forest as he stumbled forward.
Not only were several disasters both used and unused plots from the Prime universe happening simultaneously, but the number of participating slots was far higher than 10. This meant having allies would be crucial, especially considering theyd have to collaborate with all participants regardless of their camp in the Multiversal war, only to become enemies in the Omniversal war.
But currently, a certain detail infuriated him. The location of the Omnitrix was being displayed to all participants throughout the universe!
AI! What kind of crap is that?! He shouted at the Omnitrix. No voice answered him. Of course, it wouldnt. It would be too convenient if it answered.
He gritted his teeth.
If the position of the Omnitrix is displayed, then is it the Omnitrix sharing its position with a signal? Or is some celestial power tracking the Omnitrix? Ben paused, reflecting how since the beginning, the whole thing with the war AI had been both convenient and inconvenient. For example, the protection against anything that Azmuth, his assistants, and anyone else could do to the Omnitrix was convenient.
Then there were the tweaks basically additions and modifications to the Omnitrixs functions. With the new OS, there was no master control or hidden functions, only these tweaks to unlock.
Like rewards in a game He frowned, he should have put more thought into it.
The last and only tweak hed received was the life equation mode switch. Since then, nothing which made sense, since he hadnt achieved anything particularly noteworthy. Even surviving Nemesis wasnt a great achievement, and the tweak hed received then had been purely practical for his situation: being able to use Snare-Ohs or another aliens regenerative abilities to heal.
That tweak it wasnt about reward or achievement, was it? It was just more marketable to have me whole instead of being a quadruple amputee.
Everything follows such a natural progression like a game or a book He gritted his teeth harder, making some small parts go away. Am I just being controlled right now?
THE WHOLE POINT OF THIS WAR IS TO NOT BE CONTROLLED! He yelled at the Omnitrix, though uncertainty lurked beneath his outburst. Did he really care? At least it was entertaining.
His thought was cut short.
[Shut your mouth, you little shit.] The voice was no longer robotic it belonged neither to man nor woman, ethereal yet furious.
Ben froze, unknowingly obeying the voice. He hadnt expected an answer, much less this level of violence. This isnt the usual voice.
[How are you even alive? And this Omnitrix not destroyed as a result?] The entity seemed to be thinking aloud, searching for answers rather than expecting Bens response.
I just kicked Kevins ass, nothing complicated. Ben frowned, looking at the Omnitrix. I havent mastered my transformations yet, but the priority now is the Omnitrix itself.
[Not that At Mt. Rushmore You were meant to perish pathetically unconscious.] The voice ignored Ben, speaking to him yet not addressing him.
What the fuck are you talking about?! His face reddened.
[Its due to the clown? No, he changed nothing I see The events at Mt. Rushmore were altered due to the notification coming sooner. The clown manipulated me? No, he couldnt predict that Or maybe he knew his presence alone would make me unknowingly change the past Death was too merciful an end for him!]
13. Ten slots for killing the Clown, Joker. (Completed)
Location: Main Dimension Earth
Whoever possesses these slots will enjoy total immunity.
[Ben Tennyson of Universe 9 of this multiverse. You are somehow alive now, but your actions will amount to nothing, and trying to resist is nothing but a beautiful delusion! So what if you are a Wildcard now?!]
What the
Notice update
Missions
1. 12 slots for wielding the Omnitrix. (Completed)
Location: Main Dimension Earth
These slots will transfer to anyone who obtains the Omnitrix.
One extra slot will be available for anyone who:
Builds an Omnitrix and a -trix variant.
Wields an Omnitrix and a -trix variant.
Note: The death of a host may or may not destroy his -trix.
12?! Ben processed the information, while sweating. Im talking to the famous entity that wants to control all free will? Are you even allowed to interfere this much, or is this whole war just some staged entertainment for you?
[I can and I will, I already w????????o?????????n????????????.]
A new voice cut through ethereal and neutral, distinctly different from the first. [Just pretend nothing happened, Ben Tennyson. By the way, this is a common occurrence throughout the Omniverse. Dont feel special; you are no chosen one.]
[Still do your best. Whatever path you choose]
What the hell are you talking about?!! Ben received no answer. Checking his Omnitrix, he found a new notification:
[The war AI has been purged from your Omnitrix. Youll no longer receive new tweaks, but nothing stops you from coding the Omnitrix yourself as quickly as possible.]
[Also, before it could be prevented, most life signatures were deleted, leaving you with your current 10 transformations and coincidentally 10 others to unlock.]
[20 / 13004490]
[(0.00015379% remaining)]
[Update]
[20/20]
[(100% remaining)]
[You can still add new aliens to fill the gap. (You can connect to Primus to recover the alien data, but this carries risks)]
He sighed, fighting back tears at seeing his number of transformations so drastically reduced. It was as if someone had coded a good game he was currently playing to make it worse like many online games.
Wait, no. It wasnt a game despite being really entertaining.
He shook his head, focusing on what mattered. Even without reading the text, Ben knew his priority now was controlling the Omnitrix, creating new tweaks (essentially writing programs to utilize the Omnitrixs hardware (materials) capabilities like creating sound recording software for a computer with an unused microphone, though tweaks sounded cooler), and hopefully unlocking the Master Control (enabling unlimited transformation time and thought-based switching).
Recovering the alien data? No. Whoever controlled Primus Azmuths planetary life signature database could control the Omnitrix, making even a brief connection too risky.
Better than nothing since I was supposed to die pathetically Was that even true?! Anyway, the priority now is taking full control of the Omnitrix. The task wouldnt be simple; despite Brainstorms intellect, the alien still needed knowledge, and there was the time limit. Obviously, Omnitrix manuals werent just lying around on the internet.
Gwen and Grandpa Max can wait or die, I guess. The thought of them only brought him annoyance. None of them had been honest with each other, but Bens only deception was about his true feelings. Hed been truthful about everything else, so he didnt consider himself much of a liar at least compared to Gwen and Max.
Not that he wanted them dead, of course but they werent the main priority. In the end, they were just linked by blood, nothing more sentimental. However, if it had been his parents, despite Ben not really liking them as individuals or as parents, they would have been his priority.
Now he was excited; finally, he could focus on what really mattered the Omnitrix itself.
The training sessions at Mt. Rushmore had provided him a solid grasp of combat abilities for nearly each transformation. Among the arsenal of 10 alien forms, only one remained an enigma the last one. This mysterious transformation possessed a single apparent ability: generating shining purple armless smoke. The clouds, however, proved useless even as cover, lacking the density needed for concealment.
Testing the smoke on birds and insects yielded no results (human trials remained off-limits, though the outcome would likely be the same). Despite these failures, his instinct suggested a hidden potential within this form some undiscovered condition to trigger its power.
Ill figure that out later. Right now, the Omnitrixs functions demanded his full attention.
Ben Tennyson. A voice cut through his thoughts. With no immediate attack following, Ben turned, maintaining caution despite not bothering to raise his guard the Omnitrixs red cooldown glow and his battered state made that pointless.
Psyphon, how are you? Ben smiled like greeting an old friend. Before him stood Psyphon a skeletal-like alien with black and white coloring, wearing a black armored dress uniform, a sharp fin at the top of his head. His blurry vision made Psyphon even more abstract and terrifying in his mind, but he didnt show it.
Psyphons gaze moved from Ben to the Omnitrix, now emitting red light instead of its usual green.
Its nostalgic. We first met in a forest. Ben continued his shameless smile. Youve recovered nicely since last time. I didnt mean to burn you that badly, but hey not a single burn remain. So I guess everything that happened no longer matters, right?
He gestured to his own charred flesh. See? Now Im the one whos burned. That makes us even. Practically best friends, wouldnt you say?
Psyphons gaze alternated between Ben and the red-glowing Omnitrix.
One small detail worth mentioning: Psyphon happened to be the number one and only servant of Vilgax who, coincidentally, might have a slight interest in acquiring the Omnitrix.
Chapter 24 – Interlude (1-3) - A business proposal
Anyway, do your worst. Ben dropped the friendly act with a shrug. Despite his exhaustion, his legs remained ready for a sprint the forests darkness might help him escape, however the chances were low.
The night air carried only insect sounds and distant sirens, echoes of the consequence of Kevins rampage through the town quarter. Though limited in scope, the damage and death toll spoke volumes.
In this eerie tension and his position of weakness, Psyphons sudden bow was unexpected.
I come on behalf of my master to propose a partnership.
Partnership? Bens voice mixed disbelief with caution, his muscles still tensed for the run of his life. What Vilgax was actually serious about being allies?
Yes. Psyphon nodded.
What kind of partnership exactly? Ben observed Psyphon carefully, half-expecting him to shout : Just kidding, you fool! Drones, attack! When I capture you, I will be the one to wonder if fire burns!
Psyphons response came with practiced precision. I dont fully understand myself, but in short, you help each other with mutual benefits. Nothing long-term for now.
Psyphon continued as he displayed a hologram.
For example, he can extend this offer:
- 50 fully armed spaceships
Measurement
Length: 125 meters (410 feet)
Width 45 meters (147.6 feet)
Height : 25 meters (82 feet)
Laser Systems:
Power output: 100 kilowatts (134.1 mechanical horsepower)
Range: 1C5 kilometers effective range (0.62-3.1 miles)
Beam width: 0.5-2 meters (1.64-6.56 feet) at point of impact
Missiles (Biologic, are continually generated)
Power outputblablabla
Bens eyelids grew heavy as Psyphon droned on about technical specifications. He forced them open, fighting against his need for sleep. Cant you shorten this? His exhaustion had stripped away any pretense of respect for Vilgaxs servant.
Psyphon eyed Ben, his fist tightening, then began again as if he hadnt been interrupted.
for example, he can extend this offer:
- 50 fully armed spaceships
- 1000 drones
- 200 androids
All with a slot-back guarantee.
Ben jolted awake, ignoring the bizarre guarantee clause. So with 8 slots, thats 400 ships, 8000 drones, and 1600 androids? His frown deepened with each number.
Psyphon nodded, his skeletal-like features somehow conveying satisfaction. Exactly. You can also request personalized services, for which I will set the price.
How many weapons does Vilgax have?! He doesnt even need to capture me himself I dont like it. Ben fought back a yawn, the multiple transformations and constant strategic thinking taking their toll. But wheres the trap? Its just words in the end.
Im open to a mutually beneficial partnership, but Im not interested in purchasing anything now. Pain shot through Bens body as he attempted a polite bow, forcing him to straighten quickly.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Of course. Psyphons tone remained measured. You currently have only one non-transferable slot except if I take your Omnitrix as Vilgax informed me. This is merely an offer for future consideration.
Ben pondered. Vilgax should know about my 11 new transferable slots
I guess Vilgax is quite busy. Ben casually mused aloud. Funny, Ive never even seen his face.
Psyphons red eyes flared brighter. The seemingly innocent comment carried a clear insult Ben was calling Vilgax a coward while feigning ignorance and fishing for information.
Yet the servant might have missed Bens subtle probe or perhaps he noticed but couldnt maintain his diplomatic facade. To Psyphon, Vilgax wasnt merely a master but a deity incarnate. Bens casual disrespect was tantamount to blasphemy, and even years of diplomatic experience couldnt fully suppress his rage at such sacrilege.
My master is currently occupied. Each word came through clenched teeth, though the skeleton-like alien maintained his neutral tone. He needed to leave soon his masters orders to remain diplomatic clashed with his growing anger. I wonder why my master No. I shouldnt question his wisdom.
Ben sighed.
Great And Vilgax might be on Earth plotting wait A new thought made Ben frown. Then how did you find me?
The contradiction hit him Psyphon wasnt a participant, only Vilgax was, so tracking Ben should have been impossible. Is Vilgax really that injured from his space fight? Or is he that scared of me?
I thought both my master and you had some form of omniscient knowledge Psyphons head tilted slightly. I suppose I could tell you for one slot in the future.
No, its fine. Bens dismissal came quick and firm. Letting someone outside his control hold any leverage over his fate? Not a chance. As long as he had options, that one wasnt even worth considering.
In the saga, Vilgax could track the Omnitrix across the universe whenever its user transformed, and he possessed technology to remove it from its host despite having no confirmed contact with Azmuth in the series. Is it the same in my universe? Why does tracking me seem so simple?!
Unknown to Ben, multiple methods were used to locate him. Dr. Animos beasts tracked him by scent, while This person used other means for Nemesis.
Or maybe Psyphons lying and his master is just scared to hear my name. A chuckle escaped Ben Vilgax was starting to seem like an overhyped antagonist revealing himself to be a jobber.
I see. Psyphon studied Ben, some deep instinct telling him his master had been insulted, but with nothing explicit said, his anger remained contained. Take this it contains my contact information.
He handed over a device resembling a phone, though with more physical buttons than touchscreen features and clearly more advanced technology. Despite being in cooldown, the Omnitrix translated everything Ben saw and heard perfectly, requiring no language settings changes assuming it even had English as an option, which he doubted.
Thanks. Ben smiled. Another project for Brainstorm making sure this gift isnt monitoring my every move.
Psyphon gave a final nod before vanishing in a flash of light, the teleportation circle whisking him back to Vilgaxs ship.
Those teleportation circles, though Something to investigate later.
I could have negotiated for a really strong and efficient spaceship one slot for a secure base that can travel through space mightve been worth considering Ben dismissed the thought immediately.
That would be risky. Even though Brainstorm should master any piloting manual with a simple glance, his constantly displayed position meant any magic user and those with high teleportation technology could simply teleport in to capture and kill him (Ben assumed so), making the whole spaceship defense system pointless and for now he had no reason to leave Earth.
And if he kept the ship in orbit, anyone capable would easily shoot it down starting with Vilgax if he decided the Omnitrix and partnership werent worth having anymore and the latter wouldnt even have to shoot him down if he left something in the spaceship to remotely destroy it (being smart with Brainstorm didnt mean noticing every last detail even with knowledge).
The first and only current priority was to fix his localization problem. He didnt have anywhere safe enough on Earth and the universe to have as a base.
Well maybe Mt. Rushmore in the past but obviously it was compromised and he couldnt even have done something about it. But I should check this place when I have the time to understand what happened.
The forest seemed darker as Ben made his way through it, each step a fight against his body falling down. When the Omnitrix finally turned green, healing his physical wounds brought welcome relief though the mental exhaustion lingered like a heavy fog.
A hotels neon sign beckoned ahead. Not the most secure option, but he was the Omnitrix wielder anyone foolish enough to attack would need extensive planning or at least thorough reconnaissance to check for potential traps or hidden alarms. That thought alone should buy him enough peace to sleep probably, he couldnt think any longer.
Better than sleeping outside or pushing himself past exhaustion.
Notice [Not a chapter]
[10.01.2025]
Hey everyone!
After reviewing the analytics through all the platforms Im publishing on, Ive noticed readership tends to drop after the first few chapters. As part of my ongoing writing journey, Im planning some refinements to make the story more engaging. The changes will be focused but impactful:
- Streamlining descriptions while keeping the essential vivid details
- Enhancing Bens introduction as a character from the start, the Omnitrix as something more than a plot device from the start, and better highlighting the wars impact rather than just something is happening from the start.
- The Omniversal Index chapters are staying for now, though this might change based on how they serve the story, despite that I didnt add any of them for decorationTaken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
I can more or less understand why I received a comment Least Intense Ben 10 Fanfic
Im currently balancing this project with other commitments, so Im looking at late January or early February for completion in addition to the 2 last interlude chapters.
Im a long-term reader of years, but as the writer, I cant easily notice my own flaws and areas for improvement without other perspectives. Being transparent - the writing and revision process has been slower than ideal. While Im learning a lot from writing resources, theres nothing quite like reader insights to help shape a better story.
For those following along, your thoughts on what works (or doesnt) would be incredibly valuable for my current revision and the future chapters. Im committed to delivering the best possible story as far as I can, and your experience as readers is a crucial part of that journey.
Looking forward to sharing the improved version with you all!
(This time the chapters are only getting modified, their numbers wont change and you will only receive notifications for the two interlude chapters. And this notice will be deleted after.)