Summary
(Takes place after Alien force. An alternate Universe to Ultimate Alien due to the limit on episodes. Slight Crossover with Ohranger/Power Rangers Zeo)
Ben thought that after the DNAliens were defeated, the world was saved from invasion. After he defeated Vilgax and obtained the Omnitrix, he thought all his major problems were over. Boy was he wrong! A new faction of invaders have come to earth: The Machine Empire Baronoia. Led by Emperor Bacchusfundo and the Royal House of Gadgetry they are a cruel race of machines that have conquered many galaxies. Now Earth is next. Can Ben and his companions stop them even when their fight causes him to step into the public view? Or will he be crushed by the cold iron grip of these new foes?
Disclaimer: I don't own Ben 10 and/or Ben 10: Alien Force and/or Ben 10: Ultimate Alien and/or any and/or all concepts and/or characters. They are copyrighted to Man of Action and Cartoon Network Studios. I also don't own Power Rangers or Ohranger from the Super Sentai series. I Think Saban owns it, but last I heard was that they went out of business. Let's just assume that Disney, 4kids, or some other corporate empire owns them and not me.
"I do, however, reserve the right to claim Klank and Orbus as my robot minions considering that I hired them after Zeo and Ohranger ended. But I don't own the shows they appear in. Just wanted to make that perfectly clear! Enjoy!"
-Count Kulalu-
Prologue
"All hands! We are about to make an emergency landing! I repeat! All hands abandon ship!" Gwen shouted through the ship's speakers. It did little to help with the impact from the ship entering the ocean. It sank deeper and deeper towards the dark underwater cliffs. The pressure from such a depth caused a rupture in the hull which allowed water to flow in. The incoming water flow woke up an unconscious Kevin who noticed Ben in his Ultimate Swampfire form getting knocked down.
"We're taking on a lot of water." Kevin said to Ben.
"Get Gwen and Grandpa and go. I'll handle Vilgax." Ben said as he slowly got up in Kevin hesitated for a moment then turned around to do as he was told. Ben went the other way to finish the fight with Vilgax.
"It's over Vilgax! Give up!" Ben shouted as he charged up another blue flame attack.
"Never! You may think you have beaten me in this limited form of mine, but witness the true power of Vilgax!" His form suddenly bulged and shifted as he started his transformation. His head grew bigger and his tentacles shifted downward as they grew. When it was all over, what was once Vilgax became a giant octopus-like monster.
"Man, and I thought you looked ugly before."
"RAWR!"
"Oh cra-"
-Boom-
Ben didn't have any time to think of a retort as the ship finally collapsed around him. The newly transformed Vilgax slammed into him and sent them both into the deep. Ben struggled as Vilgax wrapped his tentacles around him and started to squeeze. It didn't help that he was a fire alien in the ocean blue.
"Blue…wait a minute!" Ben suddenly got an idea. "Hope this works."
He suddenly focused all the power he had towards his inner fire. With enough energy gathered, he grew hot enough to set himself on fire with Ultimate Swampfire's blue flame. He was so hot, that he could boil the sea which was more than enough to force Vilgax to let go off him. The steam bubbles were rolling off the charred remains off his tentacles. Unfortunately, this only angered Vilgax even more.
"Great. Even when he's a squid, he doesn't go down. Where's a Deus Ex Machina when you need one?" As if I higher power were listening in on the inner monologue, the remains of the Omnitrix floated down in front of Ben's face. They flickered with green electricity that he could sense as if he was drawn to it.
"That'll work."
He grabbed the remains as the power flowed through him. Whatever energy that once powered the alien device was now being added to his ultimate form. Ben immediately burst into blue flames until he was like a comet underwater.
"So much power…gathering…"
Despite his injuries, Vilgax was not willing to give Ben a chance to do whatever it was he was trying to do. He charged right at him, only to be burned again by the blue flames coating him. Ben took advantage of Vilgax's momentary weakness and started to focus all of his energy into his right hand. It started to form into the shape and size of a baseball.
"Sure hope this works." He raised his hand higher as it started to grow to the size of a beach ball. Then it grew to the size of a boulder. In a matter of minutes, what was a ball of energy was now a gigantic sphere of power. And it was aimed at Vilgax and his submerged ship.
"Take THIS!" Ben threw the titanic sphere at Vilgax. He didn't need to aim even with Vilgax's feeble attempts to dodge because the impact of it hitting the ship caused its fusion reactors to explode.
"NOOOOOOO!" Vilgax cried as he tried to escape the blast, only to get the full impact of what could be equivalent to 2 (maybe 3) nuclear bombs going off within an arm's reach of him.
There was a massive explosion that caused intense waves to form on the ocean's surface. From above, Gwen, Kevin, and Grandpa Max looked on in worry. Their fears were put to rest as Jetray burst out of the water and flew to them. He landed in the bubble Gwen made and reverted back to his regular form.
"Huff…huff…that takes care of him." He said with a smile. He then pumped the fist with the new Ultimatrix into the air. "Another day the Earth is saved. And it's all thanks to Ben Tennyson!"
"…and that's how I got the Ultimatrix, defeated Vilgax, and saved the world. It was no challenge for the Defender of the Galaxy: Ben Tennyson!" Ben finished his story. He did a heroic pose with his smoothie held high. Behind him, Gwen and Kevin nodded their heads in disagreement while Julie clapped her hands. All four of them were at Mr. Smoothies, enjoying their frozen treats.
"So you're saying that you somehow used the remains of the destroyed Omnitrix to power you up as Ultimate Swampfire to do a spirit bomb that took out Vilgax and his ship after we got off board?" Kevin asked skeptically. He was leaning back lazily against the table.
"Seriously, Ben, do you seriously think we'll believe that? And we were there!" Gwen practically shouted. She sat next to Kevin and agreed with his statement. But she was more annoyed with the fact that Ben downplayed their roles in the story.
"Well, I thought it was good." Julie said after taking a sip. She was sitting on the bench across from Kevin and Gwen. She knew that Ben tended to exaggerate details in his retellings of his adventures. This story was such an exception, but she still found it funny how creative Ben could be with his 'creative liberties'.
"Of course you would. You didn't have to fight Vilgax and his army of Omnitrix Copy Biloids." Kevin replied.
"Well, I may have not been there to help, but you have to admit that Ben was pretty brave to fight Vilgax and Albedo as powerless as he was at the time." Julie argued back.
"Fine, I'll give him that. But you can't seriously think he could actually do a spirit bomb."
"Hey! I'm pretty sure I can too. I mean, with so many aliens that I can become, odds are one of them can do a spirit bomb." Ben said while taking a seat next to Julie.
"Whatever you say, Goku." Kevin smirked back.
Gwen was getting annoyed with the direction the conversation was going. "Enough with the spirit bomb already. It's getting old."
"Gwen's just jealous that she couldn't do a spirit bomb." Ben whispered to Julie, getting a giggle out of her. Unfortunately, Gwen overheard them.
"For your information, Ben, a spirit bomb is a concentration of an extremely large amount of mana that's compacted into a single attack. Meaning that I'm more likely to be able to use one than you are."
"Wanna bet?" Ben pounded his hands on the table as he leaned in.
"Fine. What's the bet?" Gwen leaned in to match his stare.
"Loser pays for all our smoothies for a month."
"Deal." They shook on it.
"You realize that she has a major head start, right." Julie said with a clever smile. Ben matched it with one of his own.
"Julie, if there's one thing I've learned in all my years of being a hero and a mediocre student is that you sometimes do better under pressure."
Yep, just another ordinary day in the life of Ben Tennyson. Nothing could spoil this moment.
Primus. To the astronomers, this is a planet capable of supporting life. To biologists, it is a basin for life in the universe. To a certain Galvan who is the smartest being in three galaxies (arguably 5) it is the result of years of hard work.
Azmuth and his assistant, Myaxx were busy overlooking the planet-like device to make sure it was in perfect working order. Since the original Omnitrix was destroyed, they feared that Primus would suffer some terrible malfunctions. Fortunately, things were going well and that the DNA database was adjusting to the new Ultimatrix. It seemed as if everything was fine and they had nothing to worry about. All they had to do now was monitor the flow and content of the DNA Stream and then they were done.
"Hello, Azmuth. How are you?" Speak of the Devil. It looks like trouble will find a way to upset him today after all.
"I'm fine, Paradox. Why do you ask?" Azmuth didn't turn around, but continued to oversee Myaxx monitoring the DNA Stream from his spot on her shoulder.
"Well, I recall that the last time we met here was after you got into quite the skirmish with Vilgax." Professor Paradox said with a smile. He knew how much that riled up the Omnitrix's creator. It certainly got Azmuth's attention because he jumped off his assistant's shoulder to offer a retort.
"If I were just a few years younger, I would have easily taken out that squid faced barbarian." He pointed his cane at Paradox.
"Hey!" Myaxx protested.
"No offense to present company, of course. But as I said, if only I was a few years younger." He wistfully looked towards the stars. Despite the fact that he occasionally had to move Primus, looking at the stars seemed to be the only constant. Yet, with all the years he's lived, he knows it is just an illusion and even the stars fade over time.
"Yes…time does have that quality of taking away from us bit by bit. Old age comes at us as possibly the most unstoppable force of nature." Paradox sighed while gazing at his pocket watch.
"This coming from the man who is the master of it?" Myaxx joked.
"Well, as the old Earth song goes: 'Time is one my side'." He smiled as he closed his watch. Though, if you looked closely, you could see that it was slightly forced.
"Is there something you wished to tell me, Paradox? It's not every day that you come to see me as a simple social call." Azmuth just wanted to get to the point of Paradox's visit. He may be friends with this human master of time, but he knew when the man had a reason for seeing him.
"I'm afraid I have a bit of bad news. It involves a certain group of machines that are beyond the grasp of old age." Paradox started.
"Beyond the grasp…!"
"Ah! So you do know what I am speaking of."
"….The Eternal Gears….I thought that they were galaxies and centuries away…"
"Well, I hate to inform you that they have grown in power and efficiency over the years. They are years ahead of our estimates. And now it appears that they are ready to accomplish their ultimate goal."
Azmuth pondered the meaning of his words. If this meant what he thought it meant, then things were going to get a lot worse.
"How much time do we have?" The Galvan asked the time professor as he was leaving.
"I'm afraid that we are already too late, Azmuth. They have reached the point where even I cannot interfere." And with that said, he vanished in a flash of blue light and was gone. Azmuth stood there in contemplation for a moment, then turned around to start heading towards his ship.
"What's going on Azmuth?" Myaxx asked. She only saw that determined look on his face in the direst of circumstances.
"Pack your things, Myaxx. We're leaving." He curtly replied to his assistant.
"Well, can you at least tell me the where and why?" Myaxx asked as she gathered her lab equipment.
"We are heading to Earth and as for why…it's because a powerful force from across the universe is about to make first contact with the earthlings." Azmuth was determined to reach his ship without delay.
"Isn't it time for the Earthlings to know that they are not alone in the universe?"
"No!" He turned and shouted at her face. Myaxx flinched. Even if he was small, Azmuth could really shout out. He took a deep breath to calm down. "Not like this. They are still too young. They need centuries to develop the technology necessary to battle this incoming invasion."
"Invasion? From who?" Now Myaxx was worried. It sounded like this invasion force was on a danger level equal to Vilgax.
"The force that will invade the Earth is unlike anything they have ever faced. They are able to adapt themselves to counter a planet's defenses. They purge the planets of all useable resources to use for their own means. They are immortal and eternal for their bodies are replaceable and immune to the strain of time. They are known throughout galaxies by many names: The Eternal Gears, The Conquering Cogs, and most commonly, the Baronoia." He said with great seriousness like he was addressing the boogieman. Only this nightmare was real and now coming to get Earth.
"You mean…?" She shivered a bit as they finally reached the ship. Azmuth only nodded his head to confirm her fears.
"Yes…the planet Earth is about to be invaded by the Machine Empire." He hung his head solemnly. The words he retorted to Professor Paradox were repeating in his head.
"I doubt that even if I was centuries younger, I would be ready for this. HIS return…"
Earth. In space it looks quite majestic. From a view among the stars, no one can see the problems, hazards, and conflicts its people face every day. From up above it looks unified, not divided by maters of race, religion, politics, and ideals.
Unfortunately, it also appears primitive, weak, and defenseless especially to those races of the universe with a much darker nature.
From the dark reaches of space, ships were arriving to Earth's orbit. They were massive ships that had the appearance of giant gears for they spun around in eternal motion. Just by looking at them, you could hear the grinding sound of machines at work. Flying with them were smaller fighter ships. They had four main cannons and looked quite spiderlike.
They were all gathering on the moon. On the surface, a massive fortress was constructed there. It was a factory like setting with many pipes and smokestacks. Many worker machines moved about to do their duties. Some were in converted fighter ships that moved like metal daddy longlegs. From another's perspective (probably due to all the fire and smoke coming off the machines) it looked like a metal hell.
However, a great gathering of soldier machines was taking place in front of a hill like crater. On top of it was a grand castle. It had a massive gear spinning on it to show how much power the individuals that resided in it had. As a symbol of things to come, the castle had a grand view of the planet Earth behind it.
"At last! Earth. The prime jewel of the Milky Way. Why…it's just as disgusting as when I left it!" said the King of the castle. He was a sage looking machine with a revolving gear-like crown and staff. He had a massive gear on his back that was constantly in motion. As he stood in his throne room, it could be seen that cogs and gears moved about the walls and that a balcony was in front of him with the Earth in view. And a grand view it was for Emperor Bacchusfundo, Head of the Royal House of Gadgetry and leader of the Machine Empire Baronoia.
"Well, dearest, you did not expect for it to get better after all the time we have been gone?" Said his Queen. She was a feminine looking robot with a golden body, silk dress, and metal fan that she would wave around. Her silver hair was carved into her like a statue. She had a purple monocle over her right eye and painted lips. However, her mouth would open and close like a ventriloquist dummy to reveal sharp teeth. This iron maiden was known as Empress Hysteria.
"Yeah, dad, it's not like it could have gotten better without us there to fix it." This came from the smallest of the three. He really was a metal version of a young child. He had a crown on his head and a cape that was longer than he was tall. Just by looking at him, you got the feeling that he was a spoiled prince. This spoiled prince happened to be known as Prince Buldont.
Walking up to these three members of Machine Royalty were two servants. Well, technically only one of them was walking while the much smaller one was riding on his shoulder like a parrot. The taller one was made of copper, gold, and silver colored metals that checkered his body and face in reverse order. He was a humanoid version of a robot and looked the part of a robot butler. The smaller one looked like a puppet and was made up of white, black, and gold colored metals that divided and reversed on his body as well. Together, they were the butlers Klank Acha, and Orbus Kocha.
"Emperor Bacchusfundo, two years have passed since we started our project." Klank bowed, making note to not let Orbus fall off his shoulder. "We're nearly ready to conquer Earth. Our Baronoia Empire Force is excellent, there's nothing that can block us from victory! That is because of the Empire's excellent daily work! We are near to victory! "
"Yep! Victory is ours!" Orbus said excitedly, moving about as he spoke.
"Ok, then! Attack them now!" Buldont commanded. Klank was about to give the send off, but Bacchusfundo made a motion for him to belay that order.
"Easy there, son. We have much to do to get ready still."
"But-"Buldont was about to protest, but his mother interrupted him.
"Your father is right, Buldont. It is best that we don't rush. It would take all the joy out of utterly crushing them after all." Hysteria moved her folded fan in a lecturing manner.
"Precisely, Hysteria, my dear. While it would be enjoyable to see these 'humans' run while we wipe them out, I am more curious of these rumors that have been spreading around the planet."
"Rumors, dad?" The young robot asked as he walked with his parents toward the cog with the viewing screen. It showed different parts of the Earth with people going about their daily business.
"Yes, Buldont, for you see on this planet there are tales of certain alien races appearing to help the populous when certain situations show up." He motioned his staff over the screen and caused different recordings of aliens helping the people of Earth to appear.
"Well, they all seem tough, but I'm sure they are nothing we can't handle." Buldont replied excitedly.
"Well of course, but that's not the point. Look closely at all of them." The young machine prince took a closer look at all the aliens. As they moved, he noticed that somewhere on their body they had a symbol that he never seen before.
"They all have that funny symbol on them. What does that mean?"
"It means that somewhere on Earth there is an individual who has the Omnitrix. One of the most coveted pieces of technology is on this pitiful planet and it's ours for the taking. Just imagine what we could accomplish if we were to obtain it." He moved towards the grand view of the Earth as he said this. His wife and son followed him to the balcony to get a glimpse of the view as well.
"Like what?"
Bacchusfundo was about to reply, but Klank had something to address. "I apologize for interrupting your enlightening conversation, Emperor, but what are your orders?"
"The situation has not changed. Omnitrix or not, we will still move on as planned. However, I want to make a slight change. Instead of moving towards the center of their most technological advancements, I want to move our first strike force to where the Omnitrix is rumored to be."
"Are you certain, your Excellency? From our intelligence gatherings, it's just a simple residential area for the humans."
"Yes I am quite sure. Send a small attack force to test their might. When they think they have won, send out the ships. Then they shall see the true might of The Machine Empire."
"As you command it, your Excellency." Klank bowed with Orbus still on his shoulder.
"You order it, you got it." Orbus quipped as he bowed his little head.
The Baronoia would finally make their move to invade a totally unprepared Earth. For them, it seemed victory was only moments away. Just another name on the list of planets they had already conquered.
It looks like the Earth is about to be faced with another dangerous threat. Will its defenders be strong enough to deal with it? Find out next time on Ben 10: Rise of Baronoia.
