Chapter 2

Ben pondered as he walked along with Katara to the village. He has only been here for half a day at most and he has already caused trouble. Usually he would shrug it off because trouble always seemed to follow him. This was different. If what Katara said was true, then he may have accidentally attracted an evil force to the innocent. Of course the chances of that happening are really slim but the universe does love to play jokes on him.

They got towards the village and immediately saw faces of anger, especially from a teenage boy. Ben assumed that this was Sokka, Katara's older brother. The look on his face was the opposite Katara's when they first meet. Ben suspected that this will not go over well.

Sokka: "Katara, get away from him!"

Katara: "He's not dangerous Sokka!"

Sokka: "He's not dangerous?! He signaled the Fire Nation Navy with that flare! Don't you see Katara? He's leading the Fire Nation straight towards our village!"

Katara: "Ben didn't do anything! It was an accident."

Ben: "Look, I know you look at me as some sort of threat but I promise that I didn't signal the Fire Nation. We were on the ship and I accidentally activated a booby trap."

Kanna: "Katara, you shouldn't have gone on the ship! Now we could all be in danger!"

Ben stepped in front of Katara to defend her from their claims.

Ben: "Don't blame Katara. I was the one who decided we should go into the ship. If anyone to blame, it's me."

Sokka: "Aha! The traitor confesses!"

Ben: "I am not a traitor! Why would I purposely put the people who took me in danger?"

Sokka: "Purposefully or not, you have endangered our village. The foreigner is banished from our village."

Katara: "You can't do that! Sokka, you're making a big mistake!"

Sokka: "No, I'm keeping my promise to Dad. I'm protecting you, Gran-Gran and the rest of us from threats like him!"

Ben: "Dude, I am not your enemy. Besides, if there is a Fire Nation Navy heading over here, I can help protect you."

Katara: "He's right! Please Sokka just…"

Sokka: "If you really want to protect us, get out of our village! Now!"

Katara: "Grandmother, please. You can't let Sokka do this."

Kanna: Katara, you knew going on that ship was forbidden. Sokka is right. I think it best if Ben leaves."

Katara: "But where is he going to go? He'll die out here without us!"

Sokka: "Not our problem."

Ben decided to step and placed his hand on Katara with a sad smile.

Ben: "Look Katara, I appreciate you defending and all, but I don't want to become a monkey wrench in your family. It's best if I go somewhere far from here."

Katara: "But where will you even go? You don't even have a boat."

Ben: "I dunno. I could use some parts of that abandoned ship to make something travel worthy. I'll be out your hair by the end of the day."

Sokka: "Good."

Katara: "So this is goodbye?"

Ben: "I guess it is. I hope you become a great waterbender one day. Also, thanks for the advice. You really helped me gain some perspective. Goodbye Katara."

Ben smiled and waved at her and began walking towards the abandoned probably to salvage some parts. Ben's figure eventually disappeared. All the women and children dispersed as they went back. Kanna walked up to Katara trying to console her granddaughter.

Kanna: "Katara, you'll feel better after you…"

Katara turned around, obviously furious at the village's decision.

Katara: "You happy now? The only person around my age that isn't Sokka to talk with is now gone."

Sokka: "What's so special about that guy anyway? He doesn't look like a warrior."

Katara: "You won't believe the things he can do."

Sokka: "Yeah? Like what?"

Katara: "He's a shapeshifter. I saw him turn into a blue monkey and a giant beetle using a device on his wrist."

Sokka: "Ha! Sure and I can turn into an elephant seal."

Katara huffed and marched away from Sokka and Kanna. Sokka too marched away to go and coach the young boys to prepare for the upcoming battle.

Sokka: "All right, ready our defenses! The Fire Nation could be on our shores any moment now!"

Boy: "But I gotta…"

Sokka: "And no potty breaks!"

Ben: "You're the only thing for miles to get me outta here. Time to get to work, I guess."

Ben looked at the old Fire Nation ship. It looked very old and primitive. Warships back in Ben's world were far more advanced than this. The ship would suffice to get out of the South Pole and go somewhere with a more pleasant weather.

Ben activated his Omnitrix and he began selecting his transformation. When he saw the face icon he wanted, the interface slide away and the Omnitrix core popped up and Ben smacked it, disappearing in a flash of green light.

In his place was a crimson red gremlin with a green and black aviator suit with a white ascot. He has a big nose, spiked ear, and one spike near each his eyes and one on his chin. He has green eyes with pupils and the Omnitrix symbol was located on his chest.

Juryrigg: "Juryrigg disassemble!"

Juryrigg immediately with sheer speed started to break apart the warship. The whole ship got torn down within twenty minutes. Juryrigg then started to put some pieces back together.

Juryrigg: "FIX FIX FIX FIX FIX!"

Juryrigg attached many pieces, gears, and engines into a single entity. The result was some sort of aircraft with two wings with blades. It looked very similar to an attack helicopter. The cockpit had about six seats. The controls were very simple. A switch that indicates on and off. A joystick to control the direction of the aircraft and a gear which controlled some modes like landing, hovering, and flying. Juryrigg marvelled at his fine work. Juryrigg tapped the Omnitrix symbol to transform into another alien.

As a replacement for Juryrigg, he transformed into his Cerebrocrustacean form, Brainstorm. He has a crab-like appearance with two pincers and four legs. He has spikes on his face, arms, and skull plates. He has black and green cloth at the bottom of his body and on his skull plates. He has green eyes and wears a green and white neck brace with the Omnitrix symbol on it.

Brainstorm activated his electrical powers and shot at a power cell Juryrigg had created. He noted that the Fire Nation used coal to power their ships. Of course the coal that was on the ship cannot be used since it expired. He had to create another way to power his aircraft. So he had Juryrigg create some sort of power cell and then he would use either use Brainstorm or Buzzshock to power it. Of course it is not indefinite. It only lasts for a couple of days so he needs to make stops for recharge. Brainstorm walked over and closed a hatch that concealed the power cell.

Brainstorm: "Well that takes care of it."

Ben would surely miss Katara. Even though they had known each other for only a few hours, they had become friends. Sure they were not that close but she had been the nicest person he had ever meet in this world.

Brainstorm was about to switch back until he heard the ice beneath him shake. He looked behind him and saw a Fire Nation ship heading towards the same direction in which the village was located. Even though he had been banished from the village by Sokka, he still couldn't stand by and let people get hurt, especially after what Katara told him.

Brainstorm started levitating and speed towards Katara's home. Ben just hoped that he can stop the threat before it gets out of hand.

As Brainstorm drew closer to the village, he saw that the Fire Nation ship broke the village wall. He also saw Katara, Kanna, and the rest of the community gathered and it seemed that they were watching something. When he looked closely, he saw Sokka in some armor and war paint trying to fight what seemed to be the head bad guy andSokka was losing miserably. He at least got a hit on him with a boomerang.

Seeing that Sokka was in deep trouble, Brainstorm opened his skull plates and released electricity. He trapped Sokka in a sphere of green electricity and safely transported him to safety. The village and the firebenders was confused as to what happened. Even Sokka thought he could bend lightning. Before they could figure out anything, Brainstorm landed in between the firebenders and the villagers.

Brainstorm: "Looking for me?"

Zuko: "Who are you? What are you?"

Katara: "Ben! You came back!"

Sokka: "Wait, that's Ben?!"

Brainstorm: "The one and only."

Kanna: "So he is a shapeshifter."

Zuko: "I've finally found you, Avatar."

Katara: "Ben?"

Sokka: "No way!"

Brainstorm: "Don't listen to him Katara and Sokka, I'm not the Avatar or whatever this creepy scarred guy accuses me of being. I'm not even from around here. I'm just your average shapeshifter."

Zuko: "A normal person can't shapeshift and you're beyond a normal person! You're either a spirit or the Avatar considering I saw some green light earlier in the day."

Brainstorm: "I am neither of those. I assure you I am not the one you are looking for. Now please, leave these people alone and no one gets hurt."

Zuko: "Liar! Soldiers, capture him!"

The soldiers tried to walk about toward the Cerebrocrustacean but he shot lightning at the ground near them. Zuko growled in frustration.

Brainstorm: "Back down. You have no chance against me."

To show how even this universe hates him for some reason, the Omnitrix beeped and timed out, transforming Brainstorm back into Ben. Ben looked at his body in frustration while Katara, Sokka, and the villagers looked at Ben in confusion.

Ben: "A timeout? Seriously?!"

Zuko: "I've spent years preparing for this encounter. Training, meditating. You're just a teenager!"

Ben: "Like you aren't one yourself?"

Before Zuko could shoot flames at Ben for his remark, Ben lifted his hands.

Ben: "Hold on! If I go with you, will you promise to leave these people alone?"

Zuko considered the option and then nodded in agreement. Zuko signals his men and they apprehend Ben. Katara run up.

Katara: "No! Ben, don't do this!"

Ben: "Don't worry, Katara. Everything is gonna be fine. Take very good care of my new invention will you?"

Zuko: "Head a course for the Fire Nation. I'm going home."

Ben was pushed into Zuko's ship and the entrance was closed. The ship activated its engines and head out towards the Fire Nation.

Later in the day, some of the villagers in a somber tone were repairing things that the firebenders had destroyed. The rest were going on with their chores like creating a campfire and setting up a tent. Meanwhile, Katara was staring at the horizon with a determined look. Sokka on the other hand was carrying a pack.

Katara: "We have to go after that ship, Sokka. Ben traded his freedom to save our tribe, now we have to save him."

Sokka: "Katara, I…"

Katara: "Why can't you realize that he's on our side? If we don't help him, no one will. I know you don't like Ben and his creatures, but we owe him and…"

Sokka: "Katara! Are you gonna talk all day, or are you coming with me?"

Sokka gestured to the canoe in the water filled with supplies. Katara smiles with happiness and hugs Sokka.

Katara: "Sokka! You do have a heart!"

Sokka: "Get in, we're going to save your boyfriend."

Katara: "He's not my…"

Sokka: "Whatever."

Kanna: "What do you two think you're doing?"

Both siblings were surprised that their grandmother caught them red handed. They expected her to scold them and ground them until next winter. What they didn't expect was for Gran-Gran to hand them sleeping bags with a smile.

Sokka: "I don't understand."

Kanna: "These are for your journey. It has been so long since I have felt hope. Ben may not be the Avatar that has been gone for a hundred years but his powers are equal, if not greater. Perhaps there is a chance to set things right again."

Katara: "Does that mean..."

Kanna: "Yes Katara, I give you and your brother permission to help Ben along with his quest. You might finally be able to learn waterbending."

Katara ran over and hugged Gran-Gran. Kanna pulled in an embarrassed Sokka into the same hug.

Katara: "Thank you Gran-Gran!"

Kanna: "Ben is the world's only chance. You both found him for a reason. Now your destinies are intertwined with his. Take care of each other. Now both you, head out if you want to catch up with Ben."

Sokka: "There's no way we're going to catch a warship with a canoe."

Katara agreed with Sokka. How would they even catch up with him? She could waterbend the canoe so that they can travel faster but she is not skilled enough to do so. They are essentially unable to help Ben.

Katara: "I wished we had a boat with an engine or something."

Sokka: "Hey didn't Ben say he was going to create something travel worthy from the ship? He also said keep his invention safe."

Katara: "Oh right! C'mon Sokka!"

Sokka followed Katara as they ran over towards where the old Fire Nation would be located. When they got there, they discovered that the ship had mostly been broken down. In its place was a strange aircraft. Katara and Sokka were thoroughly impressed with the craftsmanship, especially since it was created in such a short time.

Sokka: "Woah. She is beautiful."

Katara: "How are we even going to work this thing?"

Sokka climbed on the aircraft and entered the driver's seat. He looked at the joystick and the gearshifts.

Sokka: "This doesn't look too hard. The switch is too turn this thing on or off. This 360 degree moving stick is probably to control the direction of this contraption. The up and down switch probably for lift off."

Katara: "That makes sense, I guess."

Sokka: "Hop on Katara."

Katara did as she was told and climbed on. She then sat next to Sokka. She looked around and saw a strap of cloth with steel at the tip. She wondered what it did and her question when she saw a hole. She connected the metal piece into the hole and it clicked, securing her in her seat. She wondered what the purpose of it was but she dismissed it trying to focus on saving Ben.

Sokka pressed the switch and the engines started roaring. He then he shifted the gear up once and then the aircraft started lifting from the ground. Both of them were flying and they were excited, especially Sokka.

Sokka: "Katara, we're flying!"

Katara: "I thought you hated Ben?"

Sokka: "Opinions can change sometimes. Now hang on!"

Sokka shifted the joystick and they started flying towards the direction of Zuko's ship.

Ben had his hands tied behind his back. He doubts these guys knew that he transformed using the Omnitrix. It was a clever way to prevent him from using it, even if they aren't aware of it.

Ben had spent quite a while trying to explain to the young prince that he was not the person he was looking for. Of course it yielded no results since the exiled prince was far too stubborn to be reasoned with. There was an old fat man who the prince regarded as Uncle. He didn't say thing, only stroking his beard in a collected manner.

Zuko: "The Fire Lord will finally give me my honor back and restore my place as prince of the Fire Nation. You are my ticket whether you like it or not."

Ben: "I doubt that will happen if your Highness realizes that you brought the wrong person."

Iroh: "It's not that simple."

Ben: "Huh?"

Zuko: "What my uncle meant is that even if you're not the Avatar, I've seen the power you had with that giant beetle and the crab thing you turned into. You are a threat to our glorious empire. I'm sure my Father will understand."

Ben: "What makes you think I won't turn now and kick your butt?"

Zuko: "It appears you don't have control over you forms based on how you reacted when you turned back. And since you haven't turn since then, you're not a threat to me."

Ben was surprised that the prince's guess was almost accurate. Ben could definitely transform right now, the problem is that he can't reach the Omnitrix.

Zuko: "Take him to the prison hold."

Ben was pushed by two soldiers towards a flight towards which lead down a compartment beneath the deck. Ben was sent through a long corridor towards a room with one soldier in front of him and the other behind him. An idea popped into Ben's head on how to escape.

Ben: "Hey guy behind me. Can you help me with something? The bracelet from my mentor is straining me. Could you just slap the black part to take it off? It'll be really helpful."

Fortunately, the soldier did as Ben requested. He grabbed the boy's arm and slapped the black part. Both of them were blinded by green light. In Ben's place was his Arachnichimp form who managed to escape his biddings. Spidermonkey used his superior agility and knocked out both of the guards with ease.

Spidermonkey: "Thanks a lot. Really appreciate it."

Spidermonkey ran down the hallway trying to escape this ship. A helmsman spots the alien and alerts the entire ship

Helmsman: "The prisoner has escaped!"

Spidermonkey continued to run through the halls until he saw three soldiers standing with swords.

Spidermonkey: "Mind telling me where the exit is?"

The three soldiers rushed at him and Spidermonkey webbed them to the ground. Spidermonkey starts to climb on the ceiling. Spidermonkey chirps with laughter.

Spidermonkey: "Good help is hard to find these days."

Spidermonkey tried to hide in a room so that he can catch his breath and create his next plan of attack. He even accidentally stumbled upon the prince's uncle while he was sleeping. Spidermonkey later entered a room and the Omnitrix beeped and reverted back to Ben.

Ben: "Man, this can't get any worse."

In response, the door closed behind him and it's revealed to be Zuko. Ben turned around in surprise.

Zuko: "It seems that you're too much of a wildcard too stay awake. I'll be sure to knock you out for the rest of the trip."

Ben: "Not gonna happen."

Ben smacked the Omnitrix's interface and disappeared in a flash of green light. In Ben's place was a green turtle that had six holes in his shell and had brown spots on his legs, feet, and shoulders. He has two flippers with finger like claws and toes on his feet. He has green eyes which is surrounded by black lines and the Omnitrix symbol was located on his chest.

Zuko was temporarily dumbfounded and immediately entered a fighting stance. Terraspin on the other hand simply used his giant flipper and smacked Zuko across the room, who groaned with slight pain. With Zuko distracted, Terraspin began entered a Y stance and spun his limbs and left the room, slicing some of the door in the process.

Terraspin stopped spinning his limbs once he managed to get on the deck. Terraspin became slightly stiff due to the cold weather. Geochelone Aerios were cold-blooded and were highly active in warm weather. Not so much in freezing temperatures. Terraspin wouldn't be able to properly fly had a major disadvantage. It also didn't help that Zuko managed to recover quickly from his previous attack and he understandable did not look happy.

Zuko: "Didn't you know that reptiles don't do well in cold weather? You have nowhere to go."

Before the fight could begin, Zuko and Terraspin started to hear something beyond the distance. It was revealed to be the aircraft Ben created earlier. Terraspin smiled knowing who was on it. It was currently hovering over the Fire Nation vessel.

Zuko: "What is that?"

Terraspin: "Katara!"

Zuko shot a flame at Terraspin who barely dodged the attack. Seeing as he couldn't fly away, he decided to hide in his shell, which should protect him from the harsh fire.

Zuko: "Don't think you can hide from me!"

Zuko and a few soldiers started to shoot a stream of fire together at the Geochelone Aerio.

Katara: "Ben! No!"

The firebenders continued to shoot their stream of fire and then a green flash of light engulfed the deck and the fire dissipated. In his place was a humanoid magnet with a floating skull shaped head with a yellow crest and green glow in between shoulder arch. He has crab-like claws for hands and his body is mainly black with yellow feet, hands, shoulders, and chest. He has green eyes and the Omnitrix symbol was located on his chest.

Lodestar: "You're in trouble now."

Lodestar raised his hands and activated his magnetic powers. Zuko and the soldiers were lifted in the air. They were confused as to how he was moving them in the air. They would have shot at the Biosovortian but they were too dumbfounded to do anything. Lodestar tossed them overboard. Zuko on the other hand managed to grab an anchor chain. Meanwhile Katara and Sokka were amazed at Lodestar's powers.

Katara: "Did you see that?!"

Sokka: "That form is very impressive."

Lodestar waved at the Water Tribe siblings and started to levitate towards the aircraft. Iroh managed to help Zuko get on the deck. Zuko, now furious, commanded to shoot down the Biosovortian and his Water Tribe allies.

Zuko: "Shoot them down."

Zuko and Iroh did a synchronized move and fired a blast at Lodestar. While Katara and Sokka looked on in fear, Lodestar saw the upcoming fire and created a magnetic shield. The fire hit the shield and got redirected to a nearby cliff. The impact causes an avalanche of snow and ice to fall on the ship. The front of the ship gets buried in a mass of snow and ice. Lodestar waves at the prince and then gestured to Sokka that it was time to leave. The aircraft left with Lodestar following closely behind. Zuko looked on with rage.

Iroh: "Good news is that he is just a teenager. Bad news is that he has power that seems to be even greater than the Avatar."

Zuko: "I'll catch him eventually. No one can hide with such an obvious contraption."

Iroh: "He may be easy to find but detaining him will be incredibly difficult. Not to mention how versatile he is."

Zuko: "I saw how he transformed. That bracelet on his wrist is what helps him shapeshift. If I can take it away from him, he is powerless against me."

Iroh: "I'm glad you have a plan, even if it won't be easy. He may have a creature for every situation. I suggest caution."

Zuko: "Don't underestimate me Uncle. Dig the ship out and follow them!"

Zuko looked around and saw that some soldiers were trying to help out those who have been thrown overboard. Zuko was slightly embarrassed at his realization.

Zuko: "Well, as soon as you're done with that."

Zuko looked out the distance. He will capture that shapeshifter and bring him to his father. He will make sure of it.

Sokka was still driving the aircraft and Ben managed to entered in one of the first three seats. The back one were occupied by supplies. Ben even saw his signature clothes. It was nice for them to have remembered to pack it.

Katara was currently gushing over on what happened on the Fire Nation ship.

Katara: "It was awesome how you use that magnet creature and threw them overboard. Then you make that shield that redirected the fire."

Sokka: "I guess it was kinda cool."

Ben: "I perfected those skills for six years. I'm glad you guys like it. I probably should send you guys back home huh?"

Sokka: "Actually, we came here to help you."

Ben: "Help me?"

Katara: "Our Gran-Gran believes that you need some companions to save the world from the nation. Plus, since you're not from this world, we'll help you understand the nuances and what goes one."

Sokka: "Plus you can't have all the fun."

Ben: "Really?"

Katara: "I can finally go to the Northern Water Tribe to learn waterbending!"

Ben: "Oh yeah! That's great!"

Sokka: "Great… more magic."

Ben: "The Omnitrix isn't magic, it's science."

Sokka: "Whatever creature boy."

Ben: "Do you even know where we are going?"

Sokka: "My dad told me the Southern Air Temple is not too far away. We'll land there to get some resources."

Ben: "That makes sense. It'll be nice to meet some airbenders."

Katara and Sokka looked at each other with unease.

Katara: "Actually Ben, the airbenders went extinct a hundred years ago. They were the first victims of the War. The temple would likely be deserted."

Ben: "That's seriously messed up. Don't worry Katara, I'll stop the cycle of violence in this world."

Sokka: "So what is this world you come from? Katara told me while we were coming to rescue you that you can't go back. How come?"

Ben decided to tell them the full context of what had happened to his world. If he was going to be with them for the foreseeable future, he might as well build a sense of trust. however

Ben: "First things first, I come from an alternate universe that doesn't have benders or an Avatar."

Sokka: "Yeah right."

Katara: "Sokka!"

Sokka: "Come on Katara, that sounds really far fetched."

Ben: "There are many universe with their own laws of physics. That's what makes each universe unique. Besides, shouldn't me turning into aliens gave away the that I'm not from around here?"

Sokka: "True…"

Katara: "Aliens? What are those?"

Ben: "They're basically creatures from different planets. They have these abilities because their environment forces them to have it. Some might exist in this universe."

Sokka: "Well other planets do exist according to dad so maybe that part isn't as far fetched as the alternate universe part."

Katara: "So what happened to your world exactly? You were very vague about it in our earlier conversation."

Ben: "Well me and my partner were out looking for a device that was able to destroy the entire universe. Of course I thought it was some stupid ghost story and I didn't take it seriously. That is until it actually went off. It destroyed everything. I'm the only one left from my universe."

Katara and Sokka looked at each other with a somber expression. Sure they had experienced loss when their mother died when they were kids but this was on another level. Ben had lost everything and he was sent to a strange place he had no idea about. He probably didn't even get to say his goodbyes. Katara placed a hand on his shoulder.

Katara: "I'm so sorry Ben."

Ben: "Don't be. I wish I could take it all back."

Sokka: "I'm sorry for being a jerk to you."

Ben: "It's alright, you didn't know."

Katara: "I know we'll never be your true family, but you will always have me and Sokka as your new ones."

Sokka: "Katara is right. Whenever you need someone to laugh with or need a shoulder to cry on, we'll always be there for you."

Ben smiled at their words. Beating himself over his failures won't solve his problems. It didn't bring Feedback back and neither will it bring his universe back. He would have to learn from it as Azmuth told him five years ago. The pain of his loss was still there and he would still feel it for a good chunk of his life but that didn't mean he couldn't start new attachments all over again.

Ben: "Thanks. Both of you."

A/N:

Thanks for all the favorites, follows, and reviews from the last chapter. It means a lot to me.

As for pairings, I've thought about doing it with Ty Lee. Although, you would have to wait a while.

As for the aircraft, it basically looks similar to Megatron's vehicle mode in Transformers Animated. Since Derrick J Wyatt worked on both shows, I thought it would be an excellent nod.

You might be wondering about Aang's involvement in this story. He will appear in this story and may have some Aang and Ben conflict. After all, the airbenders need to get repopulated.

I also plan on incorporating elements of the comics and some aspects of Korra.

8GoKey40th: I know that but at this point in Omniverse, Ben hasn't named Snare-Oh and Blitzwolfer yet.

Aztec 13: I like how you correctly predicted most of the stuff that happens in this chapter.

Atom King: Sure but that would mean that Ben would've needed to be Alien-X for billions of years or however long it took to create the world of Avatar. And yes, Ben will act like the mentor, even if Rook and Ben 23 disagree.

Amit Barabi: Ben works in settings like DC or Marvel. He simply won't work in something like Avatar. What's stopping Ben from just going to the Fire Nation capital by himself and fights Ozai one on one? We all know Ben would win very easily. I would either have to buff the benders or nerf the aliens. Like I said previously, Aang will appear eventually.

Skyline 10: I'm glad you like my decision on the aliens. They wouldn't skip these places since they would need supplies and their mode of transportation would need to recharge. However, things will play much differently.

To be continued