Chapter 4: Charmed, I'm sure.
Naruto's Residence, Hidden Leaf, Land of Fire, Earth, Summer, 2014 A.D.
Albedo awoke for the first time since coming to this world with barely any sleep behind him. There have been ample moments before in his stay where he just could not sleep, part of the reason that he was occupying the floor next to Naruto's bed rather than an actual one, yet today seemed different. He placed a hand over his eyes and the other besides him as he lay atop his sleeping bag, he was not a fan of covering himself whilst asleep. Strangely enough, he was not feeling neither cold nor hot either. As the hours passed, Naruto awoke thanks to the sun shining directly in his eyes. He proceeded to yawn as he got up from his bed.
"Morni-" the young blond stopped as he looked at Albedo, "Woah. You okay?"
"Oh, great morning to you too my young friend." Albedo declared getting up himself, "I just have a lot on my mind right now. I have not slept for more than two hours."
"Is this about that professor's appearance?"
"That is a major factor, yes. Yet I cannot shake the feeling that something ominous is afoot." Albedo pinched the bridge of his nose in mild annoyance. "It is a certainly peculiar feeling."
"I'm sure it's nothing we can't handle!" Naruto declared with a wide grin.
"I would like to have a dose of your optimism sometimes my friend." Albedo let out a small chuckle. "Now I do believe you mentioned an appointment you have?"
"Oh right! Kakashi sensei wanted to talk to me yesterday, but then the snakes happened. I better be off." Naruto quickly dressed up and was about to dash out the door before turning back, a worried look on his face "What are you gonna do?"
"I think I will get some air. Need to sort my thoughts out."
"Sure. I'll be back in about an hour or so, in any case, let's meet at Teuchi's place."
"Understood. See you soon."
"Same to ya."
The two teens exited the apartment, both of them going their own separate way. Albedo once more found himself on the streets of Hidden Leaf.
'Now, let us check out the buzzling district of this village shall we?' he thought to himself as he set off.
Business District, Hidden Leaf, Land of Fire, Earth, Summer, 2014 A.D.
'I have been here for a week or so already, yet I still do not think I have seen most of the village. Maybe I should look around a bit too.' he thought to himself as he proceeded down the main road. 'Hmm..? That is quite the... alluring smell.' Albedo thought as he passed by some food stalls, 'Maybe I will try some.'
As he was approaching one stall however he noticed two large men chasing a little girl into an alleyway. At first glance the young lady appeared to be from the streets, her clothes and appearance suggested as such. 'Oh?' Albedo raised an eyebrow, 'Rather repulsive for two large fellows to be after the young. Let me see just what is going on.'
Ominous Alleyway, Business District, Hidden Leaf, Land of Fire, Earth, Summer, 2014 A.D.
The two men, both of large builds were full of scars and simply did not seem to match the aesthetic of the rest of the village. It seemed even stranger that nobody exactly noticed the two. Then again the alleyway was very far and hidden from the main street, it is a wonder someone would even know about it. The large thugs were slowly approaching the girl, kunais ready.
"Oi brat! You still owe us the money you took!" one snapped. His voice was ragged, like that of a stereotypical pirate.
"Don't think dat we've forgotten what you took with it!" the other added. His voice more gruff with an audibly heavier accent.
"It's a wonder you're still alive so you better be thankful and cough up the money, or else..." one brandished the kunai close to his face, proceeding to lick it, causing the young girl to shudder.
"I told you! I don't have the money! I can't collect that much this soon!"
"Huh." the second thug snickered, "I was hoping you'd say dat girlie." he was about to close in before being stopped by a voice, that of a young man.
"I believe that is far enough you imbeciles." Albedo said standing at the end of the alleyway. "Leave and you shall not be harmed."
"Huh?!" the first thug raised his voice, "I dunno who ya are kid but you're butting into something you have no connection to."
"I know that quite well." Albedo nodded, "Yet if I ignore this situation, who knows what might weigh on my conscience."
"You don' kno' who you're messin' with kid!" the second thug charged at him, he was a trained ninja, at least to the basic sense, by the looks of it anyway.
"I could say the same to you young one." Albedo said as he impulsively picked up a nearby trash container with one hand with relative ease and threw it at the men, catching both of them off guard, in a split second however he was right next to the girl, stopping the container before it could make a sound or crush more than a thug's leg.
"W-who are you?!" the first thug asked, in his shock falling on his back.
"Me? I am Albedo."
"Huh?"
"What is it? You wanted me to introduce myself did you not?" Albedo scratched his head in apparent confusion, "I still do not get how humans change their minds so quick..."
"Oi, l-let's get out of here! The money ain't worth it."
"Y-yeah." the first thug nodded as he got his accomplice on his shoulder.
With that short exchange the two thugs 'suddenly' got up and left, the two barely managing to pull one's leg out from under the trash container. Even so the duo left rather quickly for their injuries.
"Are you unharmed young one?" Albedo asked turning to the terrified girl, "Do relax, I am not here to harm you. As it is, I am here by mere coincidence. Though I do believe that coincidence just solved your problems."
"W-who are you mister?" the little girl managed to open her eyes to, her surprise, see her seemingly young savior.
"I believe I already told you, my name is Albedo."
That was the moment the girl noticed the huge scythe on the boy's back, "You took them out without even touching your weapon! You're so cool!"
"That was a rather quick 180 if I have ever seen one." Albedo said, doing a double take. "Why were you in trouble, Ms..?"
"I'm Hanako." the young girl introduced herself, "I... I s-stole from their stall to be able to feed my little brother."
"Little brother? You barely look over 9, what kind of situation is this?" the white haired alien's eyes went wide in surprise.
"O-our parents died in the war..." the little Hanako felt tears welling up in her eyes. Albedo immediately felt like he hit the worst nerve possible.
"My sincere condolences child." he offered her a moment of silence, "It was not my intention to make you relive those memories."
"I-it's okay, you d-didn't know." Hanako said, wiping her tears and putting on a brave front.
"I myself have lost a fair share of good people, I know what it must feel like." Albedo smiled at the girl, "Though, I must ask if you do not mind, why would you resort to theft? And from such a foul bunch of individuals no less? Surely you and your brother cannot be living on the streets." however, he received no answer from Hanako, "Are you joking?" Albedo's tone turned serious, "Is there no orphanage or the like in this village?"
"T-there is!" Hanako stated, "We have been taken in by them, yet they always tell us that there's a food shortage or something."
"Say, when did this war transpire?"
Hanako went wide-eyed at the question, but the honest look the boy in front of him gave him reassured her to give an answer. "A-about a year ago."
"Seems oddly peculiar that after one full year, or possibly longer, there would still be a shortage to food supplies, yet the village is rebuilt and flourishing, would you not think so?"
"N-now that you mention it." Hanako pondered.
"Come child, I will take you to a new friend of mine who might help your problems." the girl was about to follow Albedo warily before he stopped her. "That is not good young lady."
"H-huh?" the blood froze in Hanako for a second at the serious tone Albedo spoke with, unlike before, it seemed sinister.
"You are way too trusting..." he declared, slowly pushing the girl into a corner.
"D-don't..." Hanako cowered in fear.
"What would you have done if it was someone else than me?" Albedo's calm and reassuring tone returned, "It might not be so here, but where I come from there exist the kind of scum who would take advantage of you after posing as a savior."
"You're... not gonna hurt me?"
"Of course not little one!" Albedo chuckled, "For I have no reason to. Nor do I want to. Yet I still must take you to my new friend. I am quite sure he is capable of solving your problem." he crouched in front of the little girl, "Hop on, and hold tight. I would like to try something."
The small brunette did as she was instructed, as Albedo ensured that the girl was holding on he concentrated a bit of his newfound strength to his legs. "Here goes nothing!" the white haired teen said as he jumped in the air, and in a matter of seconds the two were above cloud level. "Oh my, I seem to have put in too much power. It's a wonder my legs are still intact." the last part he added quietly, wondering about other possibilities.
Hanako could not help but scream in a mix of awe and terror, "Are we gonna fall?!"
"What goes up must come down eventually little one! But fret not, we will land where we are required." just as Albedo finished the two landed with a large thud on the top of the Hokage building without causing any significant damage. "The landing was a lot smoother than the jump itself."
Hokage Building, Hidden Leaf, Land of Fire, Earth, Summer, 2014 A.D.
"The H-Hokage building?!" Hanako looked at her surroundings then at her savior, "By friend you meant..?"
"Kakashi of course. Now, come Ms. Hanako." Albedo pointed towards the door, through which in a matter of seconds Shizune rushed through, followed by some guards. "Oh my, I do apologize for the ruckus, I did not control the landing as much as I would have liked."
"You again?" Shizune asked, slight irritation showing on her face, "And what's this about landing, how did you get up here?"
"We jumped." Albedo and the little Hanako exclaimed in unison.
"Jumped?! From where?"
"From an alleyway around the business district of this village." Albedo made a shade with his hands and pointed towards the direction. "I need to speak with Kakashi."
"You could have come in from the human entrance." Shizune pointed out.
"Hah, nice one." Albedo chuckled, "Yet we were nowhere near this establishment."
Shizune let out a lengthy sigh, confusing the still on-guard guards surrounding her, "Fine then, come on in."
"Thank you kindly." he took the hands of his new accomplice as they walked towards the door.
Kakashi's Office, Hokage Building, Hidden Leaf, Land of Fire, Earth, Summer, 2014 A.D.
Kakashi was sorting through some paperwork when a knock on the door came.
"Come in." he answered, secretly glad that he could put off the paperwork for a bit.
"Greetings." Albedo entered the room.
"Oh, Albedo! What brings you back so soon?"
"Truth be told, I was minding my own business walking along the stalls in the business district, when I saw this young lady," he indicated towards the door, which Hanako took as a cue to enter the room, "Being chased by two burly men, brandishing weaponry."
"What?!" Kakashi snapped, "Is she alright?"
"I managed to help her in time, so there is no need to worry, yet what she told me has sparked my attention."
"I'm listening."
"She was forced to steal food for herself and her brother, because apparently the orphanage she is staying at is having a bit of a food shortage." Albedo indicated the last two words with air quotation marks.
"Huh?" Kakashi almost visibly did a double take, "The war was almost one and a half years ago, there is no shortage of food that I know of, and the trade routes are flourishing better than ever..."
"I believe you get what I am trying to say here."
"There is a corrupt official inside the orphanage who is keeping the food to themselves."
"Though, I do wonder, what would be the reason for such a thing?" Albedo raised a finger, "As you said, the war has passed and the food situation is plentiful, yet there is someone still holding it from war orphans and normal children. Surely food does not possess such a high value to act as if we were in the Middle Ages."
"Middle Ages?" Kakashi asked in surprise.
"Ah, apologies. On my Earth the Middle Ages were a time of knights and chivalry, but at the same time corruption and diseases roamed the land without fail... Or so I have heard."
"The past is the same no matter what world huh?" Kakashi shook his head slightly, "On the other hand, simple greed, or smuggling comes to mind for such a petty case. Still I must thank you for bringing it to my attention Albedo."
"Think nothing of it." Albedo smiled.
"What's your name little girl?" Kakashi asked, walking over to the brunette.
"I'm Hanako, Lord Hokage!" she bowed respectfully, despite her appearance.
"It seems food is not the only problem here." Kakashi indicated towards the girl's clothing. "Was she like this when you encountered her?"
"I am afraid so." Albedo nodded solemnly, "Even before being chased she seemed to be in such a condition."
"That is concerning." Kakashi turned back towards Hanako, "Say Hanako, did you happen to be abused in any way?"
"I... I don't think so... They just don't give us food or a bath... As if that wasn't enough."
"Thank you. I will do something about this at the soonest convenience. Please, feel free to stay here."
"What about Kikuchi?!" Hanako hastily asked, getting up from her seat.
"Is Kikuchi your brother?" Albedo asked.
"Yes!"
"I will send someone over right now to get him, if you could provide a description. I would not feel it right for you to go back. At least not until the management change."
"T-thank you!" Hanako exclaimed, impulsively hugging Kakashi.
Kakashi let out a light hearted chuckle, "Thank your friend over here."
"Thank you big bro Albedo!"
"You are most welcome." Albedo smiled warmly at the sight of the happy girl, "Well, I must be off then. I planned on visiting some parts of the village after all. Have fun now."
"Will I see you again?" Hanako asked, practically giving Albedo the puppy eyes.
"Why of course!" Albedo smiled warmly, "I have no reason not to meet you." he said as he ruffled the girl's hair, "See you around young one."
Albedo departed from the building with a smile on his face. As he walked down the street, he started pondering about the state the orphanage was seemingly in, 'Seems that no matter the world or planet corruption will always be a thing to be on the lookout for.' he started looking around as he walked, 'Now, where were those octopus balls that I have seen?'
Ben Tennyson's House, Bellwood, America, Earth, Summer, 2014 A.D.
Ben awoke in his bed after what seemed like an eternity spent in the Plumber HQ researching portals. He clutched his head, like he was having the worst hangover of his life. He looked around as he realized this was his house. 'How did I even get home? I don't even remember sleeping.' he was about to get up before another rather sharp pain coursed through his head.
"Why am I doing this again..?" he groaned before the image of Albedo disappearing into the swirling abyss came to mind. "Right. That's why." he concluded, determination once again settling in.
The young hero walked down the stairs of his house, greeting his mother for the morning. "Morning mom." he said with a nonchalant and effortless wave of his hands.
"Oh, morning Ben! Had a good night's sleep?"
"I don't think I did. I have had a lot on my mind lately." Ben admitted, "It's really frustrating. That, and I don't even remember how I got home."
"Oh, I just wish I could help, but you know I'm not too great with all this alien technology business." Sandra smiled sadly, "It just hurts that I cannot support my own son in his troubles."
"Don't worry mom, you just being here is a ton of help." Ben said as he gave a warm hug to his mother. "That helps a lot."
"It's a pity that Carl is away at work for this week." Sandra sighed, "Oh, right the answer to your question would be that dear Rook."
"Rook brought me home? Wow, how out was I? Has he come by yet?" Ben asked sitting down at the table waiting for breakfast her mother was steadily working on.
"I haven't seen him yet today." Sandra admitted, "After he brought you home yesterday, he said he would come by later than usual to pick you up." a frown soon etched itself across the blond woman's face, "I think you've been overworking yourself lately. Maybe you should take breaks every now and then? I might not know about portals and gateways, but I know what's best for a growing young man I'd like to think." her mother declared with a proud smile.
"Thanks mom. Really." Ben smiled, "I will try to look out for myself a bit more again." he let out a sigh in frustration, 'I really hope I can.'
Just then there was a knock on the door. As Sandra went to open the door, she saw a welcome sight, as on the other side of the door stood Rook, accompanied by Max Tennyson.
"Sandra!" Max happily exclaimed, "It's been a while."
"Max!" Sandra smiled happily as she embraced her father-in-law, "Thanks for always looking out for Ben."
"That's just one of my responsibilities as his grandfather, don't worry about it. He looks out for me all the same so I think we're even." Max said as he entered the room, "Speaking of which, where is Ben?"
"Oh, he's eating breakfast in the kitchen." Sandra pointed towards the room with a smile.
Max and Rook, entering the house, followed Sandra towards the kitchen where Ben melancholically sat in front of a plate of pancakes. He took a bite or two before sighing and clutching his head from the lessening pain.
"Ben, good morning." Rook greeted with a smile, glad that his partner managed to walk after being fatigued so much, snapping Ben out of his thoughts.
"Oh Rook! Morning." he then spotted his grandfather, "Grandpa Max? Is there a problem?" his tone shifted to a worried one.
"I need to talk with you about something, but please finish first." Max reassured his grandson.
10 minutes later
Ben immediately got up from the table as he practically stuffed the food in himself in a matter of minutes and cleaned the plates to boot.
"Ben, I thought I told you to finish calmly." Max pointed out with a slight frown.
"You did, but the look on your face tells me something is not right." Ben countered. "Now let's go." the brunette said before turning towards his mother and giving her a hug, "Thanks for the food mom."
"Anytime dear." Sandra chuckled as her son, Rook and Max left the house each saying his goodbyes. "He's been in a hugging mood lately hasn't he?"
Plumber HQ, Bellwood, America, Earth, Summer, 2014 A.D.
Max, Rook and Ben practically dashed out of the elevator as it descended towards Ben and Rook's makeshift research room across the prison cells.
"Did Rook tell you what I was doing?" Ben inquired with a raised eyebrow.
"No. I came across it myself." Max admitted, "And whilst I can't say I understand your reasons, I do understand that you're determined. I felt like I should support you. It's been a while since you set your mind on something... Since you got home that is." the old man smiled a sad smile as they slowed down to a walk, "And it appears we might have a problem, a major problem."
"What do yo-" Ben was about to ask before looking at the screen, there was a flashing red word on screen stating 'OVERLOAD', which seemed to be caused by an unprecedented event. "T-the portal... No portals... Just how many opened at once?!"
"Almost all but one of these opened in uninhabited planets or uninhabited locations on Earth, yet the sheer number is cause for concern." Max stated putting a hand to his chin.
"All but one? Where did the last one open then?" Ben turned towards his grandfather who directed his attention to a certain spot on the screen. "Ledgerdomain..?"
"We currently have no idea if there were casualties or similar cases to Albedo." Rook announced, "Yet access to Ledgerdomain is currently impossible."
"Huh?"
"Some Plumbers were close to the Door to Anywhere, yet they could not open it."
"But the door needs magic to open." Ben pointed out.
"Gwen said she would go over, yet even she was unsuccessful." Rook declared. Ben tensed up at the mention of her cousin's name for a second.
'I really need to let go of that...' Ben shook his head, "So no entry to Ledgerdomain, and a portal is open in there?"
"By the looks of things nothing major is happening, so I'd assume nothing got sucked up. Still we should check it out when the chance arises." Max concluded.
"Just when will that be I wonder..." Ben sighed, 'I wonder how Albedo is doing... Is a sentence I never thought I would say.' he pondered for a minute, "Can't we get in touch with Charmcaster somehow?"
"Not from here we can't." Max shook his head, "Maybe Gwen could."
"In the end do I have to rely on her once more..?" Ben sighed.
"Did something happen between you two Ben?" Max asked with concern.
"They were the first people I asked about this thing, yet they refused to help, which alone would be understandable, but then both her and Kevin went on and on about this is wrong. I mean Kevin did too!" Ben snapped, "Where does he get off? Albedo tried to kill me, sure, but so did he! And look where we are now!"
"Ben! Ben, calm down!" Max took a hold of his grandson's shoulders, "Calm down son."
"I... I'm sorry Grandpa..." Ben clenched his fist, "It's just frustrating how they write him off so quickly."
"Hmm?" Max raised an eyebrow in question, "I don't think I have ever heard you talk about him in such a new light."
"I never thought I would Max." Ben admitted, his eyes radiating honesty, "But what he showed me on the day he disappeared... The emotions, the thoughts... He is not who we thought he was, I'm sure of it. We just never got to talk."
Ever since Ben and the others came back from their trip around the universe Max has noticed that he wasn't as chipper anymore, nor did he joke around as much. He knew something has changed in his grandson but at the same time he felt powerless to help. Seeing his grandson once again determined has filled the old Plumber with happiness, the next thing he wanted was for him and his cousin to reconcile, to at least have some semblance of what was a year ago.
"Ben. I'm not saying to forgive her or to bury the hatchet, a time might come where that happens, it is not on me to force you into anything. But currently, at this time, we need her help if we want to go anywhere."
Ben looked his grandfather in the eyes and let out a long sigh, "You're right. We need her help."
Business District, Hidden Leaf, Land of Fire, Earth, Summer, 2014 A.D.
Albedo was continuing his trek around the business district after having had his fill, but as he did he came to notice that the Sun was on its way down, shopkeepers were closing for the night and a lot of people, mostly families with children, were heading to their homes.
"My, I seem to have spent the whole day already without knowing." he chuckled despite himself. "I do hope that Kakashi could handle little Hanako's case..." the white haired alien pinched the bridge of his nose for a couple seconds, "Look at me, already worrying about someone other than myself... Was it always this easy?" he sighed, "This easy to worry, to save people... Was it always this easy for him too..? Huh, no use crying over spilled milk as they say."
As he walked further down the street he noticed a sudden lack of people up and about the street. It was awfully suspicious considering that bare minutes ago the street was buzzling with life, even with a multitude of people heading home.
"Cannot be that late can it? Have I perchance discovered yet another dead end without knowing? Maybe the vendors just close faster than I would have guessed? Certainly interesting. Nonetheless, I best head back before it becomes too late."
As he turned around however, as if a small storm swept through the streets, the dust picked up and the air has gotten rather chilly. "Oh, I recognize this feeling from anywhere... Too many times, too little intervals between... Not again!" Albedo sighed as he slightly but firmly planted himself into the ground in case of emergency. However what appeared was something unlike he has ever seen before. It was a portal, however the gateway itself this time was a deep shade of purple and swirled in the opposite direction than the one that sucked him in. Its size seemed greater too. "What manner of a gateway are you? Wait, is that perchance... Magic? Seems awfully similar to the one Benjamin's cousin used to use on me." Albedo suddenly cringed at that statement, "Uhh, why did I have to torture myself with such a memory?"
However as Albedo was reluctantly reliving the past, a figure appeared from the gateway, that of a young woman. She wore a magenta colored coat with purple ends, along with black tights and long black boots. Her hair was white, framed with purple highlights, and she stood a bit taller compared to Albedo thanks to her heels. Her ears were adorned with earrings and she had some sort of specific make up, 'I swear I have seen that style somewhere before...' Albedo thought.
"Finally!" she exclaimed joyfully, "I could get ou-" however she immediately stopped upon setting sights on Albedo, "Ben?!"
"I am afraid I will have to dash your expectations young lady. I am not Benjamin." Albedo awkwardly 'introduced' himself, "Though, for obvious reasons I do get mistaken for him quite a lot. However, usually not here."
"Woah." the woman exclaimed, "Yeah you're definitely not Ben, he would never talk like you... What do you mean by here though?"
"Judging by the fact that you came out of a gateway on your own, you seem to be quite proficient with magic I would presume, so it must come of little surprise if I tell you we are in an alternate world."
"Alternate world?" the woman raised an eyebrow, seemingly intrigued.
"You do come from Earth right?"
"Not directly, but yeah."
"In that case this is an entirely different universe. As an example, magic and aliens do not exist... well other than you and me."
"Hold on, you're an alien?" the woman immediately concluded with such a simple question.
"It is a long story, but yes." Albedo nodded, taking note that the woman did not even consider the magic route, "I was once Albedo from the Galvan, I just go by Albedo now."
"You're Albedo?!"
"Perhaps, you have heard of me?" Albedo raised an eyebrow in intrigue.
"Just once during a short stay in the Null Void, some prisoners talked about you. You seemed to have quite the notoriety." the woman smiled.
"More like infamy." Albedo scoffed, "Now, I do not believe I heard your name."
"I'm Charmcaster." the young woman introduced herself, "The current ruler of Ledgerdomain."
"Ah, the origin of all magic. Never was a direct observer of magical discoveries, yet the place always intrigued me." Albedo declared, "Now then, if you are here by your own volition, I would wager you had no other place to exit towards yes?"
"That's the gist of it." Charmcaster nodded, once more intrigued by the boy in front of him, he seemed to be talking from obvious experience. "I couldn't open a gateway to anywhere, but then suddenly out of nowhere I could open one here."
"The circumstances might differ, but it is fact that we are now stranded here."
"How long have you been in this place?"
"Roughly a week and a couple days now." Albedo shrugged, "I have spent my time learning the workings of this world, and I must say, it is fundamentally different than what I was used to on Earth."
"Huh." Charmcaster looked around at the eastern styled buildings, "I can see that. Still I gotta ask, why do you look like Ben? I haven't heard anything about that." she then put a hand to her chin, "Though, it's hard to believe that people would be that scared of a small creature like a Galvan."
"My, you talk about the boy as if you were great friends." Albedo chuckled. "I do agree with you on the Galvan front though."
"Oh, well I have reluctantly tagged along on their little journey. Fun bunch when you get to know them from a talking stand point."
"You don't say?" Albedo sighed, "Seems we have our fair share of stories to tell, like the condition of my body. Come now, before we gather more attention." he declared, looking around for prying eyes.
"I know I shouldn't ask after you said you were from the Galvan, but the way you're talking makes it seem like you're much older than me..."
"That is precisely because I am dear." Albedo smiled, "I am currently 917."
"Knew I shouldn't have asked." Charmcaster cringed.
"I have a newfound friend I trust here." Albedo declared, accompanied with a small chuckle caused by the girl's statement, "We should head to his accommodation first and foremost. It is getting quite late."
"Not like I can take us back as it seems." Charmcaster sighed, "Sure, lead the way."
In front of Naruto's Residence, Hidden Leaf, Land of Fire, Earth, Summer, 2014 A.D.
"This is the place." Albedo declared, "The stairs are over here." he said walking over to the structure.
"Are you sure it's okay for me to be here?" Charmcaster hesitantly asked, following her guide.
"Look, you are in the same situation as I was, without a roof over your head in a completely alternate world, most unfamiliar to you. Even at best you need information and a place to rest your head. This place is spacious. And you have not tried to kill me yet. I do believe you qualify."
"If you say so." the white haired woman nodded.
"Now then." Albedo said as he proceeded to knock on the door.
As the door opened, it revealed Naruto on the other side, with a cup of ramen in his hand, "Oh, Albedo. You're late." he grinned as he turned around.
"Yes, I got into quite the situation today." a sudden realization came over Albedo as if he was hit by a freight train, "Oh my most sincere apologies! I completely forgot about our meeting!"
"Hah, was waiting for you to bring it up. No worries, I spoke to Kakashi-sensei about it, he told me about what you did today."
"Did he now?" Albedo smiled, "In that case, how is little Hanako doing?"
"I hear they temporarily closed down the orphanage until they find better staff, some of the older workers took in most of the children, whilst the kid you helped and her brother are under the care of the peeps at the Hokage building." the blond ninja summarized.
Naruto's Residence, Hidden Leaf, Land of Fire, Earth, Summer, 2014 A.D.
"V.I.P. Status huh?" Albedo said as he entered the door, "Now Naruto, on a completely different topic I require your full attention."
"Huh? What's the problem?" Naruto's ears perked at the sound of Albedo's worried tone.
"We have another situation on our hands." Albedo declared as he indicated towards the doorway behind him, as Charmcaster entered the room. "Meet Charmcaster."
"Woah." Naruto said as he got up from his seat, "Is she..?" Naruto started, looking at the rather unique way the young lady was dressed.
"I am afraid so." Albedo nodded, "Yet her method of arrival was different to mine, she had no choice but to enter here."
"Different?"
"You see, in my world, interestingly enough Magic exists too. She's quite the capable sorceress, yet she could only open a portal here from a place she was at. I have been messing around with the possibility of the portal that brought me here interfering with other such means of travel in my head."
"Would explain the random occurrences somewhat. I mean this portal thing opened way too frequently since you came here, even if one of them was caused on your world's end." Naruto sighed, "We should talk about it a bit inside. Oh right, nice to meet you, I'm Naruto." the blond ninja gleefully greeted the young sorceress, yet she did not respond.
"Albedo?" she asked, slightly tugging on the alien's jacket.
"What seems to be the problem?"
"I can't understand what he's saying." Charmcaster declared with a flustered look.
"Oh my, that is quite the conundrum." Albedo nodded in agreement.
"What's the problem?" Naruto asked.
"Seems you two cannot understand each other."
"OH! I forgot about the possibility of a language barrier." Naruto facepalmed, "I got too used to you."
"Don't you have some magic for that though Charmcaster?"
"I do have a spell that lets me understand all languages, and I did try it, but it seems it only works on languages in our world. Or at least languages I know exist." she sighed, "This truly is a different world."
"Do you think it would work if we supplied you with reading material from this world?"
"That could work. I could probably analyze it and modify the spell that way." Charmcaster nodded.
"Well, we cannot do that for today, but fret not, I have a semi-effective universal translator set up in the bedroom."
"Nice."
"I made it, repurposing my phone." Albedo chuckled, "Seeing as there is no use for it here."
"Even better." Charmcaster giggled herself.
"You are just adorable when you smile." Albedo declared absent mindedly, "Not many people could be so honestly happy, not many I have seen anyways." he then turned around to see a confused Charmcaster, staring at him with wide eyes. "My, did I say something bad?" he then almost immediately caught on to what he said, "Oh... I see. That did come out wrong." he sighed as they got near the bedroom. 'Human terminology always eludes me in the critical moments.' Albedo thought.
As the trio entered the bedroom, Charmcaster and Naruto finally being able to understand each other exchanged greetings and some general information about themselves. That was when the trio actually began to talk about whatever might be the reason behind these interdimensional mishaps. Yet, as of now, without further clues or the like they could come up with nothing productive.
"I must say you adapted quite quickly Charm." Albedo declared looking at the sorceress, "You were barely here for three hours and yet you already are feeling at home. Yet it took me half my time being here."
"Charm?" Charmcaster raised an eyebrow.
"I am sorry, it was just a bother to always say your full name." Albedo sighed, "Yet I call most people on their full name. Was it rude?"
"I don't really mind." the sorceress shrugged with a smile, "And yeah, they always say that a good sorceress is always prepared and can always adapt. Guess I'm like that."
"Still, with your magic still being usable, we at least have access to Ledgerdomain do we not?" Albedo pointed out, "Not that I see much good that would do us."
"Ledgerwhatnow?" Naruto asked with a face that screamed confusion.
"It's regarded as the origin of magic where we come from." Charmcaster summarized, "I wanted to go back to Earth from there, since I intended my trip inside to be a quick one, yet this was the only place I could open a gate to. Haven't actually tried going back though."
"Well, we can try in the morning." Albedo declared, "For now, it is just good to see someone from my world, even if that someone is a person I met today for the first time."
"The feeling's mutual I feel." Charmcaster smiled, "Still gonna have a hard time adjusting to the fact that you look like Ben, save for the color scheme, but at the same time act completely different."
"You will have time." Albedo chuckled. "I mean, from what I hear you were not on a friendly basis the last time, yet now that we meet you talk of him as a friend rather than a rival or an enemy."
"I mean we did work together a couple times, but I did it mostly for personal gain." Charmcaster admitted with a sigh, "I can't say I changed too much but I'm trying to. Never thought friends could help you through so many problems."
"Tell me about it." Albedo nodded with a chuckle, "Friends are humanity's greatest virtue it seems."
"Even if you're not human?" Naruto asked with a grin.
"Well, you know my blond friend, at this point I am more human than the Galvan I once was." Albedo admitted as he fell back and lay on the floor, looking at Star making her web in the corner, "Oh, right. Charmcaster, I have yet to introduce you to another one of my friends."
"Oh?" the woman raised an eyebrow once more in question.
"Star dear, could you come down?" he called to the spider.
"Huh? Oh y-yeah, just a sec." a young sounding feminine voice came, seemingly without source, surprising Charmcaster a bit.
"What was that just now?" she asked, "A ghost?"
"No. A spider." Albedo smiled as said creature slowly descended to his hand from a makeshift 'parachute'. "A shy spider."
"I-I'm not shy." Star protested, "I'm just afraid of everything that's bigger than me."
Charmcaster looked at the small creature for a couple seconds before smiling warmly, "She's so cute!"
"Thank you!" Star proudly 'smiled', which was basically her putting her front legs in a motion that resembled humans putting their hands on their waist, with little success.
"My, are you a fan of spiders perchance?"
"Yeah." Charmcaster nodded, "They're really nice creatures, quite hardworking too." she then thought for a second, "Hold on, this translator is capable of translating non-human 'speech' too?"
"As it would seem, yes." Albedo nodded, "It far exceeded my expectations if I might be honest. I mean the range went as far as 80 meters from the source when I just repurposed a smart phone."
"How did people not notice?"
"What makes you think they did not?" Albedo chuckled, "I needed to tell a lot of people why they could suddenly speak with birds and dogs."
"And nobody questioned how it's all possible."
"Seems that just him walking around with me is enough for people to not wonder too much." Naruto declared before sighing, "I wonder if that's a good sign or not." to that statement the trio plus spider shared a laugh.
"For now, I do believe it is better for us to continue these talks in the morning. It is getting to be quite late, plus if you were to stay here, we must introduce you to some people tomorrow anyhow."
"Not like we have a choice right?" Charmcaster smiled, though she seemed a tad dejected.
"You can sleep in the room next door, I'll go make your bed."
"Thanks, but I can sleep on the floor too."
"No. Please, I couldn't do that. You're a guest."
"But by the looks of it Albedo sleeps on the floor too." Charmcaster pointed out.
"Oh, the room that is going to be yours was officially mine." Albedo declared, "Yet after two nights of me finding myself between Naruto's bed and the table, I just opted that I sleep here instead."
"Oh. Having sleeping troubles?" the young sorceress asked as she stood up.
"Sometimes, yes." Albedo admitted, "Half the time I do not even have a clue what causes them, the other times I just simply cannot fall asleep. Probably because I have not actually slept in a bed in a long while. I might have just gotten used to the hard ground."
"You had it that rough?" Naruto and Charmcaster asked in almost perfect unison, which caused them to look at each other with a smile for a second.
"Never really found it problematic, after all after my first escape attempt I was a wanted fugitive." Albedo pointed out, "Yet with all my pointlessly effortless plans of destroying Benjamin or just simply taking the device back for my foolish ideas, I seem to have lost even the willingness of looking for comfort."
"You wanted to destroy Ben?!" Charmcaster asked, quoting the alien.
"It is better to say that I was hell-bent on doing so." Albedo corrected, "I was blinded by my rage towards my supposed father, and I took it all out on Ben... How foolish."
"Woah." Charmcaster was stunned, "Even if this was a really 'in a nutshell' kind of explaining that's still a lot sadder than I thought, you told your buddies here?"
"Of course. I was reluctant at first, yet I feel that secrets just cause more unnecessary conflict down the line." Albedo then quickly stood up and slapped himself lightly, "Now, this is no time for such melancholy talk, young lady, I believe it is nigh time you slept."
"Whatever you say old man." Charmcaster mock-smugly declared. The trio laughed at the statement before they each headed off to sleep.
Friedkin University, East of Bellwood, America, Earth, Summer, 2014 A.D.
The Proto-TRUK pulled up in front of the large university building, which gave off a sinister vibe, yet all that went there knew better. Ben, Max and Rook disembarked from the vehicle as Ben took a deep breath, "Here we go. Let's get this over with." As the trio neared the entrance however, they saw a panicky Hex rush through the main entrance. "Hex?" Ben asked as the man held onto him.
"Benjamin! A pleasant surprise. Now if only Helena was a dear and left me alone." Hex hastily summarized his situation.
"If you're here I nee-"
"I'll help in whatever I can if we can change locations post haste."
"Sure." Ben nodded as he transformed into Astrodactyl and in a matter of seconds they were on the other side of the university, away from prying eyes. "Note to self, never carry more than three people with Astrodactyl." Ben wheezed as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Thank you for that Ben." Hex chuckled nervously, before straightening himself out "Now, what brings you three here?"
"Has Gwen returned yet?" Rook asked rather quickly.
"Gwendolyn? Can't say I've seen her." Hex admitted, "But she should be back by now. Is there a problem?"
"We can't get into Ledgerdomain." Ben declared, his expression serious.
"What?" Hex went wide eyed, "At all?"
"No, Miss Tennyson tried it herself according to our information, yet she was unsuccessful. That is why we are here, to see if we could get in contact with Charmcaster." Rook summarized.
"If we can't talk to her either than we might have a really big problem Hex." Ben declared.
"How big?" Hex barely dared ask, worry about his niece filling his mind.
"Currently not that big, but if given time it might expand to a universal scale." Max declared, "Not the best odds."
"Come on then!" Hex beckoned them to follow him, "I'm worried about Hope if anything."
"I'm sure she's fine." Ben tried to reassure the retired sorcerer.
"What makes you so sure?" Hex asked, in a rather skeptical tone.
"I have toured the universe with her for a year Hex. She's a tough cookie." Ben chuckled, "A little something like this won't be enough to stop her, yet I still want to make sure she's okay... That's why we need Gwen."
"Ah, yes. Gwendolyn could be of great help to your cause." Hex nodded, "It has certainly been a while since I myself have talked with my niece... I mean, I had no clue about this little adventure of yours." Hex sighed. "And now I am of no help at all, my magic has been steadily depleting, and is not nearly as powerful as it once was. I am but a humble teacher now."
"Don't worry about that." Ben tried to reassure the retired sorcerer, "Also, it technically was an accident that she came along, but in the end we left as friends. Good friends I'd like to believe. Sure is an improvement to the past." Ben declared with a smile that seemed somewhat longing.
Hex looked at the boy for a couple seconds before smiling himself, "I believe we should check if your cousin is here then." he suggested, "Let us proceed."
"Yeah." Ben nodded, snapping out from his memory, "Let's go."
Kevin's Workshop, Friedkin University, East of Bellwood, America, Earth, Summer, 2014 A.D.
The group of four arrived in front of Kevin's own workshop. It has been three days since Ben unsuccessfully left this place so his memory was sore, yet he somehow could not bring himself to blame them. 'I might have overreacted... No I definitely did... I really should let go of the past, it ain't gonna help anyone. Especially not Albedo... or me.'
"Anybody here?" Ben steeled himself as he called out, "Kevin? Gwen?"
At the sound of his name, Kevin came in from a room next door, "Ben..?" he asked as he set his eyes on everyone, "And company." he looked Ben in the eyes but could not bring himself to maintain eye contact for too long, "What is it?"
"Where's Gwen Kevin?" Ben questioned, "Is she back yet?"
"Why do you care?" Kevin grudgingly asked. Ben's expression turned to sour as he was holding back what he knew would be another outburst.
"I'm not here over a petty struggle Kevin!" He answered as modestly as he could, "There's more to this then we previously thought, this whole portal business. But that's not the important thing. What's important here is the fact that Ledgerdomain is in possibly great danger, and as it was made evident we have zero way of entering." the brunette summarized, "We need Gwen, maybe she can contact Charmcaster. She's our only hope of knowing what's happening inside that world."
Kevin went slightly wide eyed at the expression Ben was giving him, it has been a while, if ever, that he has Ben as serious as he was now, "She should be arriving any minute now, or so she told me." he said in the end, giving in.
"Well then, now we wait." Rook concluded with a sigh.
It did not take long however for Kevin's words to hold true as Gwen opened the door to the workshop a mere 10 minutes later. "Did I miss a party?" she asked, announcing her presence as she set her sights on her grandfather, her favorite teacher and the Revonnahgander, but mostly her cousin was the one that caught her eye. "Ben."
"Gwen." Ben returned the awkward greeting his cousin gave him as he turned towards her, "We need your help." he declared with determination.
"With what?" the redhead asked, slightly intrigued at the weird gathering of people.
"Do you have a spell to somehow contact Charmcaster?"
"Charmcaster?"
"As you know Ledgerdomain is inaccessible, yet no human life signs could be picked up on our scanners..." Rook began, "But a portal of the same caliber as the one that took Albedo was opened recently inside the realm. We have reason to believe that Charmcaster has had the same fate as the Galvan."
"Charmcaster too?!" Gwen snapped in surprise.
'Oh, so now you're interested?' Ben thought in annoyance, 'I believe one year ago you would have had the same reaction as with Albedo.'
"I should have a spell that could act as a video chat." Gwen declared as she picked up her spell book and started flipping through the pages, "All we need is a mirrored surface."
"I got you covered." Kevin declared with a grin as he opened his car's doors, flipped a small switch and the whole car turned its paint into a highly reflective material.
"Why do you have this?" Ben asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Hey, you never know when a mirror is gonna come in handy." Kevin shrugged, "Like right now."
"Fair point." Rook nodded.
"There it is!" Gwen exclaimed happily, "Now let's just hope she has a mirror nearby." the girl sighed.
As Gwen said the chant for the spell, the mirrored surface on the side of the car swirled around like the portal in the form of a circle for a couple minutes before it turned to black. Another two minutes passed in silence as everyone was anxiously awaiting the outcome. That was when a clear view of a room showed in the circle.
"Huh? What's this?" came the unmistakable voice of Charmcaster from the other side of the connection, "Why is the mirro- Wait, is this a spell?!" in a rather cartoonic fashion the girl immediately got up from the bed and went over to the mirror, only to see Gwen, Ben and about three others staring back at her, "Guys?!"
"Charmcaster!" Ben and Gwen simultaneously exclaimed happily.
"Wait, how could you guys reach me over here?" Charmcaster asked, raising both her eyebrows.
"What do you mean here?" Ben asked with slight concern, "Where are you?"
"I'm kinda stuck in another world." Charmcaster declared sheepishly.
"Huh?!" the cousins synced up perfectly in their surprise.
"Another world?" Ben went wide eyed, "That's where those portals lead?"
"Oh no, I got here on my own." Charmcaster corrected, "I mean I couldn't exit anywhere from Ledgerdomain, so when this came up you can believe I was happy to get out, though this is not what I expected by a landslide."
"Are you in any danger?!" Hex suddenly got between the cousins with a worried look on his face.
"Uncle Hex?!" Charmcaster had a mix of happiness and surprise visible on her face, "You're here too?"
"Of course I'm here Hope!" Hex declared confidently, "You're my precious niece. I would stop at nothing to know of your well-being."
"Even after..." Charmcaster began, as she was honestly touched by her uncle's words, "Even after all the things I did?"
"Hey, we wouldn't be family without fighting every now and then."
"Fights in your family must be nice if a little quarrel made Charmcaster turn into a dragon." Kevin commented before being shoved by Gwen, causing the mood to lighten and everybody to chuckle a little.
"Are you positive of your well-being?" Rook asked.
"Yeah, though this world is completely different to the one we know, I mea-"
"I heard shouting, is there a problem Charmcaster?" Ben's voice came from near Charmcaster suddenly, causing everyone on Ben's end to shut up, and Ben amongst all people to go wide eyed.
"Ah no, I just had some interesting 'visitors'." Charmcaster emphasized the word with air quotation marks.
"Visitors you say?" the voice chuckled as he got closer, "How about tha-" however he immediately shut up as he got into full view next to the young sorceress, it was undeniably Albedo. "My, this certainly makes for an interesting morning."
"Albedo..." Ben declared, as if not believing his eyes.
"Benjamin." the doppelganger smiled back at Ben, "It has been a while."