After Many Dates: Danny and Makoto

by NeoMark

Based on "The Many Dates of Danny Fenton" by Flower Princess 11. See Danny and Makoto's first date from her perspective and everything that they deal with when they become a couple.

18. Chapter 18: Battle at the Beach

Battle at the Beach: Love Triangles and Old Friends

The bus left at about 8 AM.

They have been ready since the crack of dawn and some were still a little groggy.

"Are we there yet? Usagi asked, before yawning.

"We should be there in about another hour..." Ami said, since the closest beach wasn't that close to Juuban.

"Did we pack everything?" Danny asked.

"Just about." Makoto responded as she checked her duffel bag.

Inside, was their swim suits, spare clothes, drinks and lunch too.

I'm gonna see her in a swimsuit… best trip ever! Danny thought.

Danny was reaching for his water when his eyes briefly passed the one person on the bus he didn't want to be around.

Mamoru Chiba.

The older boy sent him a dirty look.

Danny sent it back.

While they were willing to remain civil for their respective loves, it didn't change that they had a not-so-good introduction.

I got my eyes on you, punk... Mamoru thought as he did the gesture.

Danny sent him a glare.

Try me, Jerk... He thought.

Both of them sent icy glares at each other.

Their girlfriends noticed.

"Mamo…" Usagi said, almost a warning. "You promised…"

"Yeah… don't get into a fight, please?" Chibiusa asked.

Mamoru sighed.

"Sorry… I know you asked me to, but I don't trust him…" He said.

''Why?" Chibiusa asked.

In hindsight, she should be the one suspicious of Danny, not Mamo, but she can't tell them that.

"I just don't..." He said.

Usagi frowned.

On the other side of the bus, Danny and Makoto were having a similar conversation.

"Danny-kun?" Makoto held to his arm. "I know you and Mamoru didn't have the best of introductions but he's still Usagi's boyfriend."

Danny sighed before smiling to her.

"Don't worry… I'll try to keep my attention to you and not him…"

She smiled and nodded.

Meanwhile, on the other end, a certain blonde girl pouted.

"This isn't fair… is it?" Minako grumbled. "We're the only ones now without boyfriends…"

"I knew it was too good to be true that Summer…" Rei said with her arms crossed.

"It's not like they didn't like us… they can't see us." Minako said.

"Yeah… that is true." Rei said, calming down.

"Then again, Danny and Mako couldn't see each other either and they made it work out..." Minako grumbled.

Rei heard it and got depressed again.

"That's also true…"

Minako looked at the back of Danny's seat with a small frown.

It's not fair… is it? I'm happy for her… but I had a thing for the Ghost Boy for months. What rotten luck is there that he and the love of Mako's life are one and the same?

Her expression became a bit sadder. Sitting between Rei and Ami, Minako had her eyes on the back of Danny's seat.

Rei noticed this.

"Minako?" Rei asked.

"Hmm?" She shook her head.

"Look… if being around him-"

"I'm fine…" Minako said with a small smile. "For all I know, there's going to be another teenage superhero, one who isn't tied down… right Ami?" There was no answer. "Ami?"

It was now they noticed Ami was just staring blankly out the window. Her mind was elsewhere.

Unknown to them, her mind WAS on a teenage superhero.

One she knew personally, and has seen on the news lately.

They say he's got a case… but the way he disappeared didn't sit right… She thought, thinking of the video of Ben disappearing during an interview.

She knew that he was strong and resourceful, but it did not keep her from worrying.

She just hopes that he is okay.

"Ami?" Rei asked, poking her shoulder.

"Y-Yes?" Ami asked.

"That's weird… you stared at the window for 10 whole minutes. Usually you'd be telling us not to go too wild or we'd use up our studying skills or something…" Minako said.

"Oh uh…" She laughed nervously. "It's just one day during Spring Break after all…"

Both of them just blinked, unsure what to think.

---

Meanwhile, about a few miles away.

Esmeraude teleported to this stretch of woods, away from prying eyes.

She grunted as she observed her surroundings.

"It's bad enough I have to be the one work with these… monsters…" She said under her breath before shouting. "Where are you, you freaks?!"

That's when a ghost she's not familiar with phases out of the trees and glared at her.

"Freaks?! You dare to talk like that to me! … Technus!"

"Enough…" Skulker said, phasing out of the trees and getting between them. "We're almost finished adding a few… upgrades to his new robot body." Skulker said.

Esmeraude crossed her arms.

"This better work…"

"Pfft… or what? From I gathered, you've been unable to beat these Sailor girls…" Skulker scoffed at her.

Esmeraude gritted her teeth.

"You're lucky Prince Demande sees this partnership's worth…"

"I feel so fortunate…" Skulker said with sarcasm.

Esmeraude gritted her teeth. She wanted to hit him but remembers Prince Demande's orders and refrained.

For now, at least.

"Now… how are we to find them?" Esmeraude asked.

"I've been unable to use my tracker to pinpoint an exact location due to all of the traces of magic and other spiritual energy getting in my way here in Japan…" Skulker said. He then heard a pinging from his wrist. "What's this?"

''What is it?" Esmaurade demanded.

''I am picking up on a certain energy...a ghostly kind..." Skulker said with meaning in his voice.

"You mean you can find him now?" Technus asked.

"He must have gone this far out…" Skulker said. However, the signal is lost, much to his annoyance. "GRARH! My battery's out… But I do know what direction they went… towards the beach."

"Fine… as long as this works…" Esmeraude said. "So, you'll send them to your… Ghost Universe?"

"Ghost Zone, and no. Instead, we'll send one of those girls to another world… one where he can't save them…"

Esmeraude smirked.

"Well… as long as at least one of those Sailor brats is out of my hair, this will a glorious day. Ohohohoho…" She gave her laugh with a hand at her face.

Both Skulker and Technus made faces at this.

"What is she doing?" Technus asked, feeling a bit annoyed.

"I have no idea… the one named Sapphir says she's does this too often…" Skulker responded with a scowl.

She heard that and got mad.

"SHUT UP!" Esmeraude shouted with a comically angry expression.

---

On a bus stop, Ben stirred awake.

He yawned loudly and sat up, stretching his arms out.

"What time is it… locally?" He asked.

He looked to the writing on the bench and groaned.

Unless I'm wrong… that's Japanese lettering.

As he got up and stretched his back, given he had to sleep here, he had a thought.

"Am I… on the right Earth?" Ben held the Ultimatrix to his face and adjusted the dial to activate the radio. "Grandpa Max?

"Ben?!" Max went, sounding worried. "Where are you?!"

Ben sighed.

"Good… I'm on the right Earth…" He said.

"Right… Earth?" Max asked.

"Long story… the only part I can tell you now is I ended up in the Null Void and someone opened another portal." Ben explained.

"Someone else has a Null Void projector? Huh… that might be trouble. Alright, figure out where you are and destroy it…" Max ordered.

"Got it." Ben said. "Better let everyone know I'm okay."

"Roger." Max went.

Ben nodded and hit the Omnitrix. He morphed into an old friend.

"XLR8!" The blue alien went before noticing he's alone. "Oh… right… nobody around… Eh…"

He then went zooming away.

---

Here he stood, looking at the ocean. He was in his swim trunks and, after some convincing from Makoto, no undershirt.

"Whoa… so here I am, on a Japanese beach." Danny said out loud.

"Here we go!" Minako said proudly.

As Danny inched his head to his right, he saw the four best friends of his lady love walk past him. All of them in swimsuits.

Usagi and Rei each had a one-piece of pink and red respectively. Ami had a white top with blue bottom, while Minako had white with an orange bottom. He could've sworn Minako might have sent him a wink.

He looked away, turning red.

I have a girlfriend… do not stare…

"Danny?"

He turned when he heard her voice and his jaw hit the ground.

She wore a pink bikini top with a green pair at the bottom.

His face turned red as he stared a bit too long at her chest.

"Whoa…"

She blushed and smiled.

"Ya like?" She asked.

"Absolutely…" He said, feeling breathless right now.

She smiled.

"Good to know…"

While they talked, Minako couldn't help but look over shoulder and smiled.

"I see fighting ghosts does wonders for his body…"

"Minako…" Ami said in a warning. "Don't think about it…"

"She didn't say I can't look, did she?" Minako said with a playful smile.

The rest of the girls just sighed in exasperation.

Meanwhile, the cats were observing from a far as Artemis just relaxed, laying on the sand.

"Artemis, what are you doing?" Luna asked.

"Relax, Luna… no ghosts, no Black Moon Clan, and above all, no dog…" He said.

Then there was some barking as they saw, to their left, a few dogs of the physical world coming after them, much to their shock.

"Spoke to soon…" Luna said as they both made a break for it.

---

While Danny and Lita were having fun, two other groups of girls just arrived to the beach.

It is Fu with her Hero Club, as well as Mio and the light music club.

"Okay! Hero Club, time for us to enjoy a beach day!" Fu shouted proudly.

"Yes!" Yuna went along with her.

"This is gonna be great..." Fu said proudly.

Meanwhile, the girls of Afterschool Tea Time set up just several feet away.

The girls admired the beautiful beach, happy to be here.

"Alright! Let's just enjoy the day while we can!" Ritsu said proudly.

"Amen, Ri-chan!" Mugi went.

"How long until the repairs are finished?" Azusa asked.

"About another day." Mio said before glaring at Ritsu. "I told you to be careful with your drumsticks…"

Ritsu shrugged.

"How was I supposed to know the window was that breakable?" She asked.

Mio quickly smacked her in the head.

"I warned you!"

Before Ritsu could whine, Yui notice something, or rather someone, that was familiar.

"Mio-Chan!" Yui went as she pointed forward. "Look!"

Mio turned her head and her face turned red.

''Oh my..."

Meanwhile, with the Hero Club.

"Hey, Fu?" Karin pointed towards the vending machine. "Isn't that your boyfriend?"

There he is, that cute American boy... Fu thought as a blushed form on her face as she saw him at vending machine, getting a drink.

She didn't see anyone around.

Fu smiled, getting an idea.

After all, she is wearing her best bikini and he's here. Maybe it's a second chance for her and this Danny.

"I'm off to say hi!" She said proudly.

"But… didn't he say he has a girlfriend?" Togo reminded her.

"Girl power! Especially when that girl is me!" Fu said proudly.

Her friends and sister all groaned.

The blonde girl decided to go for it.

"I should go too…" Itsuki said, sounding embarrassed. "Since those two will barely understand each other."

Unknown to Fu, she wasn't the only girl to arrive in a swimsuit, or have interest in that cute American boy.

Mio had just arrived to the beach with her friends, Ritsu and the rest of the band, saw him too.

Her face turned red.

There he is... Mio thought as she blushed at the sight of him in his swim wear. She looked down at herself and remembered her own attire.

"And I'm half-naked right now…"

Ritsu grinned, realizing Danny is still on her mind.

"Go talk to him." Ritsu said, practically pushing her.

"What?!" Mio went.

"You'll never know, maybe it's fate." Yui said with a smile.

"But… doesn't he have a girlfriend?" Azusa reminded.

"Yeah, but might be a sign!" Ritsu said before grinning once more. "So, give it a go, Mio!"

Mio turned red with shyness.

"I...I don't know..." Mio said.

"As Azusa-chan said, he has a girlfriend. This doesn't seem right." Mugi asked.

"Mio needs to get out of her shell…" Ritsu said as she pushed Mio.

Sighing, Mio walked ahead.

"May as well give it a go."

As she walked, Ritsu grinned.

"May as well go see for myself…"

She was about to go, but her friends called out to her.

"Are you sure, Ri-chan?" Yui said.

"I've waited years for Mio to show an interest in anyone. The fact that it's a boy means that if it works out, I might be hearing kids calling me "Aunt Ritsu" or something…" Ritsu said as she kept walking.

As Fu and Mio walked, they both accidentally bump into each other.

"Oh, sorry…" Mio went.

"It's okay." Fu went with a smile.

Both Fu and Mio saw Danny approach of group of girls, who all looked happy to see him.

This left both girls confused.

I wonder which of them is his girlfriend? Both girls thought.

However, the two girls saw Danny say something and the girls laughed and a blonde one in a bikini blushed before the other blonde, with a bunhead hairstyle, ribbed her to make her stop.

A different theory entered their heads.

Does he have a harem? Or does he naturally attract very pretty girls? Fu and Mio at the same time wondered.

Fu and Mio did not know how to feel about this idea but Fu crossed her arms, looking jealous while Mio felt miserable.

Their companions watched from a distance.

Itsuki saw the look on her sister's face and become worried.

"She's going to see all of them as a form of competition…" Itsuki said under her breath, feeling miserable.

Ritsu saw the look of defeat Mio had.

"Dang, Mio has heavier competition than we thought…" Ritsu muttered.

Both girls became aware of the other and overheard each other.

"Wait… is your friend interested in that boy?" She asked.

"Yeah, and her too?" Ritsu asked.

"Yes, that's my big sis…" Itsuki said.

Danny then left to and headed in the direction of the restroom, near the vending machine, when he saw the two.

"Hey, wait… I know you two." Danny said to Fu and Mio. "Your sister and your friend gave me directions…"

'He remembers me... Both girls thought, blushing a bit.

Fu had a big grin while Mio turned red and tried inching away.

"Sorry… are we bothering you?" Mio asked.

"No, not at all…" Danny responded.

"Okay!" Fu went. "Me… uh, I am Fu! Remember, Danny?" Fu went with her broken English.

"Yes, Fu. I remember." Danny said.

Fu blushed.

"Remember me, Danny?" Mio went quietly.

"Yeah, of course, Mio." Danny said. "You're the left-handed bassist."

Mio blushed and smiled.

Fu quickly sensed a form of competition from Mio.

"I can cook!" Fu said proudly to upstage her.

"Huh… neat." Danny said.

Fu grinned while Mio felt some form of competition.

''I...I have high grades and write all the songs for our band, I don't think Mugi said that." Mio said, blushing.

Fu sent her a nasty look, while Danny raised a brow.

"Huh? Cool, I guess..." He said casually.

Fu frowned harder and decided to kick it up a notch.

"I leader of Hero Club...President!" Fu said.

"Or… or… sometimes I sing!" Mio said, ignoring the glare Fu sent her.

Danny blinked at them two, not realizing that they're competing with each other for his interest.

Before Danny could say anything, Makoto just came back from the restroom.

"Lita?"

"Danny-kun?" She said with a smile. She then noticed the other girls. "Something wrong?"

"No, I met these girls when I was on my way to see you. They, or their friends, gave me directions."

She smiled.

"I see…"

"Who is she?" Fu asked, surprised by the height of this girl and how strong looking she seems to be.

Mio's jaw dropped.

"Who is this giant?" She asked under her breath, seeing her figure. "She's more developed than Mugi…"

Danny smiled.

"Ladies, this is Makoto, my girlfriend..." Danny said proudly.

Meanwhile, Fu and Mio were floored.

THIS IS HIS GIRLFRIEND?! They all thought.

Itsuki's jaw dropped while Ritsu looked clueless.

"What'd they say? I ain't too good with English…"

"That's his girlfriend…" Itsuki filled her in.

Once it hit, Ritsu flinched and stepped back.

"That's HER?!" Ritsu blinked. "Oh wow… and I thought Mio and Mugi were hotties…"

Fu and Mio examine the girl.

She is very, VERY tall, even taller than Mio and while she looks very feminine, she is pretty buff looking too. Still, she was the girl who had the heart of the boy they both had a fondness for but the two girls were still having trouble processing this.

Look at her! If she had a hero form, she'd tear apart the Hero Club and the Vertexes in seconds! Fu thought, both jealous and terrified.

She's huge! And people think I'm tall… Mio thought, easily afraid.

Makoto, however, smiled at them.

"Hello there." She said in Japanese.

Suddenly, both girls felt more relaxed.

She seems nice… They thought.

Part of them were upset though, since that meant they had less reason to hate her now.

Danny, unaware of what they were thinking, spoke up next.

"Well… tell your sister and friend thanks for me again." Danny said.

''Oh...okay..." They went.

"Thanks..." Danny said, smiling.

"You are welcome..." Fu went in a robotic tone.

"Okay." Mio went.

As they walked away, both girls still kept staring in their direction.

"How… how can that be…?" Fu asked.

"I know… she's so tall, yet so nice… and with someone so much shorter…" Mio went.

Fu, however, had a twinkle in her eyes.

"I'm not giving up!" She said. "I'm gonna show how tough and cool I am!"

"Huh?!" Mio went.

Fu walked away, grinning.

"Now… I'm off to make a plan to look cool."

"Are you planning on stealing someone's boyfriend?" Mio asked.

"No… I'm trying to show him I'm a cool girl… and if he suddenly falls for me then that works…"

"That's totally stealing someone's boyfriend…" Mio pointed out.

Fu sighed.

"Let's start this over… I'm Fu Inubozaki…"

"Mio Akiyama." Mio responded.

"Well… Akiyama…" Fu grinned. "I'll be sure to thank you for forfeiting…" She gave a thumb's up.

Mio gasped at that.

"You're kidding! What if I wanna try?!"

Fu scoffed.

"Go ahead…" She said.

Mio sent a glare at her.

"Maybe I will, but just so you know, I have my eye in you..." She said with anger in her voice.

"I accept your challenge..." Fu said confidently before she marched back to her friends.

"Fu? What happened? Who was that giant girl?" Yuna asked.

"That was his girlfriend…" Itsuki said.

The rest of the Hero Club's jaw dropped.

"… what?" They went.

"Not for long!" Fu went with a grin. "Now… how do I impress him?"

''You just said that he has a girlfriend..." Yuna pointed out.

"Are you gonna try and steal someone's boyfriend?" Togo asked in a disapproving fashion. "That is rather unladylike."

"Not to mention, very unheroic for the Hero Club…" Karin said with arms crossed.

"No...no...Like I told that other girl, I am just going to show him how cool I am and if he falls for me...well, that works..."

"That is SO trying to steal someone's boyfriend..." Her friends and sister all said in unison, while Fu ignored them.

Meanwhile, Mio was currently looking for something.

"Why didn't I bring my bass?!" Mio went, looking through her stuff.

The rest of the club stared at her incredulously, save for an amused Ritsu.

"Because… this is a beach… where you can't plug it in." Azusa pointed out.

"Mio-chan, you aren't thinking of stealing someone's boyfriend, are you?" Yui asked.

"That girlfriend was quite lovely… he indeed has good choice." Mugi went. "That may not go in your favor."

"Um… are we forgetting this is kind of… wrong?" Azusa asked.

"It's Mio's first love… let her try." Ritsu said, more interested in watching than anything.

---

Fu smirked as an idea formed on her face.

"What is it?" Yuna asked.

"Let's play some volleyball..." Fu suggested.

"You mean play volleyball around that boy? Who might or might not care about volleyball?" Karin asked.

Fu took out the volleyball.

"Worth a try, right?"

"Y'know Sis…" Itsuki said. "Maybe you should offer to play with his whole group rather than just us in front of them."

"Good idea, Itsuki… that way he and I can be on the same team!" Fu went.

"That's not what I- oh… nevermind..." Itsuki said.

When Fu has a boy on her mind, it'd take the Vertexes to get her head straight.

Fu then approached Danny's group to invite them to play a game, only to see Mio was already there, talking to Danny.

Fu glared at her.

She's more formidable than I thought... She thought as she got closer and heard what the conversation is about.

"You see...I am currently trying to work on a song and...I would like some advice for lyrics..." Mio said in a shy fashion.

Danny looked at the page while showing it to Makoto, Minako and Rei.

"I bet I could help you out!" Minako said.

"I like what you have…" Rei said.

"Oh… you do?" Mio asked.

Danny blinked for a moment as they spoke.

"Huh…"

"What is it, Danny?" Makoto asked.

"Nothing… just…" He gestured to Rei and Mio. "For a second there, you two sounded alike…"

"Huh?" Both girls went before looking at each other. "I see black hair is the only comparison we have…" They spoke in unison.

Danny blinked.

Really? They kind of sound the same to me…

"So… um… do you have any pointers or suggestions, Danny?" Mio asked shyly.

"I'd like to help Mio but...I don't really know anything about Japanese song structure..." Danny explained.

Mio deflated, while Fu grinned smugly.

"You struck out, Akiyama…" She said. "My turn!"

"Still…" Mio cheered up. "Thank you two for the offer." As Rei and Minako nodded, Mio saw Fu approached and frowned. "Inubozaki…" She muttered.

Before Danny could answer, someone approached.

"Yo!" Fu went with one of the few English words she's good at.

"Oh, hi Fu..." Danny said.

"Hi Danny-kun..." Fu said.

As everyone else was oblivious to what she was up to, Mio sent her glare.

Not a chance, Inubozaki…

Fu grinned at her.

Beat this, Akiyama…

"Me and friends and you play volleyball?" She asked Danny.

Everyone sweat dropped at her rather broken English.

"You know… while Danny's not too good with Japanese… the rest of us are…" Rei pointed out in Japanese.

Fu blushed in embarrassment.

"Oh… I… see…" She said. "Uh… I was asking if anyone here plays volleyball?"

"Cool, volleyball. Can we play?" Usagi asked.

"Uh, sure...you guys are ALL invited to play against me and my friends..." Fu said while she sent a smug look to Mio.

Beat that, little miss wallflower…

Mio glared at her.

Let's hope your volleyball skills are better than trying to talk to him in his first language…

"What about you, Danny-kun?" Fu asked.

To her dismay, Danny shook his head.

'If it's alright, I think I'll sit this one out..." He said.

"Oh… I see…" Fu went.

Mio couldn't help but smile at this when her friends arrive.

"Volleyball?" Yui went.

All of those not familiar with her stared at the presence of these other girls.

"Yui?" Mio went.

"Let's play!" Yui went, trying to practice English.

"Cool!" Usagi went.

Danny took notice of their voice and stared.

"Friends of yours?" Minako asked Mio.

"Yeah…" She went, slightly embarrassed.

Ritsu then whispered into Mio's ear.

"Play with us. Beat this Fu girl at volleyball to prove which of you is superior…"

Mio looked nervous at the idea, but seeing Fu briefly made her put on her game face.

"I wanna play too!" Mio said, getting up.

Usagi got up.

"Let's go!"

As the Hero Club and Light Music Clubs were deciding who would play, Usagi was about to follow when Danny spoke up.

"Say, Usagi?"

"Hmm? What's up?"

"Is it me… or did Yui kind of sound like you when she tried English?"

Usagi just stared blankly at that question.

"What do you mean?"

'Uh…" Danny waved his hand. "Nevermind…"

Usagi didn't pay much attention as she looked to everyone else.

"Anyone else wanna come?"

Rei got up.

"Sure… seems like fun."

"What about you, Minako-chan?" Usagi asked.

"I'm kind of taking a break from volleyball at the moment…" Minako said with a smile.

"Alright then…" Usagi said as she and Rei went ahead.

As the two groups of girls welcomes Usagi and Rei, Mio and Fu sent chilling glares at the other before looking to an unsuspecting Danny, who was drinking his soda, before sighing in disappointment he's not involved.

Unknown to the two, unsatisfied girls, Makoto and Minako were both looking at them strangely.

"Mako-chan, did you see that?" Minako asked in Japanese so that Danny didn't hear her.

"I did… it was rather obvious they didn't just come to us for songwriting tips or playing volleyball…" Makoto responded.

They pondered until an idea sprang.

Wait...are they...do they LIKE Danny?" Both Senshi thought at the same time.

They shared a look, realizing they both thought the same thing.

"Oh wow… and you thought I was on the only one with an eye on him…" Minako managed to say.

"Yeah… I knew Danny had other girls in America interested but I didn't think he'd attract any in Japan…" Makoto said.

"I wonder if instant attraction is one of his powers…" Minako wondered out loud.

"Something wrong?" Danny asked them, unaware of what they were saying. Both of them stuttered. He looked to Ami, who was reading a book. "What'd they say?"

Ami chuckled.

"Nothing that you need to worry about." She said.

"Huh?" Danny went.

Mamoru, who stood a few feet behind, couldn't help but make a snide remark in Japanese.

"Clueless fool…"

The girls, sans Chibiusa, who was eating a popsicle, looked to him with disapproval.

"Don't say that about my boyfriend!" Makoto went.

"Yeah, Danny's a great guy." Minako added.

"Besides, he's loyal to Mako so does it matter if he's clueless to those two?" Ami asked.

Danny looked back, then sent a glare at Mamoru.

"Did you make a crack at me in Japanese?"

Both of them sent icy glares at the other before Mamoru sighed and turned away.

"I'm going for a walk… let Usako know I'll be back…" He said, really to get away from Danny.

Once he was gone, everyone took notice of the volleyball game. Namely that it wasn't a match of two teams, but two girls competing for one's attention.

Fu had the upper hand thanks to technically superior physical skills, but Mio showed she was plenty determined and was able to reach in time.

Both of them were gritting their teeth, eager to defeat the other.

All the while the rest stared in disbelief.

"What are they doing?" Yuna asked.

Yui snapped out of it and looked around.

"Ui?" She asked, but saw the person she spoke of absent. "Huh… I thought I heard my sister…"

"That was me…" Yuna said.

"Weird…" Ritsu admitted before looking back to the game and cheered. "Go Mio!"

Usagi and Rei also stared.

"Rei, what's wrong with this picture?"

"The fact that it's a team sport and those two are at it worse than cats and dogs? Or that they're obviously competing for a boy who is taken?" Rei asked.

Everyone else sitting down from afar watched too, also in shock.

"Uh… they do know it's a team sport, right?" Danny asked.

Everyone nodded.

After a moment of shock was gone, Makoto tried to calm herself down with logic.

Okay, calm down. Think...Danny-kun loves me and nothing will change that...besides, one of these girls can barely speak any English and the other is too shy, so I doubt she will try and seduce him... The tall girl thought, calming down.

Minako then whispered into her ear.

"Let's join and talk them out of it… I'll speak to Fu, you to Mio."

"Okay…" Mako nodded before she became suspicious. "And you're helping me why?"

"Look at it this way, even though I admit Danny's cute, I'm less likely to steal him since I know you personally, right?"

Mako sighed.

"I guess that is true…" They got up and Makoto spoke to Danny in English. "I think we'll play after all…"

Danny smiled.

"Good luck Lita..." Danny said, before noticing Minako. "Uh, you too, Mina..." He added.

"Thanks..." Mina said before turning her attention to the game.

"Let's do this." Makoto said.

"Hey!" Minako called out, causing the two girls to stop their small feud and the ball ended up knocking Ritsu down when it hit her in the head. "Can we play too?!"

"Sure, the more the merrier!" Yuna and Yui both said in unison.

Karin couldn't help but smirk.

"You sure you two aren't sisters?"

Meanwhile, Mugi stared a bit at both Makoto and Minako and smiled.

"Your friends… I must say this Danny is indeed popular with girls…" She said.

"Yeah… I guess so." Usagi went.

Rei noticed Mugi staring a bit too long.

"Uh… are you okay?"

"Oh… yes… I mean. I'm just rather… jealous at how those two maintain their figures… since I've gained a few kilos since Spring Break started…" She admitted sheepishly.

"Well, this can help you lose those kilos…" Usagi said friendly.

"Assuming those two don't hog the ball anymore…" Rei snarked.

The girls were now ready to play.

Meanwhile, Danny and the others were watching the game with Ami and Chibiusa.

"So… just the three of us for now?" Danny asked.

It was then they noticed Chibiusa was absent. They saw her approaching the game.

"I wanna see!" She went.

Ami chuckled.

"Well, it's just us…" She then pulled something out of her bag. "Which means it's a perfect opportunity…"

"Uh, for what, Ami?"

She pulled out a clipboard with paper and a pen.

"I still have questions regarding your biology." She said. "Question one: do you think all humans are capable of obtaining these powers of yours? Question two: are you biologically compatible with other species for reproduction, including other ghosts?"

Danny gave a nervous laugh.

''Uh...I don't know..." Danny said.

Chibiusa noticed this and sweat dropped as Ami kept up with the "interview".

---

After a quick game, Minako approached Fu.

"Fu, was it?" She asked.

"Yes?"

"I saw how you look at Danny. Mako does so too…" Minako said.

Fu gasped before facing away.

"I… don't know what you mean…" Fu said.

"I know how you feel. When you find someone you really like, you just really want them to see you the way you do. And when you find out they love someone else, it feels like your heart shattered to pieces, even though they aren't doing it maliciously." She said.

Fu pieced it together.

"Hold on, are you saying-"

"I'm happy for them, I really am." Minako said before sighing a moment. "I'll admit, I wish it were me he holds hands with, but I care about the happiness of all people I love, not just romantically…"

Fu looked and to her surprise, saw that really means what she is saying.

She thought about it and then realized that if Danny loves his girlfriend, she shouldn't be seeing it as a form of challenge.

All I saw was a cute boy… I didn't take anything else into consideration.

"So, while there's nothing wrong with liking him, you know trying to steal him or anything isn't a good thing, especially to Makoto, right?"

Fu nodded.

"I understand."

Minako smiled.

"Good..." She said.

She sent Makoto a thumb's up, while the tall girl approached the shy one on her way to where she was staying.

"I must say Mio, your song's lyrics were beautiful..." Makoto said kindly, making the shy girl stop and blush.

"Oh… uh...you think so?" Mio asked.

Makoto nodded.

"Yes, it is..." Makoto said, smiling. "I would like to hear it when it is ready...I am sure that it will be wonderful..." She said.

Mio heard this and looked down, feeling guilty now.

She is so nice...what am I doing? Mio thought in shame.

"Listen…" Makoto said, getting her attention. "I understand why like him… I'm not saying this as a warning or anything, but please know that I have no desire to be enemies with you…" She said with a smile.

Mio nodded shyly.

"Okay…"

---

"Ami?" Danny asked, slightly tired of her questions.

"Okay... just one more you haven't answered." She said. "Can this power be passed down to your kids?"

"You know... Lita and I are too young to find that out..." He said. "Also... if you're gonna ask me questions, can I ask you a few?"

"Hmm... that would be fair." She said.

"How'd you become a Sco-Sold- superhero?" Danny asked.

"Well... Usagi and I go to the same school. Not a lot of people wanted to be my friend, or even ask for my help on homework, because they thought I was someone who looked down on them. Kind of by accident, Usagi and I met each other. Admittedly, she thought being friends with the smartest kid would help her homework... but then when she showed me a video game and encouraged me... it felt like we genuinely became friends then and there. When my cram school was attacked by a monster, one who used hypnotic programs in the CD I used to try and brainwash me and the other students, she came as Sailor Moon to save us... she even called me her friend. It was there my powers awoke and I became Sailor Mercury..."

"Huh... I see."

If he was just an average person, it would sound too farfetched but he is not and just believed her.

After that, Danny decided to ask more questions since she is one of Lita's friends and he does want to get to know them better.

"Favorite food?"

"Sandwiches, since I can eat with one hand."

"Favorite past time?"

"Aside from reading, swimming."

Then he remembered something else.

"So, you took the dating service too, right?" Danny asked.

"Yes." Ami said.

"Anyone you found your match?"

Ami blushed.

"Well... I don't know if you'll believe me." She said.

Danny smiled.

"I'm a half-human, half-ghost superhero. You're a magical girl who is also the reincarnation of an alien. I'm sure I'll buy it."

"Ben Tennyson." She said quickly before looking down. When she looked up, Danny had a blank expression and she sighed. "I knew you wouldn't believe me..."

"Oh no, it's not that... just that any girl would pick Ben... he's become kind of a glory hog these days."

"You know him?" Ami asked.

"I met him when his cousin was my third date." Danny explained. "So... how'd the date go?"

Ami blushed more as she recounted the date.

''Well, it was 7th day in the service, Ben and I met at the Bellwood train station. I thought he was really cute and funny too. Anyway, we went around town, sightseeing..."

"I see..." Danny commented, buying what she said.

---

FLASHBACK

Ami's train arrived on time as she stepped out.

"So… this is Bellwood?" She asked herself in Japanese.

Okay… better make my English work.

As she got out, she looked around for a boy in a green sweater.

She placed the heart sticker on her white sweater, atop a blue knee-length dress and looked around.

"Is there a B Tennyson?" She asked around. "B Tennyson?"

"Amy the Smart?" A boy's voice asked.

She turned around and saw someone that made her face turn red.

It was an American boy with brown hair, green eyes, a green jacket with a black shirt and a pair of jeans.

Ami, though normally not the kind to fawn over one's looks, couldn't help but blush.

"Y-Yes… yes I am." She said.

Ben nodded.

"I'm Ben Tennyson…" He said.

Ami blinked, almost in recognition.

Huh… his voice feels like I've heard it somewhere…

Ben observed the girl and smiled.

"So… ready for the blind date?" He asked.

Ami smiled.

"Yes… yes I am."

Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. She thought as she followed him.

---

Five minutes later, they were down the street from where Ben was taking her to the pier for a walk.

Ben and Ami would soon arrive to their destination and as they walked together, Ben began with the small talk.

"So, Amy?" Ben asked.

"Actually, it's Ami… Ami Mizuno, from the Juban district in Japan." She said.

"Oh… so… Ami…" Ben corrected himself.

"Yes?" She asked.

"What made you agree to the site?" He asked.

"Our friend, Minako, convinced us…" She responded.

"Really?" Ben said.

Ami nodded.

"Yes, and well, I thought it be nice to try out..." She added, not wanting him to think she did not want to be here.

"That's cool… I mostly did this because my cousin did it, and she did it for a friend. Admittedly, I made fun of her for it, but she and I met some… interesting people." Ben said. "Her third date is pretty cool guy and I hope he picks her."

"So... um... Ben... tell me about yourself..." Ami said, wanting to be polite.

"I'm 15, I go to school here in Bellwood, I like Sumo Slammers and my favorite food is chili fries and smoothies..." Ben said.

"I see…" Ami said.

'What about you?" Ben asked.

Ami blushed a bit, before speaking.

"Well, in September I turn 15 years of age, I'm a straight A student and Juuban Middle school, and my favorite food is sandwiches so that I can eat with one hand while I study..."Ami said in a shy tone.

"Sandwiches, huh?" Ben asked with a smile. "And a straight A student? I think my cousin Gwen would like having a friend like you."

Ami smiled.

"Really?"

"And if you like sandwiches, I know a great place for lunch."

---

At Burger Shack

Ben soon brought Ami to his favorite hangout and Ami looked around.

She read the foreign words and tried to say them out loud.

"Burger... Shack?" She said.

"Yep, this place is my favorite for chili fries..." Ben said.

Well… Americans do like fast food… She thought in amusement.

Ben soon led her to the counter and the cashier greeted them with a friendly smile.

"Tennyson? What'll it be?" The man at the register asked.

"I'll have my usual...and what about you, Ami?" Ben asked.

She read the sign as best as she could and made her order.

"I would like the turkey sandwich, with a side of the normal fries, and the lemonade as my drink." She said.

"Sure thing." The man said.

The man typed it in the cash register and Ben and Amy went to their table to wait for their order.

There, they decided to do some more small talk.

"So… Ami, any sports you like?" Ben asked.

"Swimming." She responded.

"Mine is Soccer… or Football from what I heard is called in Japan."

"Really?" Ami asked.

"I'm the goalie…" He responded.

Ami tried to think of that meaning and remembered.

"Ah, you are the one who keeps the other team from scoring points by guarding the net, right?" Ami asked.

"Yep, MVP last year..." Ben said proudly.

"I see..." Ami said, impressed.

She didn't know a whole lot about that particular sport but even she knew that was an accomplishment.

"When I'm not playing a video game, I love playing Soccer."

"I see, just as my favorite pastime is reading. It's why I enjoy sandwiches, so I can read and eat at the same time." Ami said.

"You sure do love reading from what I hear. What books do you read?" He asked.

Ami smiled as she thought about her favorite books.

"When I am not with my friends, I enjoy studying upon various subjects such as algebra, chemistry, calculus, trigonometry, physics, not to mention, I also enjoy Once a Princess…"

After saying that last part, Ami shut her mouth with her hands and blushed hard. It took Ben a moment to register that last part.

"Uh… Once a Princess? That's a weird name for a Math book…" He joked.

Ami blushed.

"That's because… it's a romance novel…"

''Romance?"

"Y-Yes…"

Ami blushed deeper.

He could tell she is pretty shy and spoke next, giving her a smile.

''Well, I don't think there's anything wrong with you reading something less… advanced." Ben said.

"Even my friends don't know I've read stuff like that… I'm worried my mother won't approve of it." Ami said.

"Why is that?" Ben asked, not understanding.

"My mother wishes for me to become a doctor, just like her and she is always paying close attention to my grades..." Ami said.

"Do you wanna be a doctor?" Ben had to ask.

Ami nodded.

"Yes, ever since I was little..." Ami said, meaning it.

"And your dad's okay with it too?" He asked.

"He… doesn't have a say even if he didn't agree to it… my parents are divorced…" She said.

"Oh… sorry… I didn't know." Ben said sympathetically.

"It's okay… I'm over it… mostly." She said in a sad tone. "I don't mind it, I want to be a doctor." She said, trying to sound confident.

"What's wrong?" Ben asked, noticing the down look on her face.

Ami, bringing up her goal to be a doctor, couldn't help but remember what it cost her as a child.

"Growing up, I wasn't exactly the most popular girl. While most kids played during recess, I was in the library, studying. A lot of kids looked down on me for studying so much and taking my school work so seriously and thought I was a snob. I didn't have any friends until I met Usagi..." Ami admitted sadly.

While she tried not to show it a lot, a part of her wished she did become more sociable before meeting Usagi.

"Usagi is your friend, right?" Ben asked.

"One of my best friends. She was the first person who genuinely wanted to be my friend and not just for help with homework. Actually, even then I wouldn't have minded, since it meant someone wanted to at least speak to me. It was after her I started meeting people who didn't make me feel like I really was a snob…" She said, looking like she was still hurt by her past.

Ben saw the look on her face and sent her a compassionate smile.

"I don't think that…" Ben said. "That you're a snob, I mean."

Ami laughed a little.

"You just met me…"

"That's why… so far, you're really nice." Ben said. "I'm honestly surprised you haven't said anything to my face to imply you think I'm a slob…"

"I don't think that."

"You haven't seen me eat chili fries yet…" Ben said. "My… sort of ex, Julie, was one of the few okay with me eating that way."

"Sort of ex?" Ami asked.

"We didn't really officially get together." Ben admitted.

"I… see…" Ami said, not sure why she felt relieved.

"Number 45!" The counter called out.

"That's us… I'll be right back." Ben said.

As Ben went to go get their order, Ami was alone, thinking.

She had joined the dating service because her friends were taking it and right now, she is in the middle of a date.

Ami always tried to be the logical one of the group. So, she was analyzing the situation.

Alright, so far, this Ben Tennyson is so far the best one by default. He is cute but I am not so sure if he's necessarily boyfriend material... Ami thought in an unsure way.

While Ben seems nice so far, she didn't really seem many things they have in common and them living in different countries worked against the idea.

Just then, Ben returned, carrying their food.

"Here you go..." Ben said as he handed her a tray with her order.

"Thank you..." Ami said politely as she took her turkey sandwich. As she took a bite, she then saw Ben eating his chili fries in the "slob" way he mentioned and giggled. "What are you doing? Did you forget where your mouth is?"

Already, his face had some chili on it and he smiled.

"I did warn you." He said. "Would you like to try one?"

Ami decided to try so. She took a fry.

"Okay… here we go." She put the fry in her mouth and chewed. "Oh my…" She said, flinching at the flavor. "It's… strong… and somewhat tasty."

Ben smiled. Even as she took another fry, he nodded.

"Y'know, you shouldn't be upset those other kids didn't want to get to know you. Kids are… troublemakers. I mean, when I was 10, I was… kind of a punk." Ben said.

Ami stopped eating and smiled.

"You?" She asked.

"Yeah… I mean, I like to think I was a good kid… but not all the time. My cousin Gwen would testify, we didn't use to be close…" Ben said, looking back at his bratty actions with disdain. "Still… I'm glad to hear you still made good friends in the end. I mean, from what I've seen of you, you have a good heart. I mean, you admitted you took this just for a friend and you haven't made a snide comment or anything about me." Ben said.

Ami smiled.

"Well, to be fair, you haven't given me a reason to."

"See? You're not a snob. I wouldn't mind having a friend like you…" He said.

She didn't know why, but she felt happy to hear that.

---

After a while of talking, Ben brought Ami to an arcade he sometimes visits on his time off.

Ami couldn't help but remember how this was like the moment she and Usagi became friends.

She looked around and saw plenty of games she hasn't seen yet, along with a few familiar ones from back home.

She saw an arcade beat em' up, one that had mostly older men playing it.

"Street… Sharks?" She asked.

"Yeah… that one's a little stuck in the 90's." Ben said.

There is one game that caught her date's attention.

Sugar Rush, Ami knew of this game, the arcade back in Juuban had one too but she hasn't tried it yet due to either schoolwork or Sailor Guardians duties.

"Hey, Ami? Wanna try?" Ben asked.

"Oh… really?" She asked.

"Yeah… go for it." Ben said.

She nodded and sat down.

She picked a character named Taffyta and began racing.

She was excelling.

"Nice, Ami." Ben said.

Ami blushed, though she didn't understand why at the moment.

"Thank you…" She said.

"So, you mind for another round with a partner?" Ben suggested as there was a two-player option.

Ami blinked, before she smiled.

"Alright..." She said.

As Ben took his seat, he started talking.

"So… what about your friends? What are they like?" He asked.

"There's Usagi, the one I mentioned. There's Rei, she's a bit of the serious type, since she's a shrine maiden. Makoto, or Mako as we call her, she's kind of interested in finding a replacement for the guy who broke her heart. Then there's Minako, or Mina as she sometimes goes by, she's the one who got us all to join this."

"Really? Well, tell her I said thanks." Ben said. "So far, I'm having fun with you."

"You are?" Ami asked.

"Yeah… you've been pretty cool so far…" Ben said.

Ami smiled and couldn't help but look away, feeling bashful.

Me? Cool? Why was it so easy? Is he just trying to compliment me to trick me or something?

"Is that Tennyson?" A voice said.

Ben groaned.

"These idiots…"

Ami was surprised.

"Who are they?"

She saw them, one rather thuggish looking boy, the other much nerdier looking.

"The one with glasses is JT, the other is Cash. He's the bully, JT is just a suck-up to stay on his good side."

Cash and JT approached.

"What are you up to, Tennyson?" Cash questioned as he eyes Ami. "And who is this girl with the weird hair?"

Ami frowned at that.

"This is Ami, my blind date."

Both of these bullies chuckled.

"She must be blind if she's with you." Cash said before grinning at her. "Hey there… ya like Cash? Cause Cash likes you."

Ami scowled at this and turned her head.

She spoke Japanese at him.

"Anata wa fuyukaina bakadesu." She said scornfully. When the boys, even Ben, looked blankly at that, she spoke in English. "In Japanese, it means… You are an obnoxious idiot…"

Insulted by that, Cash grabbed her arm.

"What did you say? Don't think because you're pretty th-"

Suddenly, he's grabbed by the arm by someone else. Someone who then shoved him away from Ami.

"Don't touch her!" Ben shouted.

Cash stepped back, he was about to make a move when he saw Ben about to reach his watch. A factor Ami didn't piece together until much later.

"You wouldn't…" He warned.

"I don't care if you try the same pathetic bully tactics on me… but don't mess with anyone under my watch, especially my friends…" Ben warned.

Hearing that made Ami stare at Ben from behind his back.

"Am I… your friend?" She whispered.

"Your cousin will be all over you for it." Cash reminded.

"Maybe… but I'm sure she'll be all over you when she learns why I did it… wanna risk it?" Ben warned him.

Cash gritted his teeth before JT pulled him by the arm.

"Come on… not worth it…"

Cash pulled his arm out and pointed a finger at Ben's face.

"This isn't over, Tennyson…"

Cash turned away and stormed off, causing JT to hightail it and follow him.

Ben sighed and looked back at Ami.

"Sorry about that… Cash is an idiot who hasn't grown up since he was 8…"

"I kind pieced that together." Ami said. "And the other?"

"We used to be friends… before he chose to stay on Cash's good side…" Ben said.

"I'm sorry to hear that…" Ami said.

"No… it's fine. I hang out with my cousin and someone else…" Ben said. "They're way cooler than JT. I wish you could meet them, but Gwen has a blind date of her own and Kevin is… pretending to not care because he likes Gwen."

Ami smiled.

"I see…"

"Anyway… we don't have to stay if you don't want to…" Ben said.

"It's okay…" Ami said.

"Are you sure?" Ben asked.

"Yes… after all… you said we're friends, right?" Ami asked.

Ben smiled.

"Sure."

"Thanks for that." She said honestly.

"Don't mention it, it's what I do." He said humbly.

---

Later

After the game, Ben and Ami left together.

"Didn't take you for the type who can rock at games." Ben said.

"Oh, I'm not…" Ami said. "I'm just… lucky."

"Luck had nothing do with it. That was cool…" He said.

Ami blushed again. However, once she looked ahead, she saw something that made her pause in her tracks.

"Ben? Is there a science fiction convention in Bellwood?"

"Uh… no…" Ben went, confused by her question.

"Then… what are those?" She pointed ahead.

Ben looked in the direction she pointed and gasped when he saw what it was.

It was a group of DNAliens. They were raiding a truck of some technology.

"Not today…" He said under his breath, sounding angry.

Ami heard this and blinked in confusion.

"Ben?"

Ben looked to Ami.

"Sit tight…" He said as he ran towards them.

Ami got serious and reached for her pen in her bag.

"I need to do something… may I can find a place to-"

She's cut off when she saw the DNAliens push a car down the street, and it was heading straight for her.

Ben turned and saw it.

"Ami!"

"What?!" Ami went as the car came running towards her.

"So much for secrecy…" Ben said as he ran towards her and hit his watch.

After a flash, Ami saw something else in Ben's place.

"Ben?" She asked.

"Jetray!" The creature shouted as he flew to Ami and carried her out of the way of the car.

''W-What?" Ami thought in shock as she found herself in the arms of a strange creature, who also happens to be her blind date.

She was still silent as they landed in a safe distance.

As the DNAliens made their escape, Jetray took notice of Ami, who looked to him in shock.

"Uh… Ami?" He asked.

"B-Ben?" She asked, stepping back. "Are-are you-"

"Explanations later… please wait here while I deal with this." Jetray looked away. "I'll leave this guys on ice…" He hit the symbol on his chest and, in a flash, Ami saw a blue moth-like creature. "Big Chill! Wait here, Ami…"

He flew off, all the Ami just stared at what happened.

"What… what was that? Was that Ben?"

Ben went after the DNAliens. Ami walked up the street and saw him transforming into another creature, one he called "Swampfire" and knocked out all but one. He changed back when he noticed this, turning back into this Big Chill and run after it, freezing it and a man's car.

"Tennyson!" The man stepping out with his coffee shouted.

Does he know about Ben? Ami thought.

"Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!" Ben said as he tried in vain to melt the ice with his breath. "Come on, melt!" Ben then took the man's coffee and tried to use that. Instead, it broke the ice and the car inside in half somehow. This prompted Ben to run. "Sorry, Mr. Baumann! Seeya!"

Ami just watched all of this.

How… how is he able to do that? She asked. How did he turn into those… things?

After running as fast as he can from Mr. Baumann, Ben saw Ami was not that far, she looked very nervous, waiting for him.

"Ami? You didn't leave?"

"No… no, I didn't." Ami said. "I admit I was… shocked at first, but you did save me. So… Ben… you said… you would explain what that was about?"

Ben sighed as he directed Ami to follow him.

"I'll explain as we walk… I need to get away from Mr. Baumann anyway…"

"TENNYSON!" Baumann's shouting made Ben flinch.

"Maybe we should run…"

---

After a while, Ben and Ami reached a place he was very familiar with, Mr. Smoothy.

Per his request, she sat waiting for him at a table as he approached.

But first thing, he needed to get some smoothies, since this won't be easy and he needs it.

"Here…" He offered a cup. "It's grape, a favorite of mine."

"Thank you…" She said as she took the drink. "So… can you explain how you turned into those… monsters?"

"They aren't monsters Ami, they're aliens." Ben explained.

"Aliens?"

Ami was surprised.

It's not that she didn't believe in aliens, since she and her friends technically were reincarnations of aliens, but she just didn't understand something.

"I am confused...are you saying that you are an alien like Superman?" She asked.

"Not exactly...I was born human but I can transform into a bunch of other alien creatures..." Ben said. "I used to turn into a bunch more, but after the Omnitrix… upgraded or whatever, I can only do about 10 new aliens."

"A bunch more?" Ami asked.

"5 years ago. Did you by any chance hear of those mysterious alien heroes? Those were all me." Ben explained.

Ami blinked, remembering she read something like that.

"So… the urban legends of the four-armed man, the monster made of diamonds, or that superspeed dinosaur creature… those were you?"

"Yup."

"But...but how?" She had to ask.

Ben then lifted up his arm and gestured to what looked to be a watch.

"All thanks to this. The Omnitrix." He explained as he showed his watch to her.

Ami eyed it curiously.

Her desire for knowledge superseding everything else right now.

She took his wrist and pulled the watch closer to her face.

"How does this work?" She asked. "Is the DNA inside it? Is it somehow linked through some form of outer space internet?"

Her tugging was starting to pull Ben around.

"Uh? Ami?"

Ami kept poking the Omnitrix before accidentally turning on the menu for aliens.

"Fascinating…" She said, her eyes sparkling.

"Glad you think so..." Ben said as he tried to be careful before he accidentally changed forms.

"How do you change forms?" She asked. She turned the dial and circled through his options. "What of this… humanoid form?

"Yeah… uh… let's not pick that one." Ben said, sounding worried.

"Perhaps if I look at in an angle where I am using it." She quickly leaned her back into Ben's chest, making it seem like she'd be in his place when using it. "How many of these forms are there? What's the duration? Does it affect your personality?"

"Uh… Ami?" Ben went.

"Hmm?" She stopped what she was doing and finally took notice of what she was doing.

She was pressing her back into his chest and had his arm up as though she making it look like she were making him hug her and showing affection like a couple.

Oh my… She thought as her face turned red.

"Can I have my arm back now?" Ben asked.

She let go and quickly made distance between her and him.

"I'm so sorry!" She went, bowing. "I didn't mean to invade your personal space like that!"

She turned redder when her head was down.

I've never been that close to a boy before… She thought.

"It's… okay." Ben went.

He could understand her curiosity and in hindsight, she is taking this A LOT better than most others would.

''So, this... Omnitrix... is what makes you transforms into these aliens?" Ami asked as her face turned back to normal.

"Yep..." Ben said.

"Fascinating..." Ami said as she sipped her smoothie.

She stopped and stared at the drink.

Delicious… She thought.

She stopped thinking about it as her naturally curious nature made her want to ask more questions on the manner.

''So...as I asked earlier...how many of those aliens can you change into and for how long?" She asked again, this time, a little more reserved.

"Right now, just 10, like when I was a kid when I first found it. Usually, I'm in alien form for 10 minutes." Ben said.

"Who made it?" Ami asked.

"A Galvan named Azmuth. They're basically a race of frog-like aliens." Ben said.

"How many aliens are there in that thing?" Ami asked.

"Well… I once traveled into the future… long story… and I should have about 10,000 by the time I'm 30."

Ami just stared at him saying that like it's no big deal.

"Time… travel?" She asked, starting to get intrigued.

"Before you go asking me more stuff like that… I'd like for us to get back to the elephant in the room." Ben said.

"Oh?"

"So… Ami? Can I at least ask you to keep this between us?" Ben asked. "I really don't want to attract unwanted attention, at least not now. Those dudes from earlier are called DNAliens and I can't afford to let anyone know about them yet."

Ami nodded.

"You did save my life, so it's the least I can do."

Ben smiled.

"Thanks…"

Ami smiled as she continued sipping her drink.

Mmm… She thought. I could get used to this…

As she sipped, her eyes opened up and she look at Ben, who took his drink as she sat down and leaned his back into the table rather than sitting appropriately.

She couldn't help but smile a bit.

Ben Tennyson really is something else... Ami thought. He and I don't have much in common… but he definitely cares about helping people, since he saved me without any hesitation. And I didn't even know about his watch until now… He was nothing but nice to me and he admits he wouldn't mind being my friend. And he's kind of cute. She thought this as her mind drifted to a different topic. Strange… why do I feel so happy about thinking about this? Is this the term of opposites attract? I mean… just because he and I aren't exactly alike doesn't mean I don't like him… I don't dislike him… at the least.

Once she realized her drink was empty, she looked at the cup a moment before Ben spoke up.

"Well… we got time before you go. Anywhere else you wanna hit up?" Ben asked.

"I would like to see your library or a local bookstore. But first…" Ami held up her cup and smiled sheepishly. "May I have another?"

Ben chuckled.

"Sure."

---

After a stop at a bookstore he knows Gwen likes, Ben took Ami back to the train station where they met, as it was getting late.

Along the way, Ben was finishing his last smoothie when he took the lid off to see some of it left.

"Huh… it's all bunched up like ice cream…"

"Do you need a spoon?" Ami asked.

"Nah… I got it."

Ben hovered the cup over his head and opened his mouth, letting its contents slime down his tongue. Once he did that, he chewed, swallowed, smacked his lips and placed the cup in a trash can.

Ami couldn't help but smile a little.

Well… it's not that different from what Usagi would do… She thought.

"Sucks you had to stay somewhere far…" Ben said.

"Yeah… if it weren't for this curfew, I would stay here a bit longer." She said.

Not fair… I was having a lot fun with him… She thought sadly.

"Still, I'm glad we had this day together."

"Yeah…" She responded before remembering something. "Say, Ben?"

"Yes?"

"Have we… met before today?"

"Uh… no."

'I don't know why, but even though I never met you, your voice feels oddly familiar."

Ben blinked and thought.

"You know… I kind of thought the same thing. Weird, huh?"

"Yeah…" Ami said.

She didn't know why she thought this, though she felt that this scenario was different than how she would've heard it.

They made it to the train station.

"I'll see you later, Ami... I had a good time." Ben said with a friendly smiled to the bluenette.

"Right... me too. I guess… see you around..." Ami said but she still stood in place.

"Sure…" Ben said.

Unknown to Ben, she was contemplating a choice that she has been thinking about for a long time right now.

A choice to do something very, VERY bold for someone like her.

Should I? I know that I want to but...it is so BOLD... What if I scare him off? Or make him not interested in picking me? Ami thought as she kept thinking about what to do.

Ben was silent as she was still there, she just said and did nothing as he waved goodbye to her and walked away.

She was about to call out for him to stop, but chickened out.

Once he was out of sight, Ami let out a disappointed sigh.

"Why couldn't I be as confident as the other girls at this?" She said to herself.

Soon enough, she got back to the train.

As she sat in her seat, she looked out the window and sighed to herself.

This was a very nice day… still… I wish I could've kissed him on the cheek… maybe even a hug…

She didn't understand why, but she found herself quickly drawn to Ben.

Maybe it was because he was nice to her. Maybe it was because he saved her life. Maybe it was because she thought he was funny.

She didn't think she'd find any attraction to someone like him. He was almost like a guy version of her friends. Being as immature, goofy and impulsive as most of them. And yet, it somehow made her fond of him very fast.

It was now Ami noticed something was flying alongside the train, picking up speed.

She recognized the blue insect.

"Ben?" She whispered.

Once he saw her, Big Chill nodded and flew upward, landing atop the train.

Ami looked up wondering what going on. The sounds of what landed on the train stopped as Ami noticed a flash in the door to the next cart behind her.

Coming through was Ben, carrying a bag as he saw Ami and approached her.

"Sorry, I forgot I was still holding this for you…" He said, handing the bag to her.

It took Ami a moment, but she remembered.

"My book!" She said before blinking. "You came all this way to give it to me?"

"Well… you did have this kind of adorable smile when you saw it. The only time I ever saw anyone that happy about buying a book about quantum mechanics." He said.

Ami blushed and smiled.

He thought my smile was adorable?

She got up and was about to take the bag.

"Thank you."

However, when Ami took a step forward, she ended up tripping.

She stopped when she realized she leaned into something. Or more accurately, someone.

"You okay?"

Ami looked up and realized what had happened.

That trip made her lean on Ben and now it looks like they're hugging.

Her face turned bright red for a moment and she stepped back, taking her book with her.

"I'm fine…" She said, smiling despite the scenario. "Thank you, Ben…"

Ben smiled.

"Don't mention… what hero would I be if I didn't do something like this?" He asked.

Ami's smile grew at that moment even as her head was done.

"Well… you're definitely my hero, not just for what happened today." She said.

Before Ben knew it, Ami quickly hugged him.

Ben was confused at first before hugging her back.

She let go and hid her hands and book behind her back.

"That… was a thanks for that… and this." She said.

Ben nodded.

"Well… see you." He said. "I know you're gonna be an awesome doctor someday."

"You think so?" She said.

"Yeah… heck, you might end up being the best in the galaxy." He said with a goofy wink.

Ami laughed a little.

"Thanks… so, goodbye, Ben Tennyson…"

"Bye, Ami Mizuno."

Ben waved to her as he returned to the other train car, no doubt to find a place to hide and transform.

As soon as he left, Ami sighed, looking to her bag and taking the book out.

She couldn't help but smile that Ben went through that just for her.

There was a small laugh in the cart that caught her attention. Ami looked up and blushed when she remembered she wasn't the only person in the cart. Though not crowded, there were a few watching. They didn't see Big Chill, but they did see the exchange between Ben and Ami.

"So, was that your boyfriend?" An old woman asked.

"Oh… no! Just a blind date!" Ami went.

"I see…" The woman said with a smile.

Ami sat back down and looked to her book. She couldn't help but smile.

"Not that I don't like the idea…"

FLASHBACK OVER

---

Danny blinked at hearing her retell the date.

"So, you see... I understand he can be a bit of an egotist... but I know deep down he cares about helping people because it's right. Not only did he save me from those two bullies and serious injury, the words he said to me really got to me." Ami said, turning even more red.

Danny blinked before smiling.

Ben's an idiot for passing this girl up. I don't know who he chose, but I know he's not with her.

"Y'know, he and I sort of talk once in a while... I have this device that lets me reach him. I packed it with me just in case... we can use it to talk to him if you-"

"No!" Ami said, waving her hands out before calming down. "I mean... it's okay. it was a blind date. He doesn't owe me or anything..."

Despite his title as the clueless one, Danny could tell that it did bother Ami a bit and he felt sorry for her.

She is a very nice girl and while Ben isn't a jerk, he's still clueless and an idiot.

"Personally, I think Ben is a goof for not picking you. And if it's any consolation, his choice didn't pick him either..."Danny said.

Ami smiled a little.

"Thanks… you know, when I told everyone about my date, Mako was the only one who was mad at him for not picking me, even though I took it in stride."

"Oh?"

Danny thought back to how she looked upset the night before.

So that's why she looked upset…

That's when Danny's ghost sense went off.

"Uh oh…"

Ami took out her glasses and looked to Danny inquisitively.

"What was that?" She asked.

"My ghost sense… it means battle stations." Danny said as he got up.

That's when an evil laugh happened, one Danny found familiar.

Everyone at the beach heard that, though only Minako recognized it.

"Uh oh…" She said.

"What's going on?" Fu asked.

That's when the ground shook as though something large was walking.

To the very left of the beach was a large figure.

It looked like a giant mecha, with a menacing green face on it.

One Danny is VERY familiar with.

"Technus..." Danny said in anger.

"One of yours?" Ami asked.

"Yup…"

The sight of the giant robot caused everyone at the beach to panic and run away.

As the Sailor Guardians reunited, Usagi looked around.

"Where's Mamo?" She asked.

"Never mind him…" Danny said. "Huddle around me so nobody can see me morph."

The girls nod and do so, allowing Danny to morph.

"Keep him busy while we find a place to transform." Makoto said.

He gave a thumb's up as he went to deal with Technus.

As the ghost boy flew to go deal with his phone, Ami blinked as she noticed something is missing.

"Oh my, where are they?.."Ami said.

"Where is what?" Usagi asked.

"My glasses!" Ami went as she looked to where they were staying. "I dropped-" Technus stepped where they were with his large robot foot. "No! My reading glasses!" She shouted.

Usagi pulled her along.

"You can buy another pair! Come on!"

The girls soon left to go find a hiding spot to transform, all the while, Danny faced off against his foe.

"Technus!" Danny shouted as he started firing. "You know, you could just wait in Amity Park if you want your butt kicked again!"

Technus blocked the attack with his arm.

"Oh, but this time, I've brought something. We all want a piece of you…" He responded.

That word caught Danny's attention.

We? What does he mean by that?

Before Danny could fire again, he's tackled into by a familiar figure into the sand. Once he got up, he saw who was standing over him.

"Skulker?!"

"Not just me…" Skulker pointed upward.

Danny looked up and saw someone hovering in the air.

Someone with her arms crossed.

"I told you that you made a dangerous new enemy!" Esmeraude said with arms crossed.

"Emerald?"

"It's Esmeraude!" She shouted.

"Don't care…" Danny responded. As Esmeraude looked ready to shout in anger, Danny couldn't help but make a crack. "Lemme guess… blind date?"

"NO!" Skulker shouted.

"Hmpt, hardly..." Esmeraude said in a haughty way before turning her attention to the ghost boy. "I offer myself only to my darling prince…"

Danny rose an eyebrow.

"What's that make you? The wicked stepsister?"

That angered her even further.

"Now it is time to pay, Savage!" The green haired villainess said. "There's nowhere left to run! Ohohoho!"

Danny rolled his eyes and looked to Skulker.

"If you're gonna snag my pelt, can you do it fast so I don't have to listen to that?" Danny asked.

"What makes you think I want to listen to it?" Skulker responded.

That irritated Esmeraude even further.

"Shut up, primitive fools!" She shouted.

"Bubble… Spray!" Someone shouted.

This created a mist that prevented Skulker and Esmeraude from seeing Danny.

"Huh?" He went.

"It's one of those Sailor Brats!" She shouted.

She is right.

It is Sailor Mercury, all dressed and ready to fight.

And she looks mad too.

Once the cover cleared, Danny was hovering near the Sailor Guardians as Mercury pointed to the villains.

"You dare to come and attack on a beautiful day as this? We will not condone this! We have come to save these innocents from their day of happiness ruined... and to make you pay for ruining my glasses!" She quickly added before sending another attack. "Shine Aqua Illusion!"

She fired her icy powers, which Skulker and Esmeraude dodged in time.

Danny and the other Guardians blinked at her insistence on glasses. He looked to the four, who only shrugged.

That's when they became aware of the remaining people screaming for their lives.

"Phantom… you better help get the remaining people to safety since you're faster." Moon suggested.

"Good thinking." Danny said as he flew towards those remaining.

This includes the Hero Club.

"Is that a Vertex?" Yuna asked.

"No… it wouldn't be here and it's clearly talking." Karin said.

"Let's go!" Togo shouted as Yuna pushed her wheelchair for her.

However, only one remained.

"Fu! Let's go!" Itsuki said.

Fu just looked around.

"Where's Danny and his girlfriend? Are they okay?" She asked.

However, she realizes she was too late.

Fu saw the giant robot aiming a blaster at her, but was swooped by someone before the gun could be fired.

"You okay?" A familiar voice asked in English.

Fu opened her eyes.

"Hmm?" She saw who saved her and gasped. "You?"

"Are you okay?" He asked again.

Fu's face turned red as she remembered she was in her bikini, while in the arms of Danny Phantom.

"Y-Yeah…"

''Good..." Danny said before he quickly landed near her friends, before putting her down.

"Mio-chan!" Mugi shouted for her.

Danny heard one of the Light Music Club girls calling out for help.

Mio froze in place, having been unable to move the entire time since Technus appeared.

It was like she was frozen solid.

She shut her eyes.

Before she knew it, someone flew in and swooped with her.

"You okay?"

"Huh?" Mio opened her eyes and noticed she's in someone's arms. "What?"

She saw who it was as Danny let her on her feet.

"You can let go now…" He said with a smile.

Realizing her arms are around his neck, she pulled back.

"Oh! Uh…" She smiled and turned red. "So… you saved me?"

"Yeah…" He said.

Mio, who originally was afraid of Danny Phantom because he's a ghost, couldn't help but turn red.

He's cuter in person than I thought… She thought.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

Mio's face turned redder.

"Y-Yeah…"

"Okay…"

Once he was sure she was okay, the ghost boy soon went back to battle, while Fu was still blushing and looking at him.

"Wow..."

Both girls who were smitten with Danny were suddenly smitten with another Danny, unaware they were the same one.

"Cool…" They both said.

Their friends saw this, though Ritsu was the only one who didn't sigh. She only grinned.

"Not again…" All 7 of them sighed.

---

"Sparkling Wide Pressure!" Makoto shouted as she threw her attack.

"Burning Mandala!" Rei shouted as she performed her attack.

Technus braced himself as those magical attacks did push him back. However, he remained standing.

"I'm not one of those monsters you little girls keep dealing with!" He said "I, Technus, am the master of all things with electricity flowing through them! With the technology of the planes and factories I've stolen, this partnership will end with all of you no longer a threat! And once I'm rid of that accursed Ghost Boy, nothing will stop me from taking over the world!"

The Sailor Guardians only stared at him in disbelief for shouting that so easily.

"Why would you say all of that?" Mercury asked.

"And I thought Usagi opened her mouth too often…" Mars remarked.

"Yeah…" Moon said before realizing that was a crack at her. "Hey!"

Danny caught up with them.

"Yeah… he does that…" Danny said.

"How often?" Venus asked.

"Too often…" Danny said with an eyeroll.

Technus heard him and got annoyed. He sent a blast in response but Danny and the girls managed to dodge him

This happened for a while and Esmeraude was getting impatient.

"Stupid spirits…" Esmeraude grunted. "Droids! Attack!"

Her minions did as they were told and went to face the heroes, but the green haired villainess soon caught something in the corner of her eye.

A child with PINK hair, who was trying to hide.

Is that her? She thought as she quickly teleported to the location and smirked once she was sure.

"You!" She shouted.

"Esmeraude!" Chibiusa said. Esmeraude grabbed hold of Chibiusa by the arm and held her up. "Let go!" She demanded.

"Small Rabbit? Ha! This day keeps getting better…"

"Unhand her!"

A rose flew by, the sharp stem cutting her near the knuckles, making her let go.

"Agh!" She held her own hand as Chibiusa ran away. "Who dares?!"

''I do..." A male said.

They turned around and saw that it was Tuxedo Mask.

"Tuxedo Mask!" Esmaraude said in anger.

"Tuxedo Mask!" Chibiusa said, happy to see him.

He stood several feet away, arms crossed, as he jumped ahead, causing Esmeraude to hover away.

"The beach is a place of fun and recreation! To harm innocent people here is unforgivable!" Tuxedo Mask shouted.

A certain Ghost Boy hovered closer.

"Nice of you to join us…" Danny snarked.

Tuxedo Mask scowled at him.

"You're lucky the one I love is here too…" He responded.

''Same here..." Danny said with just as much contempt, before turning attention back to the battle.

Meanwhile, the Guardians were destroying several droids with their powers, while Skulker was getting impatient as well.

"I'll handle this…"

He turned invisible and knocked several of the girls to the ground.

Danny saw Jupiter fall and gasped.

"Li- I mean, Jupiter!" Danny shouted.

Sailor Moon was next to fall, prompting Tuxedo Mask to go save her.

"Sailor Moon! I'm coming!"

He was grabbed by the cape and the invisible Skulker and swung into the sand near her.

"Uh oh…" Danny said as he was about to save them when he saw what happened next.

Technus aims the blaster at the Guardians.

"Last chance, Danny Phantom... tell us where the Infi-Map is... Technus will only be able to send one of these girls to the Null Void, a place where even that map can't take you..." Skulker warned as he turned visible.

"Let us hope the one I hit isn't the one you're involved with... so, which is it?" Technus asked.

"Can't be the one called Sailor Moon, since she and that oaf in the tuxedo are clearly a thing..." Skulker reasoned.

"So, it's either the other blonde from the night before, the raven hair, the blue-hair or the brunette..." Technus reason.

"Does it matter which one?! You stupid specters, just shoot one!" Esmeraude demanded.

"We are not your little monsters!" Skulker snapped at her.

''I DON'T CARE! JUST GET ON IT!" She yelled at them.

Skulker growled, not liking being ordered around like this.

Before a decision is made, a voice from above was heard.

"Hey!"

Everyone looked up and saw something flying towards them.

Something fast that Danny and Ami were familiar with.

"That looks like..." Ami whispered.

"... Jetray..." Danny whispered.

Once Jetray was above Technus in his robot body, a green flash happened and something much bigger fell on the machine.

"Humungousaur!" Ben shouted.

Danny blinked. The Sailor Guardians and Tuxedo Mask also blinked.

"Is that... Ben 10?" Mars asked.

"It is!" Mercury said with a smile before realizing she sounded too happy. "I mean... it is..."

Jupiter frowned.

"He's here..."

"Mako..." Ami said.

"I know... he doesn't owe you... but still..." She responded.

As Technus pushed Humungousaur off, he saw that the large alien smashed his blaster with his foot.

"My Null Void Cannon! Do you know how many planes and factories I had to steal from to make this?!" He shouted angrily.

Skulker blinked a few times before recognizing who this is.

"That's Ben 10... the boy who turns into aliens..."

Esmeraude gritted her teeth.

"ANOTHER American superhero? Who is this one involved with?"

"No idea..." Skulker grinned. "But I have been itching to hunt this one for a while..."

''Well see about that!" Humungousaur said as he sent a punch at him, sending him flying away.

"AH!" Skulker yelled upon being hit.

Esmaraude got angry at the sight of the hero.

"I don't know what you're doing here and I don't care!" She fired a blast that hit him. He tried reaching for her and she just hovered even higher to avoid him and gave her laugh. "Ohohoho! You can't reach me, puny sa-"

Humungousaur suddenly grew a few feet and was able to backhand her into the water.

He blinked in confusion.

"Huh… forgot I could do that…" He admitted sheepishly.

Everyone just stared at that incredulously.

He FORGOT he could do that?! They thought.

Stepping out of the water, Esmeraude gritted her teeth again.

"You ruined my hair, you primitive beast! Droids, destroy him!" She ordered.

Soon, they surrounded him, ready to fight.

"Better bulk up..." Humungousaur said as he hit the symbol on his chest, which altered his appearance to appear taller and greener. "Ultimate Humungousaur!"

''Wow..." Ami said, looking amazed, while the other Sailor Guardians looked on edge. She saw this. "Relax… he's clearly not the enemy." She said.

''Are you sure?" Rei asked in a wary tone.

Just then, Humungousaur managed to crush the droids and turned his attention to Esmaraude herself.

"Your turn, Lady…"

Before either could attack, someone attack from behind, hitting Esmaraude.

"AH!" The green haired villainess yelled. She turned around and saw it was Skulker. "What are you doing?!"

"I told you! I want to hunt this one!" Skulker insisted.

Esmeraude aimed her fan at him.

"Stick to your role in this partnership!" She demanded.

"I'm not one of your little robots!" Skulker shouted.

"Hey! You two!" Technus shouted in his robotic form. "Mind giving me a-"

He's then hit by a barrage of blasts.

After firing, Ultimate Humungousaur grinned.

"Ben?!" A voice from below called to him.

Looking down, seeing an old friend, the large alien regressed to his standard form before turning human again.

"Danny?" Ben asked.

Both boys pointed to each other.

"What are you doing in Japan?!" They both asked.

"Visiting my girlfriend, you?" Danny asked.

"Got sent to a parallel universe... met a kid who made robot parts from his body… fought a monster made of nanobots…" Ben said before noticing the blank expression on Danny's face. "It's a long story."

Meanwhile, Skulker looked between the two heroes.

Confused.

"How do you know Ben Tennyson?!" Skulker asked.

Danny pointed to Ben.

"He's a friend from work..."

''Yeah..." Ben said.

"Speaking of which, wanna help?" He asked.

"Are those the Sailor Guardians?" Ben asked, noticing who else was there,

"Huh... you got the name right." Danny said. "So, wanna help?

Ben nodded.

"Sure..." He responded. "They built a Null Void cannon on them and I kind of need make sure they can't fix it."

"Alright..." Danny said, happy to have the help.

Ben grinned as he put his game face on.

As Ben was about to use the Ultimatrix, he took notice of Sailor Mercury and stared a bit, noticing something.

She realized what he was doing and stuttered.

"Um... is something... wrong?" She asked.

"Have we met? You look familiar..." He said.

"N-Nope!" She went, waving her hands at him. "Not once!" She lied badly.

Her friends however sighed, while Makoto sent a dirty look at Ben, who noticed but before he could ask, the bad guys started their attack.

''I have had enough! DESTROY THEM!" Esmeraude shrieked as they got into fighting position.

Ben hit the Omnitrix.

"RATH!"

Esmeraude only scoffed.

"Such an ugly cat needs to be declawed."

"Lemme tell ya somethin', floating green-haired lady! Rath's not ugly and Rath doesn't use his claws! Rath does have blades out his wrist and he's got more than claws to make you ugliest! Rath will take your green hair and make it into the ugly pie you're about to eat!"

Suddenly, the villains stopped their assault and looked completely lost.

The Sailor Guardians and Tuxedo Mask also looked totally lost.

Danny hovered closer.

"Dude… that made no sense…"

Rath growled.

"I KNOW!"

"Why are you yelling? And why are you talking like a wrestler?" Danny asked.

''Rath can't help it when he's like this… Rath is one of the aliens who has a personality of his own..." Rath said in defense before getting ready to fight.

"WILL SOMEONE PLEASE KILL THESE IDIOTS ALREADY?!" Esmeraude shouted.

"Gladly!" Technus stepped in.

Danny hovered closer.

"Okay, I'll take-"

Rath pushed him out of the way.

"RATH'S GOT THIS!" Rath stepped closer. "LEMME TELL YA SOMETHING, TECHNUS, GHOST WHO INTERRUPTED THE DATE BETWEEN MY COUSIN AND ONE OF THE ONLY FRIENDS I HAVE IN THE SUPERHERO BIZZ! RATH WILL DESTROY YOU!"

''Date? His cousin?" Venus asked.

"Her name is Gwen...she was...my third date in the service..." Danny said. "Technus kind of interrupted that date too."

Before anyone could ask more, the alien tiger soon charged at Technus, eager to fight.

Rath climbed up his chest and start punching it, with no results.

Technus simply flicks Rath off him.

''What a nuisance..." The tech ghost said.

Rath recovered and growled.

"NUISANCE! RATH IS NOT A NUISANCE! RATH A NEW WORLD OF HURT!"

As Rath shouted and tried to claw Technus' armor, everyone just watched.

"I know we should be fighting… but this is oddly funny." Mars commented.

''We should help him out..." Danny said, since Ben is still one of his friends.

The other heroes nodded.

"But… maybe after Ben… or Rath… or whatever we're supposed to call him right now is finished?" Moon asked.

"Yeah… he's just gonna get in the way…" Venus said, amused by what Rath is doing.

Meanwhile, the villains were watching the fight, though Esmeraude looked to Skulker curiously.

"Aren't you going to… skin that one or something?" Esmeraude asked.

"I'm waiting for him to tire them out… besides… this is funny." Skulker responded with a grin.

Esmauraude would have said something, but had to agree, besides, she took pleasure from seeing that alien boy getting hit again.

They then saw Technus sucker punched him, sending Ben/Rath several feet away before crashing down.

"Are you done?" Jupiter asked the knocked down tiger alien with an annoyed look and arms crossed.

Rath got up.

"LEMME TELL YA SOMETHING, TALL GIRL IN A DRESS NOT AT CONDUCIVE TO FIGHTING EVIL WHO KEEPS GIVING ME THE STINK EYE! RATH IS…" He groaned. "Yeah… I'm done."

''I'm thinking we need a plan to put the hurt on Technus, ideas anyone?" Danny asked.

Mercury used her goggles and computer while scanning Technus.

"No good…" She bemoaned. "That armor is tough… too tough…"

"Any other ideas?" Danny asked.

"Lemme tell ya somethin', Danny Phantom! Rath's a fighter, not a thinker! But Rath does know a thinker!"

"Who?" Danny asked.

Rath hit his chest symbol and, in a flash, became another alien.

"Brainstorm!"

"Oh yeah, I remember this one..." Danny said, recalling that this one is supposed to be a super smart crab like alien.

Hopefully, the extra brain power will help them here.

"Fascinating…" Mercury said.

"I think this one is creepy…" Moon said with a shudder.

"Well?" Danny asked.

"I have conceived an idea… You, the cute one!" Brainstorm pointed to the Guardians.

All of them stared at each other.

"Uh… which one?" Venus asked.

Brainstorm groaned.

"The blue one." Brainstorm said.

Mercury blushed.

"I'm the cute one?" She asked, pointing at herself.

"SHE'S the cute one?" All of them asked, somewhat insulted.

"Your bubble mist ability will be important for this idea…"

Technus just stood there, laughing.

"Fools! I am Technus! Master of machines and lord of all gadgetry! None of your puny attacks can-" Suddenly, Mercury's Bubble Spray happened, blocking his view. "What?" He looked around. "Where are you?"

"Now then… as instructed… hot and cold! Go!"

"FIRE… SOUL!"

A blast of fire hit Technus in the chest.

"Keep going!" Brainstorm shouted.

"Burning Mandala!"

Mars fired her heat more.

"Continue!" Brainstorm said.

"How much longer?!" Mars asked as she kept using her fire blasts.

"A bit more!" Brainstorm said.

Meanwhile, Mercury was able to see Technus's metal was turning red with the heat and realized something.

Is he doing what I think he's doing?

"Daniel! Go!" Brainstorm ordered.

Danny fired a blast of ice energy at Technus in the chest.

As this went on, Technus just laughed.

"Fools!" He rose his arms. "I, Technus, am-" He then noticed his armor was cracking. "What?!"

"Cold cracks…" Mercury realized what he was doing. "Exposing that metal to extreme heat, then Danny hit with a constant cold…"

"Now! Aim your attacks at his chest!" Brainstorm shouted.

"Moon Tiara Action!"

"Sparking Wide Pressure!"

"Crescent Beam Shower!"

"Tuxedo La Smoking Bomber!"

"I don't have a move name for this!" Danny shouted.

All the girls sent these attacks at the same time, even Danny sent more ecto blasts.

They all hit Technus at the same time and it was enough to finally ruin his armor, making it crack open and reveal the power core.

"My precious armor!" Technus shouted.

"And that's not all! Do you wonder why I call this form Brainstorm?"

Brainstorm opened his head, causing all of the Sailor Guardians, save for Mercury, to recoil in disgust.

"Fascinating…" Mercury went.

The electricity went straight towards Technus's chest.

"My power core!" Technus shouted.

The tech ghost yelled as he was fried, along with the suit before it crashed to the ground, ruined beyond belief.

As the true form of Technus came out of the rubble, Danny pulled out the Fenton Thermos.

"I'll take it from here…"

He pulled out his thermos and immediately sucked in a horrified Technus.

"NNNOOOOO!" Technus shouted as he sucked into the cylindrical device.

Once done, Danny put the clasp on the device. Skulker and Esmeraude saw the whole thing.

"He failed..." Esmaraude said in anger.

"On the plus side… this means I don't have to share the reward for getting the map…" Skulker said as he stroked his chin.

He was then smacked in the head by an annoyed Esmaraude for his comment.

"That's not what you should be focusing on! It's no wonder you haven't captured that boy's pelt!" She shouted.

"Watch it! Before I make a spot in my trophy case for YOUR pretty head!"

"Let's go already! You better have another plan!" Esmeraude shouted as she disappeared.

Skulker then decided to fly away.

"They got away..." Moon said in anger.

"At least we managed to capture one of them..." Mercury said.

"How long can you hold him in there?" Venus asked.

"A few days at best. Since I'm leaving Sunday evening, that should be enough." Danny said.

"Well… we have another hero to thank, right?" Mercury pointed out as she gestured to Brainstorm.

"Yeah… even if the crab form is super creepy…" Usagi said.

The only Guardian not showing appreciation was Jupiter, who crossed her arms and looked away.

He still broke Ami's heart… She thought.

"Nice one, Ben... or... Brainstorm..." Danny said.

"It was rather simple, Daniel." Brainstorm went as he addressed the Guardians. "I was able to determine the source of Technus's power and, after he chose to pontificate his supposed superiority, I simply..." He saw Mercury again. "... deduced that..."

He kept staring at her moment before suddenly crawling towards her and, to everyone surprise, inched closer with one eye wider than the other.

"Is... something... wrong?" She asked, turning red.

Brainstorm scratched his chin.

"That hair... that skintone... those eyes... even your voice... why didn't I see it before?" He stepped back. "Ami? Ami Mizuno?"

She gasped, he somehow deduced it.

"W-What?"

He morphed back to human form.

"Ami? You're Sailor Mercury?! Huh... that does explain why you were open to aliens when we met..." He said.

Normally, Ami would deny everything but she knew Ben and she also knew that the cat is out of the bag now.

Might as well smooth things over. At least he remembers me…

Ami sighed.

"Yup... it's me..." She said in a defeated tone.

The girls gasped.

"Ami! I mean... Mercury!" Jupiter went.

"Wait... so are these the friends you mentioned?" Ben asked.

''Yes." She said, while her friends looked aghast.

"What are you doing?!" Mars asked.

"We can trust him..." Ami said reassuringly.

"I doubt it…" Jupiter said as she sent a glare, much to Ben's surprise.

"Okay… why do you look like I'm the bad guy?" Ben asked.

Danny hovered to her.

"Look… I know why you're mad at him… but Ami told me he doesn't owe her anything. You can't be mad at something he unknowingly did." He whispered.

Jupiter sighed.

"Fine… but I got my eye on him." She responded.

Ben wondered what they were talking about, but before he could ask, Mamoru spoke next.

''You both know each other?" Mamoru questioned, surprised.

"We...met on a blind date during the trip to America..." Ami said.

Mamoru groaned.

"Is he your boyfriend from overseas?"

Ami's cheeks turned pink.

"What? No! He didn't pick me… and we hadn't heard from each other now."

Minako grinned as she elbowed Usagi in the arm.

"It's almost fate, huh?" She said.

"I know…" Usagi said with a smile.

''Girls..." Ami said in an embarrassed way, while those two giggled.

The cats, seeing the fight over, approached the group.

Suddenly, Ben's Ultimatrix beeped and he rose his arm.

"Huh?"

"DNA of inhabitants from the planet Mau detected." The Ultimatrix went.

Ben blinked.

"Planet Mau?" Ben asked.

"What's it doing?" Makoto asked.

"I think it's detecting alien DNA not stored yet." Ben said.

"Alien DNA?" Usagi asked as she realized what that meant. "Uh… maybe it's broken?" She suggested.

The other girls knew what she was referring to. They all got in his path, trying to block his view of the cats.

"Uh… right!" Ami went.

"Yeah… no aliens here!" Minako said.

"You might need to get that thing fixed!" Rei said.

"Obviously just all forms of life you find only on Earth!" Makoto went.

As he followed the direction the beeping went, it made him look at the cats.

Uh oh… Both of them went on the inside, stiffening.

Ben laughed.

"Come on… those are cats…" He said.

The Ultimatrix scanned the two before, somehow, it immediately made a different noise, one that indicated rejection.

"DNA of Mau aliens deemed "inadequate" by Azmuth." The Ultimatrix went.

"Inadequate?!" Artemis snapped. "What does that stupid frog know?!"

Ben stared at Artemis shouting.

"Oh no…" All of the rest went.

Artemis quickly realizes his mistake.

"Oh… uh… mao?" He went with a sheepish smile.

"Huh… talking cats? Yawn…" Ben said. "I've seen weirder…"

The Sailor guardians and cats nearly face faulted after hearing that, though they quickly recovered.

"Before you go, know that you even knowing Ami's secret is a big risk!" Luna shouted.

"Huh… you sound like that…" Ben said.

"Ben… this is serious." Danny said.

"Relax Danny, I didn't post your real name on message boards or anything, so I'm not gonna say anything about Ami." Ben said before remembering something. "So… those friends you mentioned by name, like Usagi, which is which?" He asked her.

Sailor Moon got in their path, having a nervous smile.

"You know she can't answer that, right?"

"She's right, Ben…" Ami said.

Ben shrugged.

"It's cool… I'm not gonna say anything. To be honest, I'm a little jealous… I miss having a secret identity." He said.

"Really? Too many autograph signings?" Jupiter asked with an edge in her voice.

Ben noticed it but chose to ignore her tone.

"More like I miss hanging out with just my cousin and grandpa…" That's when Ben remembered something. "Uh… hang on."

As he walked away, Artemis spoke up.

"Wait, there is something I just don't understand..." The white cat said.

"What is it, Artemis?" Minako asked.

"How did he figure out Sailor Mercury's identity? Even Danny didn't recognize you that night…" Artemis asked.

"He was an alien who was super smart... maybe Brainstorm's race is able to figure that stuff out... maybe whatever keeps people from figuring out who the girls are didn't work on him... or the previously mentioned idea that humans are that thick?" Danny reasoned.

The white cat thought about it and decided it made as much sense as everything else going on here.

Meanwhile, Ben used the Omnitrix and tried to contact someone.

"Ben? What's going on?" Max asked from the other side.

"Grandpa, guess what? I'm in Japan!" Ben said.

"How in the world did you get there?" Max asked.

"Got transported to a parallel Earth, ended up in the Null Void, saw a portal to ere open up by one of Danny Phantom's bad guys... long story." Ben said. "How's everyone?"

"Well... at the very least, a lot of people think you're dealing with a case..." Max said. "I told the press that for you..."

"And... Julie?" Ben asked, sounding hopeful.

"She's... okay you're alive but... not enough to renew your relationship... she's still mad." Max said.

Ben sighed.

"Of course she is..." He said in a defeated tone.

"You know... she might not be the one for you..." Max said.

"Ignoring that talk..." Ben insisted. "How do I get back to Bellwood?"

"Well... I can send a ship to your location but..." Max pondered.

"But what?"

"I mean... you mentioned how tired you were feeling. Why not take advantage and stay there the rest of your Spring Break?" Max suggested.

''Are you sure?" Ben asked, surprised.

"Normally, I'm against the idea, but you have been overworked lately. And if worse comes to worse, I at least know where to find you..." Grandpa Max said.

Ben thought about it and smiled, nodding.

"Okay, thanks Grandpa. Tell Mom, Dad, Gwen and Kevin I'll be okay..." Ben said before hanging up.

He then turned to see his old friend and the Sailor Guardians.

"What's going on?" Danny asked.

"So... it looks like I'm gonna be here the rest of the Spring Break... hope that's okay." Ben said.

Danny, Usagi, Ami and Minako were the only ones to express approval. Mamoru, Rei and especially Makoto seemed against it.

The cats shared unsure looks.

"At least he doesn't have a dog…" Luna said with a shrug.

---

Once the damage was done and everyone found a safe place to hide and change back, they were able to walk past the crowds of people being checked on by ambulances for any injuries sustained while running away.

As Fu got some water, she took notice of Danny and his friends leaving.

As did Mio.

They approached him.

"Danny! You… are… good?" Fu asked.

"She asked if you're good…" Mio said for her.

Fu sent her an eyeroll.

"Yeah… how about you two?" He asked.

Mio nodded.

Fu, figuring he was asking if she's okay, did so as well.

''That's good..." He said, showing the smile that made both girls blush.

However, seeing Makoto present made them try to lose their blushes.

He's got a girlfriend… so no. They thought in unison.

"Well… take care." Danny said.

As he turned around, Mio spoke up.

"Hey, wait." Mio said.

Danny and the rest stopped.

"What's up?"

"Where did Danny Phantom go?" Mio asked.

"Probably wherever he's staying in Japan…" Minako said, sending a wink to Danny and Makoto, who smiled.

"That's a shame… I really wanted to say thanks…" Mio said.

Fu made a face at her.

"Did you just say what I think you said?" Fu asked in Japanese.

"And what's that, miss volleyball queen?" Mio asked with her arms crossed in the same language.

"That you wanna see him again?" Fu asked with jealousy.

"Not exactly… but I won't deny he's rather handsome…" Mio said with a nod.

"What was that?! He saved me first!" Fu said.

"That doesn't mean you call dibs!" Mio shouted.

Both girls got closer and glared at each other's eyes.

This left Danny a bit clueless and concerned while the rest of the girls smiled in amusement.

"Uh… what's going on?" Danny asked.

Makoto whispered to him.

"It looks like Minako isn't the only person to crush on Danny Phantom…"

Danny's eyes widened.

"I see…"

He looked to the two girls again, both glaring each other before looking away and going "Hmpt".

At least they're not as obsessive as Paulina or Mina… He thought in relief.

That could have been troublesome.

Anyway, the group tried to leave, though they had to keep Ben's identity concealed.

"So… how do long do I have to have this towel on my head?" Ben asked, pointing to the item in question.

"You're a publicly known figure Ben, the less people recognize you, the better." Danny said.

"Right… so… any idea where I can stay tonight?"

The idea that Ben has no place to stay hit them as everyone tried to come up with ideas.

"You can stay at my place!" Minako went with a smile.

Everyone gave eyerolls.

"No." They all said, realizing her real intent.

"Huh… why not?" Minako asked.

"After what you tried to do to Danny that night, I can think why..." Rei said.

Minako shook her head.

"Oh, come on..." Minako complained.

Danny and Ben didn't understand them since they were speaking Japanese, so Danny had to ask his girl.

"What are they saying?" He asked.

"They are...uh...trying to figure out where Ben can stay..." The tall girl said.

"Oh..." The ghost boy said.

"Maybe somewhere else…" Makoto said.

"Got any ideas, Lita?" Danny asked.

"Well… there is a hotel down the street from my apartment." Makoto said.

"Do you think he'll be able to stay there, Mako?" Usagi asked.

"Knowing his high-profile status, they'd want him to stay." Makoto said.

"I have debit card in case of emergencies." Ben said.

"That can work." Ami said.

"Yeah… thanks Lita."

Hearing that made Makoto narrow her eyes at him, making him flinch.

"Only Danny can call me that…" She warned.

"Oh… okay…" He said with his hands up. "Mako?"

Her glare intensified, making him shiver.

"Only my friends call me that…" She said in an equally chilling tone.

"Oh… uh…"

She pointed her finger at him, making him flinch.

"The name is Makoto Kino… but you can call me Kino! Got it?!" She said.

"Sure! Kino!" Ben went.

He still looked nervous. Mako's friends noticed and Ami did not like this.

"Mako…" Ami said in a quiet, almost begging tone.

She knew her friend can be pretty intense but this is too much.

Makoto sighed before she turned around.

"You're lucky Ami's that nice…" She said as she stormed way, much to everyone else's surprise.

Ben blinked.

"Whoa… even Vilgax doesn't look at me like that… what was that about?" Ben asked.

Danny whispered to him.

"Ami told everyone about how you were her date she chose back in Summer. Lita's mad you didn't pick her…"

Ben blinked.

"Really?" He asked.

He recalled their date and the fact that she picked him, but he didn't think it could have worked due to distance.

He didn't mean to hurt her feelings.

"Ami doesn't hold a grudge… Lita though… that's another matter." Danny said.

"I'm guessing Kino is the girlfriend you mentioned?" Ben asked.

"Yup." Danny responded.

As he heard that, Ben's eyes rolled to Ami.

It's not that I didn't like her… but…

Ami noticed Ben was staring at her, making her turn somewhat red.

"Something wrong?" She asked.

"Uh… no…" Ben said.

"Since Lita's not in a mood, someone needs to show Ben where he's staying." Danny spoke up.

The two were silent for a moment before Ami spoke again.

"I can take you to the hotel Mako mentioned, I'm aware of it." Ami said.

"Thanks…" Ben said.

The teenagers soon left for home, unaware that the plans of Danny's foes and the Black Moon Clan weren't over yet.

They were only starting.

---

A LONG one but it's done, thanks to Flower princess11.

Return of Fu and Mio, with a new interest in Danny Phantom.

Also, a lot of anime dubbing connections I added to the voice acting gag I do.

Danny noticing Rei and Mio, with Usagi and Yui, sounding familiar due to the same dub actresses. Since they naturally speak Japanese, they don't notice it. I stretched it with Yuna sounding like Ui, Yui's sister. This one was unintentional but I when I realized it I had to. Ben Tennyson as a teenager is voiced by Yuri Lowenthal, Ami Mizuno in the VIZ re-dub and Crystal is dubbed over by Kate Higgins. Both are respectively Sasuke and Sakura from Naruto. I seriously didn't realize that till later. Don't worry, Ben and Ami will have a far less toxic relationship.

And yeah, it was about time we saw Ben and Ami's date. I tried to keep Ben consistent with how he was in the first two seasons of Alien Force. His stupidity in season 3 has passed and this is Ben in Ultimate Alien, where he's a lot less like that.

This worked out because I was running out of ideas for the Spring Break stuff.

Menatron the Angel of Ideas: We'll see.

61394: Yeah... instead it's Danielle doing it for her.

Runeion: I wasn't sure about the nosebleed, maybe later. And yeah, Ami gets a second chance.

P96822: Anima V?

Invader Johnny: Right on both counts.

Guest: She briefly offered to have him stay at her place. He did so in the flashback to the date. Huh... I'm not sure on favorite alien. And no, he's not kissing her.

qazse: Definitely the villains. And the KND were baffled to see a kid and teenager who are actually close.

Major Simi: Thanks.

danifan3000: Maybe? Then again, I doubt Casper would freeze anyone.

Starlord Master: You're crazy. Soup is awesome!

Khy Dragon: Thanks.

ChrisZilla18: It is already. :)

DJ Rodriguez: We learned she picked him much earlier.

Dreams Come True 996: He chose Kim, who chose Danny.

Luiz4200: Probably?

Jebest4781: Sit tight. ;)

Leonardo: Kai is the only endtime love interest worse than Sam. Sam at the least is an old friend and I don't mind them being friends even if I think she's not a great one. Kai? None of that and Omniverse making her his endtine love interest because of his crush on her at 10 was a dumb decision.

Jay the Average Fanboy: This is the same Ben from this timeline. Also, I don't know who Subaru and Rem are.

Guest: No doubt part of Bat-Mite and Mxyzptly messing with them.

William Escobar 608: Gracias. Hice la cita con FP11 ayudando.