Author's Note: I own nothing.

22 Walking Nightmare

Jen surfaced as she turned back into herself spitting water. She shook her head, droplets flying as she did, grabbing hold of the ladder situated so she could climb back up onto the platform. She was wondering exactly how she'd gotten herself into this. Natalie Alverez, the woman who had organized the festival, had met her and Rook at the entrance, when they arrived. Jen's name had been added last minute to the flyers way at the bottom in such small print she barely spotted it herself. Apparently Mrs. Alverez had wanted Kangaroo Kommando. It was likely that she meant Able North, though he hadn't donned the costume in years. His twin brother Kane was still in jail from when he'd framed his brother for several crimes that Jen had managed to stop. But the kids had insisted that they wanted Jen Ten. Jen couldn't help but wonder if maybe Mrs. Alverez was a bit resentful that her idea had been shot down as she mounted the platform atop the dunk tank.

There was a small line of kids and teens waiting to dunk her, she'd already been at this for a few hours. Luckily the next one asked for Ripjaws which gave Jen the opportunity to take a deep breath under the water and show off a few flips to blow off steam. She resurfaced and turned back into herself climbing the ladder again. That was about when Rook showed back up. He was walking along with JT who was in a polo shirt that matched the others working the booths. Jen shook her head as they waved. She was busy dealing with another kid demanding aliens. One kid had about six tickets and demanded Spidermonkey, Four arms and Humungousaur in quick succession. Humungousaur's dunking was anticlimactic as she easily touched the bottom of the tank.

"Whatever, you're probably just some lady in a costume." Jen rolled her eyes barely holding back from pointing out that everyone in the area had literally just seen her transform. She turned back and swam to the ladder again. She sat on the platform getting ready to stand when a roar shook the scaffolding the tank rested on. She had never been happier to see Khyber's dog in her entire life.

But when it, as a Psycholeopterran, Big Chill's natural predator, chased her past the newly built Billions tower and caught her in its stare her world faded away. She was standing in the Bellwood base. She blinked confused until someone stepped up to her placing a hand on her shoulder.

'Are you well?' Rook asked smiling. The door opened and Gwen and Kevin walked in. There was a small gold band on both of their hands. A wedding ring. Gwen grinned at her.

'You're late for patrol Doofus.' Jen smiled.

Rook dove to the side shooting a blast at Khyber who barely dodged. Khyber laughed.

"You're quick on your feet Revonnahgander. But will you be quick enough to save her?" Rook lunged a snarl building behind his lips He caught Khyber's blow with the Proto-Tool and frowned slightly, he wasn't fighting with everything he had like he had last time they had traded blows. It was almost as if… His com unit blared to life.

"Rook it's a diversion! They're just here to waste our time!" Jen's voice was a welcome sound, the news she brought was less so. Khyber laughed stepping away and stowing his blade.

"And like that we're done. A friendly piece of advice, I would check your truck." He turned and raced away in the opposite direction of the parking lot. Rook pressed his com unit.

"You seem to be correct Jen. Khyber has advised we check the Proto-truck!"

"I'll meet you there."

Jen reached the truck first, the back door was partially open. She slammed it all the way open and her heart nearly stopped. Inside the truck was a figure she had not seen in years, one she had hoped to never see again. She had last seen him in a field as she plunged her hand, malfunctioning Omnitrix and all into the black and red sludge that made up its form. The circular red line on the Mechamorph's face turned to her and she stumbled backwards.

"Malware." The word was nearly silent as it slipped from her shaking. The Mechamorph turned from the console detaching one of its arms from the machinery. The ghastly tear that was his mouth seemed to quirk upwards.

"You've grown child." She stumbled backward nearly tripping over her own feet as Malware slid free from the truck. "You would do well not to cross me again. It did not go well for you last time."

"Jen!" The call from the entrance of the Festival distracted them both. Rook was racing their way and Malware took full advantage of Jen's distraction racing away from both of them. Jen remained rooted to the spot her legs seemed to have turned to stone even as her knees turned to jelly. Rook caught up to her and frowned. He had never seen true terror on her face before.

"What happened?" She shook her head, most of her was shaking as adrenaline pumped through her veins chased quickly by anger.

"He took something. You need to find out what he took." Some form of courage raced after her anger, the need for vengeance for what Malware had done to her, to Feedback. "I'm going after him." She took off before Rook could ask again what had happened, why she had gone so pale. It took him time to work through the mess left behind in his truck. By the time he had any idea what had happened Jen rejoined him. She still looked shaken to the core.

"What happened?" Rook asked hopping down from the truck. Jen shook her head.

"What did he take?" Rook shook his head steadying her slightly.

"Hard to tell, part of the memory core was destroyed." Jen nodded putting her hand on his and squeezing slightly as if reassuring herself that he was still there.

"You're lucky he didn't turn your whole truck to dust." Her voice sounded shattered in a way Rook had never heard.

"Who is he?" She shook her head fiddling with the Omnitrix.

"Malware, short story he's a galvanic Mechamorph and a total psychopath. Long story…" She shook her head and seemed slightly relieved to be interrupted by the same kid who'd accused her of just being someone in a suit approaching and apologizing. She nodded slightly as they headed back into the fair. She turned into Four Arms and replaced the large wooden bell on its plinth. Natalie Alverez smiled.

"Looks like I made the right choice after all." Jen smiled slightly but it looked forced as she headed back to the dunk tank. Rook made to follow her but she waved him off. He didn't go far though as the day began to dim. Her friend JT managed to persuade him into playing a few of the games and he ended up with a pet goldfish and a rather large stuffed animal that looked like a tiger but white. He wasn't sure if it was real or not and was trying to figure that out as Jen made her way over to him raising an eyebrow.

"When did you start collecting stuffed animals?" Rook frowned.

"I have not, it was a prize for a game." Jen's eyebrow climbed.

"Nice that's a top shelf prize." Rook held it out to her.

"I find it slightly unsettling." Jen laughed slightly.

"It's just a toy." He nodded.

"Regardless. I find it somewhat unsettling. Perhaps you can have some use for it." She took it, shaking her head slightly.

"Sure. What are you going to name the fish?" Rook regarded the small goldfish carefully.

"I do not know." Jen smiled lightly.

"We'll have to stop by the pet store and get you a tank for him." Rook nodded as the stalls around them began to close. They dropped by a nearby pet shop on the way back to base and Jen helped Rook pick out a small tank that would fit on his desk in his quarters along with some decoration and fish food. She helped him carry them to his room and set up the filter on the tank. After that she bowed out, still carrying the white tiger stuffed animal. When she reached her own quarters she locked the door behind her and slid down the door sobbing into the stuffed animal. She was shaking from head to toe, she had no idea how she'd held it together as long as she had.

She silenced her tears when a knock came at her door.

"Jen are you well?" She kept silent. Maybe he would think she went home to her parents. He wasn't one for barging in on her rooms without her permission. Silence reined as tears continued down her face. "If you need me I am here." Silence again it took a while for his footsteps to recede though. Jen let out another sob.