Author's Note: After a year, I'm back. This was my 2019 Spooktober writing challenge but I obviously didn't finish on time so I told myself I'd finish it in October 2020. I didn't know if I was going to come through but a very kind anonymous reviewer gave me the little bit of motivation I needed. Hope you enjoy!

Prompt 11: Stormy Night

Fire was flung through the air, narrowly missing Rook's flank. He spun around, shifting his stance to dodge another one aimed at his shoulder. He pulled his Proto-tool off his shoulder and switched it to shield mode. He batted a fireball aimed at Ben out of the air and shot his partner an impatient look. "Ben?!"

"I'm going, I'm going," Ben said, fiddling with his omnitrix. "Come on, give me something good!"

Ben closed his eyes, letting the holographic dial on his watch spin around, and brought his hand down. A green light enveloped his body and a new form took his place.

Wildmutt roared a wordless howl before his brain caught up with his actions. Out of habit, he looked down at his hands like a sighted creature, disbelief written over his features. He let out a groan that perfectly matched Ben's tone when he got an animal he didn't want.

Zed barked and pawed at Wildmutt's forearm, happy to have another canine in the group. Wildmutt bellowed back before whining and pawing at his nose. Realization dawned on Rook.

"I think the omnitrix is telling us to run. Wildmutt's sense of smell must be overpowered here," Rook pointed out as he used his proto-shield to bat away another incoming projectile. Wildmutt made a noise of agreement and grabbed Rook and Kevin in his claws hands and pulled them onto his back before either could protest. Not wasting any time, he took off running with Zed bounding after him.

"Woah!" Kevin yelped, grupping to Rook's shoulders so he didn't fall off. Thunder clapped overhead and a light drizzle began coming down. Kevin sighed. "Great. Just what we need. Two wet dogs on an alien planet."

"And a wet Rook," Rook said, gesturing at his own furry face. He tried to keep his distaste invisible. A little rain wouldn't distract him. "Ben, do you remember where the city is? Perhaps we can find shelter there."

Wildmutt made a wordless noise that Rook hoped was one of confirmation.

"Wait, didn't you guys say there were monsters here? Meaning it would be the monsters who made the city?" Kevin asked as the rain picked up. Thunder clapped again. "Can someone catch me up to speed?"

"This is Frakenstrike, Blitzwolfer, Snare-Oh, Whampire, and Ghostfreak's homeplanet."

"I don't know who any of those are! Except Ghostfreak. But the rest, nada."

Wildmutt bellowed again and Zed let out a bark, catching Rook and Kevin's attention. Lightning came down from the sky, making a beeline for the village up ahead. Relief and fear spread through Rook's chest at the sight of it and he fell silent, Kevin's efforts to get more information falling on deaf ears.

Wildmutt crossed the rest of the distance between the pumpkin field and the city with a few long strides and skidded to a halt behind one of the buildings at the edge of the town. Kevin and Rook jostled on his back, nearly falling off at the abrupt halt, just before the omnitrix timed out and they fell to the ground in an awkward heap.

Ben shook his head in a dog like manner and pounded the side of his head, trying to get water out of his ears, as Kevin and Rook collected themselves. Zed shuffled over, panting from the run, and flopped onto Kevin and Rook's laps in exhaustion.

Rook made a face as Ben flung water out of his hair onto his fur but bit back any complaints. "Did you sense anything nearby as Wildmutt?"

Ben nodded. "Yeah. There are a ton of villagers gathered in the middle of the town. I'm not really sure what they're doing."

"Something with the lightning I think," Kevin answered. He wiggled out from under Zed and began crawling to look out from behind the building. "I'm going to check it out."

"Bad idea," Ben said, putting a hand on his wrist. "These guys are scary."

"Yeah, yeah. Monsters, I know," Kevin said, rolling his eyes. "I can handle it."

"Let me go in as Frakenstrike," Ben argued. "At least I can blend in. Stay here. I'll be back in a sec."

Kevin grumbled and sat back, letting the younger boy crawl past him and out from their hiding place. Rook watched with worry and pulled Zed more onto his lap as he wished Ben luck and prayed he wouldn't get caught by the monsters awaiting him.