StrongGuy159 – Glad you liked it.

CrimsonSylvan – almost. It is the entire armor set that does it. The gauntlet is just how he interfaces with it. The armor increases his ability to drain the bioenergy of alien beings, like the device in Ultimate Alien. The gauntlet allows him to select the certain bioenergy and use it, even allowing him to use multiple ones without fear of going insane.

Spark681 – Yep.

Gamelover41592 – uh oh is right.

CCSakuraforever – all of that is coming soon. Just give it some time.

Draegoon – That was a mistake that I missed, thank you for pointing it out to me.

AtlasKP – glad you like the pairing idea.

Frankieu – you are welcome

Gible – Oh, I can only imagine the chaos those two would wreak.

Guest – yep.

Ace Alucard Lwolf – yes, and a few others.

Arria – that fixing will begin in this chapter. Or at least, have it set up to work.

Nicholas – no werewolf stories, but looking at the, I think a mix of the two would be a good idea. No to the Rokushiki. No, My Hero Academia girls, as they are not part of the universe. Sorry.

Sage of the Azure Phoenix – What would you like in terms of a trade-off. What would Naruto learn in return for giving them ninja secrets? I am aware that Naruto got girls from different villages, I was making that line as a joke.

Gible – joke man.

Samuel Santillan – It is charmcaster, and I'm glad you like it.

ChakraXDevilFruit – Honestly, I hadn't that through. I just remember the noisy cricket throwing agent K through the air. I had forgotten about the strength boost I gave him. Isn't my face red.

Las Piedras – glad you like it.

Alphaprince0 – the transformation will be fixed in a few chapters.

Alphaprince0 – I've already had it picked.

Despzito – sorry, but it is going to be a harem, a relatively small one. However, the girls will have their part, mainly acting as would-be sisters to Hope, and helping her gain confidence.

Kerenkay – She's there, she's just not making herself very well known. She's a bit more present in the next chapter.

– He is going back to the planet. I actually a little surprise planned for that.

Oritzale317 – Sorry, not for this one.

Uzu – You got it.

Samuel Santillan – You'll see for yourselves.

Guest – who said the plans involved reviving him.

Guest – Well, ding, the fight is about to start.

Gold Testament – nice guess but no.

Gold Testament – I went with the noisy cricket because it was unassuming. Something that could benefit a ninja. No, I did not include the disperser. Honestly, I had forgotten that there was a cartoon series. Doesn't mean it won't show up in the Plumber armor, though.

Gold Testament – Yep.

Killthy – sorry for the wait

Danirodriguez1995 – glad you like it

MUILucario - I suddenly have to urge to hide and be on the lookout for a black and red hedgehog.

KyleMMPR96 – you got more.

Idhun's Durmgist Feldunost – Um…is this in canon or is it aimed at my story. Please elaborate.

Darklio War – it will be

Rito Dragneel – You got more

Irbrenneke – Naruto's main affinities are fire, wind, and lightning. Lay on the ones you think suit best here. I'll be sure to let everyone knows who made them.

Now for those of you who care. I've set up the following for the pairing.

Naruto with a harem consisting of Charmcaster, Looma Redwind, and Shizuka. That is all.

Chapter 17: Some like them red hot…or red and hot.

Naruto sighed as he sat threw away the smoothie cup, once again trying to stave off the incredible sense of boredom that had come over him. Naruto wasn't really needed at the time. Ben and Rook had been joined by Gwen and Kevin, taking a break from college. Apparently, there was some problem going on in the null void, and Ben and Rook went to take care of it. Gwen and Kevin went along with them. Though, for some reason, Kevin seemed extremely nervous and was looking to get away as fast as possible.

Naruto glanced around as he walked through the Undertown market.

'Well, if there is any good news about today is that Merlin's trial is finally over,' Naruto thought, glad that his smart friend would be back this afternoon. A part of Naruto was starting to get a little homesick for Gaia.

Suddenly, screams of fear caught Naruto's attention as well as the sound of a roaring engine. Naruto's instinct then told him to move as he jumped out of the way of a small ship.

Naruto rolled and skidded to a stop as he looked up at ship black and gold with several tailpipes that burned with heat. If Naruto had to guess by the size, it was a single seater.

The ship then opened up and a very tall woman jumped out of the ship, landing on the ground in front of him. She was incredibly tall easily towering over him, and likely outweighed him by a hundred or more pounds, all pure muscle, but maintained a voluptuous shape. She was decked out in black leotard with gold and fur lined armor on her shoulders, and a skirt that only covered the back. Her four arms were decked out in fingerless elbow-length gloves with bandages around them, and her legs had greaves over bandages which left her two-toed feet bare. On her head was a black and gold helmet.

In one of those hands, she was gripping a humanoid rodent wearing an orange and yellow jacket and matching shorts, gray fur with black hair, purple-colored areas around his eyes, and a piercing in his ears.

'Rat…orange and yellow…that mut be Argit,' Naruto thought, having heard stories about the sneaky alien rat from Kevin. No doubt the guy was in trouble from a scam he had tried to pull.

"Is that one of Kevin Levin's allies," the Tetramand female growled out to Argit, tightening his grip on his throat.

"Yeah," Argit choked out, "they've known each other for years. If anyone knows where he is it will probably be him."

Naruto immediately sensing trouble declared, "Hold on a minute. First off, I haven't known Kevin for that long. The scam artist there is pulling the wool over your eyes lady."

Argit let out a gasp as the now enraged female clenched her hand around his throat as Naruto had revealed his deception.

"However," Naruto said, "I have to ask. What do you want with Kevin?"

The woman declared, "Looma Red Wind's business is her own. Now you will take me to Kevin, or you will suffer the consequences."

Naruto declared, "Sorry, but Kevin isn't on the planet right now. He's off on some Plumber business. Not sure what, but all I know is that he isn't here."

Looma threw down Argit, making the literal and figurative rat shout in pain, and stomped forward standing at her full height over Naruto. Naruto was briefly intimidated by the large woman but schooled his features and tried not to let it show.

Looma meanwhile was somewhat impressed at Naruto looked at her with no fear. He was certainly a brave one. However, she had more important things to deal with.

"Liar," she declared, "Kevin has issues with the Plumbers He would not work with them. Now you will tell me where he is, or I will beat the information out of you."

Naruto sighed and said, "Look lady, I don't know what your beef with Kevin is but-"

Naruto was cut off when Looma struck him in the face with a right cross that sent him flying backwards. Naruto rolled across the ground and caught himself skidding to a stop.

Naruto glared forward as he declared, "Okay."

Naruto shot forward at speeds that Loom was barely able to track. The sound of the impact rang out like a gunshot as Looma blocked the punch but winced under the strength that hit her.

'This boy…he is not human,' Looma thought, before a sudden impact, brought by Naruto's knee slamming into her stomach, knocking the air from her lungs. Naruto then grabbed the woman by her neck and suddenly, yanked downward flipping her over and slamming her onto her back.

Naruto spun around and threw out his hand to use the leash in an attempt to hit the downed Tetramand with her own vehicle but stopped when he remembered he didn't have it. This moment was all that Looma needed as she leapt up from the ground and threw dual haymakers at Naruto, which connected and sent him flying again.

Naruto caught himself and launched forward, but this time, Looma was ready. Naruto vanished from sight in a blast of smoke, replacing himself with Looma's vehicle. The woman let out a shout of pain as she clutched her new bruised hands. Naruto then leapt up and focused chakra into his hands performing a double chop on both of Looma's shoulders, making her cry out in pain, even though she had her armor.

"What…are you?" she growled, "You are no normal human."

Naruto chuckled and said, "Why should I tell you anything?"

Looma snarled, before saying, "Now I have to beat even more secrets to beat out of you!"

She charged in, unleashing a barrage of fast punches, only for Naruto to grab them and bring his legs up into her stomach, only for Looma's lower arms to catch the blows. Then she spun around and threw him like a ragdoll.

This time though, she chased after him intent on unleashing a barrage of strikes. Naruto quickly reacting sending win d chakra into his throat and unleashing a large blast from his mouth which threw the woman off balance for a moment.

That was all Naruto needed as he charged forward and grabbed the woman in an iron grip before suddenly pulling her further off balance and then hauling her into the air and throwing her sending her crashing into a nearby truck, denting it.

Suddenly, Pakmar popped out yelling, "Hey who is throwing things at Pakmar's truck!"

Unfortunately, that got Looma's attention, and she picked up the vehicle with a snarl and then threw it as hard as she could at Naruto. Naruto charged forward and created a small group of shadow clones who charged forward and tackled Looma. Naruto, in the meantime, caught the truck and set it down.

"You okay in there?" Naruto called out, as Looma caught two of the clones and slammed them into the ground destroying them.

Pakmar climbed out, covered in various colored sauces, and said, "Pakmar is going to have to get a shower, restock his freezer, and his variety of sauces but other than that, he is okay. Go stop crazy woman."

Naruto nodded and ran off to join his clones.

Pakmar then rubbed his chin and said, "Pakmar wonders if his insurance covers angry Tetramands."

Looma finally finished with Naruto's clones. Meanwhile, the original reach for his belt, wanting to pull out his railgun only to remember he didn't have his armor or weapons.

"Damn it," Naruto muttered aloud, "Why do I keep reaching for weapons that aren't there?"

Naruto formed more clones and charged in.

Loom finished the last of the clones and turned towards Naruto and his oncoming group, just in time to take two direct upper cuts to the jaw followed by two blows to her temples and then her throat.

The two clones then performed a pair of straights that knocked her backwards.

"NA!"

The clones performed overhanded punches that knocked her downward right into a new pair of clones that slammed their knees into her back

"RU"

The kick from the clones knocked them upwards and was then knocked even higher when the clones gripping her, swung underneath her and unleashed kicks into her back, right over her kidneys.

"TO"

The gripping clones and then others who had punched her and kicked her jumped from points over the walls and then performed axe kicks at the same time, slamming into her stomach, chest, and head.

"Uzumaki Barrage!"

Looma hit the ground with a loud crash and a blast of dust and debris. She was wincing as she realized Naruto was not only incredibly strong, but he knew where to hit. She was brought out of her thoughts when Naruto prepared to slam down on her feet first. The woman rolled to the side to avoid the impact and saw the clones ready to swarm her again. she acted, quickly spreading all four of her arms apart and then clapping them together creating a devastating shockwave that blasted the clones away and did a little damage to the surrounding area, causing the local aliens to scatter.

Looma growled as she looked around and was shocked to see that Naruto was currently running away into a nearby sewer pipe.

"Oh no," she growled, "You aren't getting away from me that easy."

The woman towards her craft and jumped in before taking off after the boy. Despite her anger and frustration at the beating she had taken she couldn't quell the excitement that was slowly rising in her chest.

Naruto ran down the sewer pipe, using charka to stick to the walls in an attempt to avoid making an obvious splashing sound as he ran. He then sat up on the ceiling and waited.

'Hopefully, this should get us to a nice empty spot outside of Undertown,' Naruto thought, 'I just have to wait.'

The boy didn't have to wait long as he heard the sound of a roaring engine. Naruto got ready. He jumped down and landed on the hood of Looma's vehicle with a grunt and used chakra to stick to the surface.

"Hello again," Naruto quipped as he prepared a chakra enhanced punch.

However, Loom wasn't going to just stand there and let him get away with that. She suddenly pulled on the steering wheel sending the ship upwards to crack into the ceiling. However, Naruto reacted quickly and swung around to the bottom of the ship. There, Naruto swung his hand while it was wrapped in wind chakra, slicing the metal, but was shocked to see it was holding up rather well. Naruto repeated the process tearing a gouge in the ship, but Loom dove suddenly, causing him to abort the operation.

Naruto swung up and wasted no time. He focused a large amount of chakra into his finds and brought them both down in a double hammer blow, nearly shattering the glass that covered the cockpit. A second blow shattered it.

Before the two could start brawling, however, the ship came out of the sewer pipe. The sudden burst of light temporarily blinded Looma who threw a blind punch at Naruto with the intent of knocking him off her ship. Naruto managed to dodge the close-range punch before shooting forward with a shot forward with a punch of his own right on the nose breaking it and earning a cry of pain.

The Gaian ninja then leapt off the vehicle as it crashed to the ground, digging a furrow in the earth.

Suddenly, Looma climbed out of her ship and growled at Naruto as she gripped her face and reset her nose with a crack.

"You fight with a great deal of spirit boy," she said, "I'll admit you have gained my interest."

Naruto said, "What can I say. I can be an interesting guy."

Suddenly a loud roar got their attention. Looking up they saw that a large ship was currently heading towards them, with a color scheme similar to Looma's ship. The ship then dropped a quartet of all around them, and a large altar rose up behind them.

Out of the dust stepped another Tetramand. He was large, far larger than Four Arms, bulky and muscular. He has a full horn on the left side of his helmet and a broken one on the right. His lower left eye was covered with an eye-patch, and he was missing his left lower arm and has a scar on his upper left arm. He wore black pants and black fingerless gloves. He has a golden shoulder pad on his upper left arm and golden arm shields on his hands. Under his knee, he has golden leggings. He has a white fur cape which comes out from a black-orange badge with golden cover on his torso. His gloves' cuffs are made of the same white fur. He has dark olive bandages on his waist.

The three-eye Tetramand looked over the two and noticed his daughter's state before looking at Naruto.

"Is this human giving you trouble in your hunt for Kevin Levin, my daughter?" the large Tetramand asked raising an eyebrow.

Looma faced her father and declared, "He is no normal human father, though he greatly resembles one. He has a great arsenal of powers and is a great warrior."

The large Tetramand looked at Naruto and looked at him with a critical eye. Despite the interruption the boy has not relaxed, and he is ready to spring at a moment's notice. His eyes were also darting in different directions, likely looking for more potential opponents.

"He keeps Kevin Levin from us, father," Looma declared earning the large alien's attention before turning towards Naruto.

"Hear me, boy," he declared, "In interfering with our business you have challenged the house of Red Wind. As its leader I, Gar Red Wind, will oversee this challenge. If you manage to defeat my daughter here, our business with Levin is undone. But if you fail, we will tear this planet apart looking for him."

Naruto growled a bit at this and thought, 'Damn it, Kevin what kind of mess did you get involved in?'

Naruto glared at Looma who cracked her knuckles and then charged forward. Naruto ducked under the woman's punch and aimed to strike at her lower arm's armpit, however, she launched an overhead punch with upper right arm, stopping him as his fist crashed to the ground at his feet. Looma then launched forward and grabbed him in a bear hug with the intent of crushing his bones, but Naruto quickly performed a substitution, a log appearing in a puff of smoke.

"Where did this come from?" she asked.

However, before she could fully process, she cried out in pain as something dug into her back. Naruto had lashed out with a chop that was powered with wind chakra, that cut through her back, Naruto had made sure to put a little extra strength cutting her back. Looma performed a blind and angry swing with both her arms. However, Naruto ducked under the blind swing and performed an uppercut, also powered by wind chakra, slamming a fist to the jaw that tore open her chest and stomach, her teeth clacking almost cracking. Her helmet even flew off her head, revealing shoulder-length black hair.

"You little brat!" she yelled performing a powerful clap with her hands sending a shockwave that knocked Naruto back. Looma fought through the pain as she charged at Naruto unleashing a barrage of punches, that Naruto parried and blocked, using his smaller size to his advantage.

Naruto knew it was a war of attrition at this point. The more Looma pushed herself, the more she would bleed, and she would wear herself out.

Gar looked on in surprise at the tactics the boy was using. He not only boasted strength, but a power over the winds, and a tactile mind. He couldn't help but grin.

'Smart boy. Blood loss and pain will slow Looma down. If he had wanted to kill her, he could have gutted her with that sharp wind. The boy shows restraint at least.'

He saw Looma was slowing down and decided that the battle would go in Naruto's favor. It was clear that his daughter wouldn't be able to fight for much longer.

Gar raised his hand, but Looma saw this out of the corner of her eyes and yelled, "Don't you dare!"

Gar was briefly shocked, and Naruto stepped back as she said, "If you really think that a little blood loss with stop me boy, you have another thing coming!"

Naruto was then punch in the stomach twice by Looma's lower arms, before being clapped over the ears by her upper ones, and then her lower ones as he fell. A double haymaker from her sealed the deal and knocked him away.

To the shock of Gar, Looma leapt at her vehicle and ripped a piece of it off, still smoking and hot from the drive. She then slammed it into her chest wound, and using her other arms, and did the same to her back.

Looma howled with pain but dropped the piece and her gloves and bandages which had burned from the heat.

Naruto stared in shock at Looma crude and unexpected cauterization.

'So much for that plan,' Naruto thought before his gaze shifted to Looma's vehicle and got another idea.

Naruto then raised his arms up, focusing wind charka and unleashing several blades of them. Looma charged forward, crossing her arms to protect the burn on her chest and stomach as she ran at Naruto. Naruto however wasn't aiming at her. One of the blades struck true and slice open the gas tank, fuel pouring out of the vehicle.

Naruto then created a barrage of clones that swarmed Looma unleashing punches and kicks on her burns and unguarded head. However, as Naruto leapt away from the group of clones and landed on top of the vehicle and went through hand signs as fast as he could.

Looma managed to shake off the clones and destroyed them with a sonic clap.

She spun around the face Naruto just as he finished his signs.

Suddenly, the fuel on the ground and still in the tank flooded outwards and transformed into a serpent form.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

The liquid serpent launched forward and slammed into Looma before she could react. Looma grimaced in pain as the vapors invaded her nose and stung her eyes and her wounds. Naruto then slammed punch to her stomach and then threw her into the air and towards her ship.

Looma stood up quickly, wincing in pain, and her eyes widened in realization, as she saw lighting forming around Naruto's hand. He slammed it into the ground, lighting up the fuel which raced forward towards her and the tank. Looma tried to dodge, but the flames ignited the fuel on her body, making her scream in pain.

Then, the fuel still in the vehicle's tank ignited and exploded launching her forward.

As she flew, Naruto formed a familiar spinning ball in his hand. Before charging forward and slamming it into the flying woman's stomach, this time not even bothering to call out the attack name. Looma screamed in agony as the ball buried into her stomach and then launched her backwards towards the alter, which she slammed into with a thunderous sound, thankfully the shockwave of the impact had put out the flames, but now in the middle of her stomach was a raw spot, where the Rasengan had dug into her skin.

Naruto rose up ready to fight until he saw Looma wasn't getting up.

Naruto looked at the damage and then at woman before saying, "Okay…that might have been a little overkill."

Gar stood over his daughter worried but was glad to see her still breathing. Suddenly, alarms rang, and everyone turned towards the noise to see a couple Plumber ships approaching.

"Oh, now they show up," Naruto said with an annoyed tone.

A few minutes later…

Naruto felt like he was back at the academy as he was being lectured by Patelliday for not making a call and for getting into trouble.

As the two were talking, Max had taken Looma to the medical bay for treatment for her injuries, and to find out why they were hunting Kevin to begin with.

"Look man," Naruto said, "I don't go looking for trouble. Besides, it was Argit who set the woman on me. Probably looking for a way to save his own hide."

The fish humanoid simply said, "I wouldn't put it past him given his reputation. Though, we may have a bit of a problem in the future, or you might. The House of Red Wind is practically royalty on Khoros. You may have made some dangerous enemies if you hurt his daughter like you did."

Naruto sighed and said, "Yeah, I kind of figured that out after seeing the damage I did to her when my war of attrition tactic failed. Honestly, I didn't think she would just cauterize her own wounds with piece of her ship like that."

The magister simply stated, "Tetramands are a tenacious and stubborn bunch. Once they set their sights on something, it is a nightmare to get them to stop. And if that Kevin boy managed to make them angry, then he may have some questions to answer."

Suddenly, a portal flashed into existence in the loading bay, revealing Rook's personal vehicle the proto-TRUK. Then a second, smaller ship appeared, one that Naruto and Patelliday recognized as Galvan in design.

Naruto smiled as he made his way down to the bay.

Kevin, Gwen, Rook, and Bena all exited the Proto-TRUK, but all three of them looked a little disturbed. It was the exact opposite as Merlin and Azmuth exited their ship.

"Naruto," Merlin said happily as he jumped up and climbed on Naruto's shoulder, "Good to see you again boy."

Naruto smiled and said, "You too, Merlin."

Naruto then turned his attention to Kevin and said, "Hey, Kevin…"

Naruto was about to inform him about his run-in with Looma, only to find all four members of the group looked somewhat disturbed.

"What is it?" Ben asked, "You guys look like you've seen a ghost."

Rook was the first to come to and declared, "Magister Patelliday…we need to talk."

Ben turned and said, "Azmuth, Naruto, Merlin, come with us. This may involve you too."

The Galvan brothers and the Gaian ninja all walked towards the privacy of the Magister's office.

Naruto and the group all prepared to talk.

"The mission went about as well as expected," Ben said, "we managed to stop the group that was causing trouble with the null void. However, he found out that it was the Plumbers who were the problem. The Rooters to be specific."

The magister gasped and said, "What?"

Naruto asked, "Who?"

Rook answered, "The Rooters were a Black Ops Plumber group in charge of keeping control in the Null Void. Something that was added when Dr. Animo broke into it and could not get out, but was employed by Kormite, a mineral found there, which gave him incredible power."

Naruto nodded in understanding.

"What does this have to do with us?" Merlin asked.

Gwen revealed, "In the Null Void we were ambushed by the Rooters. Only…they had gone through some intense changes in the null void. And not from the Kormite."

Rook's proto-tool had a part shift and it flashed an image on the wall, the image of which shocked.

Patelliday's eyes widened in shock upon seeing human alien hybrids wearing the familiar plumber black Ops uniform. Merlin and Azmuth had similar looks of shock. Though there was a fourth that they could not explain, looking like some kind of humanoid arachnid.

Rook explained, "Apparently, Rooters Servantis, Swift, and Leander were augmented with the DNA of a cerebrocrustacean, Aerophibian, and Prypiatosian-B DNA."

Patelliday gulped at the sight of this, but as he looked at the fourth member, he couldn't help but wonder who that was.

"And what about the big guy? Who was that?" he asked.

Kevin answered, "An old friend Max…Phil Billings."

Patelliday's eyes widened as he heard the name of the former plumber turned egotistic maniac. He knew that being in the null void could change a person. However, he could only guess that it was that bad.

"Do you know who did this to them?" Patelliday asked, "Please tell me we don't have some maniac supplying alien DNA to people."

Azmuth then asked, "You don't think it could be Albedo, do you?"

Merlin said, "I always had a bad feeling about that old student of yours."

Gwen sighed and said, "No. We did manage to beat them, but before we couldn't contain them."

The image projected on the proto-tool changed, showing the members of the Rooters and Phil screaming in agony their bodies glowing brightly from the inside. (1)

"What the hell?" Naruto asked, in shock, "What is this?"

Ben answered, "It happened shortly after we beat them. Their bodies started glowing and they just fell to the ground…dead. It was like their DNA had been torn apart. They didn't even leave anything behind other than their armor."

Kevin added, "Though we do know that it wasn't Albedo. Servantis cried out to some crab head before he died. Apparently, we have someone else dealing in alien DNA now."

Merlin nodded and said, "It isn't that surprising that Cerebrocrustacean would be responsible. They and the Galvans have had a long rivalry with one another trying to prove who is smartest. Apparently, we have another copycat."

Ben nodded and said, "Yeah, but we may have bigger problems than a knock-off omnimatrix. Something happened during my fight with Phil I kept transforming into electric aliens. Sort of like when I was locked in one form during the fight with Crabdozer and Cerbrutal."

Patelliday nodded and said, "I'll start digging into the Rooter base. This is going to become one of our top priorities. In the meantime, this is going to stay between us. We don't want it getting out that someone is out there gene-splicing people."

Everyone nodded with that they exited the office and headed back down to the bay. They were cut off when Max and Gar met with them. Kevin paled as he saw the massive Tetramand.

"Ah, Kevin Levin," Gar said happily, "I was wondering when you would show yourself."

Kevin began to back away and said, "Now Gar, there is a good reason you didn't see me, I was working with the Plumbers here and got a little…sidetracked?"

Gar said, "Yes. I can see that. Honestly, when the blond boy here…"

Naruto interjected, "Naruto."

Gar nodded saying, "Naruto, thank you. Told us that you were on Plumber business we didn't believe it given your…criminal record at the time. However, you do not have to worry, out of this incident has come a champion fully worthy of marrying my daughter."

The group went quiet after they heard that.

"What?"

Kevin started to pale as Gwen looked curious and asked, "Are you telling me that Kevin and your daughter were engaged?"

Not seeing, or ignoring, Kevin's look Gar answered, "Yes. He needed a piece of technology from us and agreed to take it and in exchange he would one day marry my daughter, Looma. However, thanks to Naruto's defeat of her in combat, he has taken his place as her fiancé."

Turning to the still shocked blond, Gar continued, "And the battle scars you gave her during her battle are legendary. No doubt her wedding dress will display them proudly to those who attend the wedding. Good battle my future son-in-law."

As Gar left, Naruto noticed Kevin was slinking away, only to whither under the dark glare of the ninja and his own girlfriend.

"You went into the null void to avoid your fiancé," Naruto said, "and you left me to clean up your mess."

Kevin stuttered, "Look I really needed the tech, okay. And honestly, after so long I may have forgotten about it. It wasn't until I remembered the date that I realized she'd be coming after me."

Gwen growled, "So your first instinct was to hide? You took advantage of her custom. And when were you going to tell me that you were engaged? Why not just give the technology back?"

Kevin answered, "First off, how do you tell your girlfriend that your engaged to another woman. Second, I was not about to give up my car."

Kevin realized what he said, immediately after it left his mouth and covered it.

"Your car?" Gwen asked, her tone flat as was the expression on her face, "You kept a secret engagement to a brutal, powerful alien woman…so you could keep your car?"

Kevin sighed and answered, "Yeah. Khoros engine block."

Rook said, "That would explain a lot. Khoros engine blocks are virtually indestructible."

Naruto muttered, "Maybe they should put that kind of ingenuity into their fuel tanks."

Kevin asked, "How do you think I kept that thing running in spite of all the beatings that it's taken."

Ben interjected, "Honestly, I always thought he was either that good of a mechanic, or that you had some seriously good car insurance."

Gwen didn't say anything. She walked up to Kevin, slapped him in the face on both cheeks and then walked out.

Naruto winced as he said, "I think someone is in the doghouse. And he may be for some time."

Rook said, "I take it this means that Kevin is in trouble with Gwen, and it will take a great deal of…I believe the phrase is "kissing up" to make up for it?"

Ben patted Rook on the shoulder and said, "Got it in one, partner."

With that Merlin said, "I think that might be enough drama for one day. Now, Naruto, I believe it is time that we head home."

Naruto nodded and said, "Yeah. I think so too. A fun as Earth is, I've been starting to miss Gaia."

With that, the two began to head off for the Techadon factory. Naruto was shocked to see the factory was now painted black and green.

"Whoa," Naruto said, "What happened here?"

Merlin chuckled and said, "It was one of the reasons that it took so long. Azmuth gave me a bit of a parting gift. They dismantled almost all the technology and transformed the factory into my brand-new laboratory. It kept the living quarters and the training room, as well as a new area for building robots and weapons. Thy even included a new set up for your armor. We can have a tour on the way back to Gaia."

Suddenly, Ben said, "Hey, Naruto."

Turning back to the Omnimatrix wielder, Ben said, "One of these days, we are going to have a rematch."

Naruto smirked and declared, "Looking forward to it."

With that said Naruto entered the factory turned laboratory and took off through the air and into the skies. Heading home.

Unknown to any of them, however, dark forces were at work.

Albedo's secret base…

Albedo crunched some numbers on a console and grinned vindictively as he watched the image of the members of the Rooters burning out on the screen.

"Well, that takes care of those loose ends," the Ben lookalike said with a smirk.

Albedo had found Psychobos' use of genetic manipulation fascinating. It had been hard work to get the self-destruct system to work the way he wanted it to, but it was ready to go.

A sinister voice hissed, "What's going on here?"

Albedo switch the screen to some schematics before looking towards who spike.

The voice was a dark figure floated across the room, resembling ghost. His body was humanoid, wearing dark clothes and a tattered cloak over his body with the hood down. His face, the only thing visible, was that of a ghostly purple skeleton with sharp teeth, and a single purple eye in the left socket. A familiar scythe was present on his back.

"Just double checking a few numbers," he said, "Don't want your new bodies to come apart in battle because I miscalculated, as impossible as that sounds."

A second voice, also sinister, said, "Yes it would be such a shame to waste a new body like this."

The second figure was large and bulky with a huge and monstrous shape and dressed in tattered looking red and black royal robes. On his back were a huge pair of bat wings, folded. His face was somewhat humanoid with a somewhat pig-like nose, and a mouth filled with yellow teeth. His eyes were a dark purple.

Albedo smiled and said, "Speaking of which, how are you enjoying your new upgrades, Zs'Skayr, Lord Transyl?"

The now evolved Zs'Skayr declared, "It feels incredible, at my weakest I feel as though I am at my full potential in the dark void of space. Add in your special improvements..."

Lord Transyl smirked and said, "Yes. And I feel as though I could rule my planet for a thousand of my lifetimes. Of course, offering up those pigs that make up the human population as payment for our services is appreciated."

Albedo nodded and turned back to the screen, not seeing the two Anur System monsters glancing at the screen where they saw Albedo change it quickly. The two glanced at each other, knowing their acquaintance was up to something.

Suddenly, Aggregor appeared, saying, "I hate to interrupt this conversation, but has anyone seen Malware? He should have been back by now."

Albedo turned his attention back to the group and mumbled to himself saying, "A fair point. He should have returned by this point. I wonder if he ran into our recruit in the Null Void."

Suddenly, a portal opened, and Malware walked out his chest having a null void projector in it before it faded. In his grip was Animo who was struggling to get out of his grip.

"Let me go! Mechanical monstrosity!" the madman yelled angrily.

Growing annoying with the sound of the human struggling. Lord Transyl Fired a bat-like object from his mouth. It connected with Animo's head and grew, until he completely wrapped all around the top part of his head. The enhanced corruptura dug deep, practically fusing to his head.

Malware dropped the human who then scrambled to bow to his master.

"Why do we need this human again?" Zs'Skayr asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It is all part of the plan," Albedo said, "And don't worry, you can eat him or do whatever you want with him when you are done."

At this point, Albedo realized Malware was unusually quiet. He looked towards the corrupted Galvanic Mechamorph and asked, "Is there something you are withholding from us, Malware?"

Malware stood silent before he began to speak, or rather let out a high-pitched whine that caused him to freak out especially Lord Transyl as he had sensitive hearing. He began to twitch and spasm like he was having a seizure, and a huge chunk of his back was suddenly ripped off. No…it leapt off almost like it was alive.

Malware fell to his hands and knees letting out a groan of pain before declaring, "That was unpleasant."

The black metal then expanded until it was the size of a beach ball and then grew into a humanoid shape with a red glow. The figure was skeletal, somewhat like Zs'Skayr's new form, but with a glowing red energy about it, similar to what they knew of an Anodite. His face had a skeletal appearance with two fangs.

The group reacted immediately, with Malware stumbling forward before baring his claws at the stranger. Lord Transyl spread his wings in an intimidating display of size as a hum was heard from his claws as they began to glow. Zs'Skayr and Aggregor drew their respective weapons, the formers eye glowing bright. Albedo's hands hovered over his ultimatrix. Animo…jumped in front of Lord Transyl reacting to his master's thoughts via the corruptura acting as a meat shield.

There was a tense silence as the figure looked around and seemed to hum before saying, "Interesting."

Albedo growled out, "Who are you?"

The figure looked at the group of villains and declared, "I am…Alpha."

Cut, I decided to cut it here.

Albedo, Aggregor, Malware, Lord Transyl, Zs'Skayr, Vilgax, and now Alpha. Three more spaces to fill, and I know exactly who it is going to be. I hope that you all enjoyed this little trip. For the next few chapters, Naruto is going to return to Gaia, and he is going to get a few surprises while he is there.

Flames ignored criticism welcome.

(1) Remember in Teen Titans when Slade injected most of the team with nanites.