Ben 10: Rising of the Shield Hero

by Chris Chronos

The Story about Ben Tennyson, the Omnitrix Wielder, being summoned to the world of the "Rising of the Shield Hero" with Ben as the Shield Hero. Diverged from the original storyline at a point. After Ben has saved his own universe several times, will he successfully save this world, too? (Ben Tennyson after the events of "New Dawn", with a complete Omnitrix.)

14. Chapter 14: THIRD WAVE OF CATASTROPHE

BEN 10: RISING OF THE SHIELD HERO

CHAPTER 14: THIRD WAVE OF CATASTROPHE

This took me more time. Sorry about that, and this chapter is a little cramped and fast-paced. And included anime-theme cringeworthy scenes meshed up with cartoon theme dad jokes. Author's notes after the chapter.

"Being a hero isn't about fame. It's about putting other people before yourself or what you want. It's about doing the right thing just because it's the right thing to do. It's about making a difference.

No, this isn't what it's about. I AM… A HERO!"

- Ben Tennyson (Omniverse) -

It's been a week since Ben has gone missing without warning.

We have no clue where he is. Knowing Ben, he can be in some kind of trouble.

Ever since Alien Force was sorta disbanded, I didn't see Ben very often. His new partner, Rook Blonko, is a trusted magister of Plumbers.

But, Rook himself contacted us about Ben's disappearance.

That information stirred the plumbers but at this rate, they can control the conditions.

The problem is Ben was their powerful ally so they can't just have him missing.

"Ester called me like three times a day to ask if I found out whereabouts of Ben."

I mutter, looking at the smartphone that is showing the recent incoming call list.

"Tennyson sure has it rough, huh? But I am not worried. Knowing him, even if it's some kinda trouble, he will play it well. And the crime rate has declined. We got everything under control, here, too."

Kevin comments. I think he is trying to satisfy me or something.

He stopped me from using my magic abilities to look for Ben. It's been a week. Of course, even if I don't show it, I am worried as hell.

Grandpa Max and Plumbers say no every time I ask them.

"Kai only asked me once to have Ben accompany her on her trip to Asia."

Kevin laughs dryly before sipping on the smoothie.

"You can't get every girl to love Ben, you know?" he mocks.

"You are sick," I growl throwing a punch in his guts, softly.

Every time a girl approached Ben, I had to check on her if she was a good girl or not. Some of the girls had ulterior motives. Some of them liked and loved Ben even if he didn't figure them out. There might be millions of fangirls thirsting for him, who knows.

It's not like I did it out of jealousy. But after knowing Ben for years, I know he is kinda dense and naive. And does not usually have good luck when comes to women.

But I kinda like that Ester girl. She is half-human so I like her better than a tetramand princess, at least. I don't like Kai's attitude on Ben, though. But it's not mine to decide, huh.

My smartphone suddenly rings in my hands. I hastily answer the call.

"Hello, Grandpa Max, what's up? Found something about Ben?"

"Yes, Gwen. We found CCTV footage that Ben was together with a man in a labcoat near a smoothie shop. But then both suddenly vanished into thin air. I think it's the last clue we can get, Gwen," Grandpa Max calmly replies.

"Professor Paradox?" I ask.

"Likely he is. If it is the case, we can rest assured. They may have something to do in secret… I don't think Paradox fellow would do something unreasonable like abducting Ben."

"Oh, thanks for telling me, Grandpa."

"Don't mention it. Oh, I gotta go. Bye, Gwen."

"Bye Grandpa," I whisper.

Kevin is looking at me with curious eyes and then he averts his eyes as if he isn't worried about Ben.

"What did your Grandpa say?"

"He told me about CCTV footage that caught Ben meeting with Paradox."

He laughs when he hears it.

"I hope there isn't another time war," and sips on the drink.

"Searching for Ben, I suppose, Gwen and Kevin."

Speak of the devil, or maybe speak of the time walker. A certain man in a white lab coat walks to us who are sitting at a table in the Mr. Smoothies shop.

"I didn't know you can show up in public places, too," Kevin says.

"Benjamin is on a vacation at the time. But I didn't really send him to another universe. He accepted my offer and went there by himself."

The Time Walker says with a British Accent.

"Why are you here? If you gotta tell us, it's been a week, you know."

To be honest, I am annoyed. He didn't come to tell us the whole last week.

"Benjamin is no longer in this… multiverse. He is in an entirely different universe where there is no Ben 10."

"Oh, is that why Gwen has no luck finding him with her power?" Kevin asks curiously.

"Partially correct. But you need more power to find out the whereabouts of Benjamin since he is currently outside of your multiverse. No worries, Gwen and Kevin. I can assure you he is doing fine. An apprentice of mine is taking care of him."

I find it a little creepy the way his smile never falters and his voice stays calm.

"It's still a developing world," he continues. "A world resulted from the combination of four separate worlds. The concept of life and magic, mana… there are challenges for Ben but he has passed most of them."

Kevin cups his chin. "Magic,... hmm." And he looks at me.

"What?" I ask.

"Their magic is different from Gwen's," Time Walker adds.

"Will he be OK?" I demand.

"You know Benjamin. I can guarantee his safety, too. Oh, that aside, I need to bring you to Azmuth. He is kinda wanting to see you two."

I daze for a moment.

"For what?" Kevin asks, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"He has a surprise for Gwen, he said. And you have to prepare yourselves for the enemies that may arise in the future."

"What is it exactly?" I raise my voice.

"A new Omnitrix. Not as perfect as the one Benjamin has."

-(TRANSITION)-

After letting Filo play with Melty for a while, when we depart for the capital, it is already evening.

"So sounds like my sister did a lot to you," Melty asks, lowering her voice.

Did I unintentionally make her feel guilty for something unrelated to her?

I shrug. "It's nothing to me. I kinda like being alone. You see, all those powers and transformations… I can't reveal to them so it's OK for me. Don't feel anything for what your sister did. She is that kind of person."

She lets out a sigh of uneasiness. "That's why she lost the position of Crown Princess to me."

Arian enters the conversation.

"Isn't it dangerous to be around her?" she asks Melty.

Melty shakes her head. "I have to manage to survive anyway. I have things to do in the capital."

She is only 10 years old. What kind of parents made her do things?

"Uh… hahah seems like we gotta camp out in the forest. Heheh, say you OK with it?"

I ask Melty, laughing awkwardly, to break the uneasiness.

"Yes, I am OK."

And then we find an inn in the forest out of nowhere.

"This reeks of suspicion."

Arian says, staring at the inn.

The building is fancy and the walls are decorated in a pattern which I recognize is similar to the patterns in my world.

"Let's check it out," I led them into the inn.

"Welcome, travellers."

A masculine voice welcomes us.

He looks like 20. He is a little taller than me. His outfit is white like a chef's outfit.

"Chris? What are you doing here?"

Arian exclaims, staring at the man.

"Oh, if it's not Aria, or rather Arian? Please don't tell your mother about this."

"What… What are you doing here? Answer me."

The man wears a cocky smile.

"I have business with Ben boy here. You can stay at the inn if you want, of course for free."

I frown at his reply.

"What do you mean?" I demand.

"I am an apprentice of Professor Paradox. Christopher Phantom Chronos, Occupation: Time Keeper. Nice to meet you."

He extends a hand to shake in a manner.

I am petrified for seconds, staring at him in disbelief.

But an average person wouldn't know Paradox.

I have no choice but to believe him.

I grab his hand back and he shakes my hand.

"Nice to meet you, Ben Tennyson, the Wielder of Omnitrix."

"Wait, Chris," Arian interrupts. "How do you know Ben? Who is Paradox? And what's with "time keeper" stuff?"

Chris merely raises an eyebrow before answering.

"Ask Ben boy to answer those questions. I am just a minor character. Don't pay attention to me, young Aria."

And so Chris disappears into the thin air before our very eyes

There is a long silence.

"Oh, er…" Melty speaks up. "I don't understand the whole thing but… well, it's complicated, right? I don't wanna know."

I nod in agreement.

"Why are you agreeing with her?" Arian grabs my shoulders and shakes me. "You have to tell me about him!"

I decline desperately.

"No, I don't know him. I just… heard of him once or twice. He gets out of nowhere you see. And he has been working at your mansion for… like 10 years. You got to know him better than me."

Minor Character? What does this word mean? Christopher Phantom Chronos… I'm pretty sure Phantom and Chronos aren't normal names. Chronos is the Greek God of Time.

"Then we are leaving," Arian hurriedly drags me out of the inn to the cart.

Melty and Filo are staring at the muscular man dragged by a small man.

"Hey, uh… We should stay–"

"No, I don't believe him and all that stuff! I am gonna tell my mom to kick him out as soon as I get home!"

So we have to spend the night on the cart.

"You said you assembled the whole carriage, right? It's impressive!"

Melty cheerfully praised me to relax my nerves.

"It's nothing impressive, pretty easy. I suppose."

I talk back with a tired voice.

I try to open my eyes but I think it again. Rather not.

Melty is sleeping outside near a campfire with Filo as a filolial body.

Arian also sleeps with them for their safety.

I am… sleeping on the cart. Don't think it's comfortable though. I don't have a campfire inside the cart.

And so Melty has joined us on our journey.

-(BREAK)-

When we get to the capital, I offer to accompany Melty. We separate paths from Arian and Filo as they go to the magic shop to extract magic threads and order an outfit or two for Filo at the tailor's shop.

Since I am a wanted criminal and disguised, I don't wanna bother the magic shop owner although I trust them. I haven't even seen Erhard.

"Thank you so much for accompanying me."

Melty says as we walks in the halls of the castle.

"Don't mention it, it's my job and your mom personally ordered me for your safety," I reply with a grin.

When we get in front of a room, she turns at me and requests me to wait outside of the room while she enters.

I don't wanna evaesdrop on them.

I am standing, with my back facing the door.

I hear the door open and turn to see the King coming out.

"Sir Tros Bennett, I hear from Princess that you escort her to me. Let me arrange rewards for you."

I raise an eyebrow at him but immediately smile to deceive him.

"Oh, the Queen has already paid me for this job, so please don't mention the rewards. I have gained more than I deserve."

Melty gives me a thumb-up behind the King inside the room.

I also notice the King narrowed his eyes for a moment but he says nothing about it.

Then we left the castle for Melty's errands.

"Are you taking me on your journey?"

I stretch the back of my neck and take some seconds to think.

"Yea, pretty much I can. I am rich."

"No, I'm not talking about–"

"YOU CHEEKY MERCHANT!"

Well well well… there he comes. I hear the Motoyasu yelling and see charging towards me. I quickly grab Melty and get out of his way, his spear thrusting into the ground.

He sure said he would win next time we saw each other. Oh my, I forgot he was in the capital.

"Sorry, Milady."

I say putting down the girl.

"Don't worry Bennett, who's that?" she asks, looking at the random weird guy with a spear who attacked me out of nowhere.

"The Hero of the Spear. Look out!"

I grab her again and barely dodge his incoming spear.

"YOU! Pedophile!"

Alright, I'm gonna say it. Pedophile joke is sick, please don't say such jokes!

"Why is the legendary hero attacking a citizen out of nowhere?! Where are the guards?"

I yell, hoping it will be a warning for Motoyasu to not attack me.

And the girl I'm with is the crown princess.

"I'm gonna defeat you."

For no reason, right? I'm not even his beloved shield hero but he's still wanting to fight me.

I transform into Diamondhead under my mask and grab the spearhead.

"Hmm!" His eyes widen in shock.

"I order thee! Crystallize!"

I wish it's more convincing. I crystallize the spear a little which causes the hero to retreat his weapon.

"You! Cheater Mage!"

Random insults come out of his mouth but I don't care.

I transform into Big Chill under my mask and carry the princess then jump onto the roof. In fact, I flew.

"You know who this girl is?!" I shout to him.

"Why do I care?!" he barks back.

"This is the Crown Princess of Melromarc, you jerk!" I shout back. "Get your butt out of here before I call the guards and have you arrested like that shitty shield hero!"

I even insult myself to get him out of our sight.

But he doesn't… believe.

"Don't spout nonsense like that!"

Melty glares at me for some reason.

"What?"

"Let's go. Avoid him, don't start a fight."

I don't think anymore and do as she said. I jump into the sky, immediately turning into Deejay Emcee before teleporting to the Erhard's Shop.

What? This is the only place I can think of.

Erhard stares at us in awe as a piece of bread is bitten.

"Sorry about that," I apologize, smiling awkwardly.

Erhard nods without particular meaning.

"It's OK," he says. "Are you by chance related to shield hero? His father? He always came to my place… like that."

I shrug.

"I can say that. Er… Tell me, if I am the shield hero, can I trust you?"

He raises an eyebrow at my question.

"As long as he doesn't cause a problem for me."

I think for some seconds and look back at Melty.

Then I deactivate the ID Mask.

The shopkeeper stares at me, amazed.

"I don't know what trick it is, but you learned good magic, kid!" he exclaims.

This isn't magic though. Whatever. I even feel guilty for keeping it from him.

I take out two bags of crystals from the inventory and hand them to him.

"I didn't visit you for two weeks, right?"

He grabs the bags and smirks.

"I can understand. I should thank you for being a regular here."

And gives me a bag of silvers.

"May I know who she is?"

He asks, pointing a finger at the blue-haired girl.

"Oh, don't pay attention to her, she is just the crown princess of Melromarc."

Erhard widens his eyes in shock.

"You are telling me she's JUST the crown princess and to not pay a mind to her?!"

I look back at the girl who shrugs off my questioning eyes.

"Oh, well, yeah. Look, we are troublemakers, you see. I am a wanted criminal and she is the crown princess. Her sister is… you know what she did. So I am personally assigned by the Queen to look out for her safety."

I think Erhard turned into stone for a minute.

Then he comes back to life, patting my shoulders.

"I didn't know I had been working with such a great person! Personally, assigned by Her Majesty? And the bodyguard of the princess?! I am proud of you, kid."

"O-oh, thanks. You are making me blissful here."

I laugh awkwardly.

"So please forget everything you saw today," I ask him. "If you are seen interacting with me, it will cause problems for you."

"OK," he nods. "But I see you as a customer, so don't hesitate to sell your crystals here. I can't find crystals of that quality and price anywhere else."

Then we leave the shop and I escort Melty around the town.

"Demi-human slavery is a great deal so… no wonder the war broke out between Siltvelt and Melromarc."

Melty comments looking along the road. It's only been half a day and she is gonna be influenced by my ideals. Oh… is that good? Or bad for the future ruler of a nation.

So I have to… retreat.

"Siltvelt pretty much does the same to humans," I say, hoping it will ease the intensity of her mind.

"It's Siltvelt who does it to humans, not us. The rulers of a nation have a responsibility to watch over its people. The people from other countries come second."

Nationalist? I can't blame her. It's the medieval age, not our world with democracy and blah-blahs.

As I think about her way of thinking, I have to chuckle.

"Master!"

I can hear Filo calling me out from my room in the Brambila Mansion.

"Coming!"

I respond, getting my leg engines warm up to run at the door. Then I run across the hallway, walk down the stairs and finally to the entrance where Filo and Arian come in.

"Everything's OK?"

"Yes," Arian replies with his usual monotone. "We can get the outfit tomorrow. She said she would prioritize our order because Filo is cute."

"Oh, great," I comment.

"Funny how the girls are stupid," he mutters under his breath but I can hear him.

"You are a girl, too. You know?"

"I am a boy," he answers coldly.

Oh no! Where is my Aria? No, not my Aria.

"Is Filo stupid?" Filo asks, placing a wing on her beak.

"No, you are bright," yes compared to others of your kind.

"She is a filolial so she doesn't count," Arian says coldly. "If you call me stupid girl, I will consider being a girl again."

Are you a masochist?

In my mind, I can see a male tetramand punching a female of his kind. Females are generally stronger than males. So males have to make themselves stronger to marry females.

When I think about gender equality stuff, aliens count and everything is a mess. Humans are one of the most balanced species between males and females. So I don't hold discrimination against genders.

Though my conclusion is… all humans are the same "weak."

Don't worry though. Galvans are weaker.

"Stupid Aria."

I mutter as I hastily walk away from Arian and Filo.

"Mom! I have something to tell you."

I can hear Aria calling out her mom.

"Yes, sweetie, what's it?"

"It's about Chris! He's–"

Let's skip this part. So as I walk to my room upstairs, Melty comes out of the room next to mine.

"Hey, Bennett?"

"You can call me Ben now," I say as I deactivate the ID mask.

"Anyway, do you know how many days are left before the next wave?"

I widen my eyes as I remember the wave of catastrophe stuff. I had been busy traveling and didn't get reminded about the wave.

"Gotta go see, Milady. BIG CHILL…"

I stretch my wings and rise into the air.

"Uh… You look like… a witch?"

Melty looks at me in amazement.

"An ice witch. Though a certain kid named this guy Freezeghost…"

The freaky voice of mine mutters.

"On second thought," Melty retreats. "You sound totally like a ghost."

"Oh, boy."

-(BREAK)-

"A week…"

We get seven days before the wave starts.

Arian and Filo again go to the castle town for Filo's outfit before we set out for our journey.

The outfit is that of an angel, I think. The tailor praises Filo as a cute angel so I suppose this suits Filo best. Her outfit consists of a white one-piece dress with a blue bow on the center made out of magical crystal threads.

Arian has doubts about taking Melty on our journey.

Sure she can't face the monsters or fight in the waves. But we can't just stick around the capital.

And I can't really leave her in the Brambila Mansion, too. Idol Rabier is released, so I can't entrust her to Miss Brambila.

Rabier left the mansion days ago.

"Do I have to sing for you guys?"

Melty offers. She must be feeling like a deadweight on our trip.

"No, I'd prefer you don't do anything, Melty."

Arian coldly suggests.

"Oh, yeah, thanks," and then Melty goes silent.

We want to go further than Lute and Lurolona. Are there any villages that need our help? I wonder. Our first choice was the southern regions.

I usually let Arian and Filo clear monster-slaying quests for their leveling. I handle healing and potion quests.

Arian is all the same cold and quiet. Filo is as energetic as always.

I am now looking into the lists of shields so that I can choose suitable shields for certain situations.

"Master," Filo describes, "the plants here are amazing!"

Arian and Melty avert their eyes into the road. I also look outside of the cart and see numerous vines that crawled onto the path. Most of them are green. But it is a problem for travellers, indeed.

"This is definitely a problem."

"Bennett, look!" Arian points her finger to where a large number of vines are scattered and crawls towards a tall and wide fence.

"Crap!" I exclaim.

I suspect there is a village past the fence.

"Take us there, Filo!" I ordered.

"As you wish!"

But my suspicions have to be taken back.

There is no village behind the walls.

The whole village has been devoured by vines and wild plants. And people have to live in shelters and tents surrounded by walls that prevent vines from entering their last resort.

"This place is about to fall to the vines, too."

The village head murmurs with a hopeless look.

He is an old man with a grey head of hair and a white beard. Overall, he looks like Santa Claus without a costume and hood.

"Couldn't you have burned them?" asks Arian.

I look around and see villagers are not a bit OK. They are also suffering from undernutrition because of the rarity of food and water.

"We tried everything we could think of," he answers. "We even summoned adventurers but the situation remains grave. Our village was already overrun by plants. What's worse, the plants turned into monsters and attacked us."

"Turned into monsters?"

I narrow my eyes and look around.

Well, it's not really surprising though. I've got sentient plants in my Omnitrix after all.

At the time, all of a sudden, a scream is heard.

The villagers all look up at the wall as if they are seeing past the wall.

"Some adventurers set out for the village to level up," the village head says uncomfortably. "I tried to stop them, but to no avail."

I cross my muscular arms to assure them I can do it.

"Leave it to me, I will try to solve this problem and get your village back."

The village head smiles with joy.

"Thanks, young man."

"Tell the details to Arian, I will go look for the adventurers."

I give a thumb-up to my gang before transforming and I deactivate the Mask to let the villagers see.

"WILDVINE! Rest assured, villagers. I am the God of Plants."

The God of Plants is a humanoid plant with one eye in the middle of his face, five vine-like legs, four long fingers on his hands, flytrap-shaped flaps with teeth covering his head, and pods on his back that he can use as explosives or smoke bombs.

Wildvine's shield is grey with root-like materials and the core resides in the centre.

I immediately move the shield onto my back for better movement of my limbs.

I think I earn myself some applause.

Anyway, I extend my green legs as high as I can reach the wall.

And then jump to the other side with no difficulty.

Landing on the ground, I find the village which is covered by vines and plants everywhere.

The adventurers are seen in the distance, grasped by the vines twining around their bodies.

"It is reckless," I comment as I extend my plant arms towards them, and wipe away the vines. Some plant monsters spit poison and acids at my vines but have no effects at all, probably because they are durable.

Then I grab their body and carry them to the insides of the wall.

I put down the three adventurers who seem to be out cold due to exhaustion.

"They are just unconscious," I assure them. "No need to worry."

Now I notice the whole village, including the old man himself, is staring at me with questioning looks.

Oh, I get it! Everyone would find it weird to see a talking plant with a single eye in flesh.

"Er… please take care of them, I'll take care of vines. And what are you eating, Filo?"

I face Filo the big bird who is chewing on the strawberry-like fruits plucked from the vines.

"These are edible, Master. And yummy."

She replies casually which causes villagers to be surprised.

"Hey, look at that bird. It talked!"

"Could it be…"

"That bird has to be the Heavenly Fowl!"

The God of the Domesticated Birds thing, huh?

"He is the Savior of the Heavenly Fowl!?"

"Then the Savior of the Heavenly Fowl is a God? A God of Plants?"

After hearing the chatters, the old man approaches me cautiously and asks.

"Are you the sa– savior who travels in a carriage drawn by a heavenly fowl?"

I stretch my bald head in the venus fly trap for no reason while thinking how to answer.

"Uh, yeah, I am that person. At least it's what they call me. But we are not special or anything."

"We are not special or anything" Arian's ass. God, they see a talking bird and a talking plant and "Not special."

Ben, you should make it more convincing.

The old man raises an eyebrow but stops talking on this topic.

"Then we beg you! Could you please heal our sick using your powers?"

The old man begs. Then Arian steps in.

"If they are sick, you should do something about that," he says with the usual monotone.

"OK, I will try," I say looking at the man in his eyes. "Bring me to the patients."

The village head and two young men take us to a big tent. When opened, we see many patients lying on beds, plants overtaking their bodies. I have to manage to catch my breath.

"They are even parasitic, huh?"

"Please, Savior. Help them with your powers.

What can I do for them?

I can't just make them herbicide. This is obvious.

If a parasite takes too much of a host, it can potentially deal deadly damage to the host or just result in the death of the host.

Partner?

"Yes, I assume you are asking for Genetic Damage Repair?"

Yeah, I considered Swampfire to control the plants and command them to make their ways out but if the gene is affected in the cells they take over, then it will be permanent damage and nothing different from erasing the parasite. It can result in holes in their organs.

The holographic alien looks at the patients.

"Fine, but I will use your DNA for this," he replies and vanishes in a flash.

A green ray escapes the Omnitrix on my torso and shoots into the sick people repairing the damage in their genes and removing the parasites from their body effectively.

Everyone around looks at me in awe and astonishment.

Even Arian and Filo forget to breathe for seconds.

And disappear.

"Oh, God, how did you do that! As expected of Our Savior!" exclaims the old man.

I gulp uncomfortably as Arian frowns at me for some reason.

"Er…" I break the silence by taking out some vials of potions. "Make the patients drink these. A vial each. This will help in their rehabilitation."

I hand the potions to the healthy (some aren't but they are up) people except Arian, Filo and the village head and they walk to the patients.

I look back at the village head.

"Now it's the time to explain me how it began."

The old man looks down at the ground as he recalls the pieces of memory.

The story might start with Once Upon A Time…

"Our village was being ravaged by a famine when the Spear Hero visited," he begins. "When he heard of our plight, he went to some nearby ruins and brought back a seed that had been sealed there."

For the love of Alien X, that guy…

"He called it a miracle seed…."

Ironic that a miracle seed was sealed away.

Oh I remember. We found a empty chest in the ruins that sealed away a seed which fulfilled people's wish… in a horrible way.

So it wasn't some random guy. It was the idiotic protagonist of My Spear Harem Diary TV Drama.

But I can see him holding up the seed in the air and shouting "This is the miracle seed! Cherish this!"

A younger villager approaches us bearing an unhappy expression.

"At first, we were overjoyed when we saw how quickly the plants grew and bore fruit," He contributes to the storytelling. "However,..."

"They grew uncontrollably that they overwhelmed your village?" Arian asks.

"Indeed," the man answers. "While investigating our options, we hit upon a legend passed down the village. A long time ago, an alchemist who'd set up a shop in this area created a seed, but sealed it away for some reason. The legend also said that plants had overtaken the region for a while."

"And you guys didn't know when that Spear Bastard brought you the seed?" Arian coldly says.

"Hey," I hold her back.

"What? It's sealed away. They should know."

I feel bad for Motoyasu who apparently couldn't read the warning on the stone.

"They convinced themselves it was safe just because a hero brought it to them," Arian adds.

"Arian, don't blame them. There can be countless variations of the same type of seeds," I say some random botany stuff to stop her.

There is a good long silence.

After that, the village head and the man kneels on the ground, which makes me nervous and embarrassed. I wrap my vine-arms around them to get them up. The elder has something in his arms, I don't know where he took it out.

"Uh… you don't need to do that."

"Please take this and save our village."

"You don't need to pay us too."

I talk hastily and run out of the tent before he can pay me again.

"Arian! Cover fire!"

"No, the walls are high!" just so I am rejected.

I jump again and transform into "SWAMPFIRE" as I descend, I grasp the top of the wall.

My body is more muscular and taller, and my skin color is now light green, whereas my alien face is now colored yellow, red, and orange. My hands are now colored black, with four yellow claws with spikes on the knuckles, and yellow holes in the palms used to unleash fire powers. I have six red horns with yellow spots aesthetically resembling flames; two on each forearm, and one on each shoulder, as well as a green horn on each foot, knee, and elbow. I now have a large collar raised up around my neck, which is yellow on the inside. The Omnitrix symbol is on my torso.

The Swampfire's shield is different from Wildvine's. It's more made of swampy materials than plants. It is still on my back.

Exerting force into my arms, I jump over the wall and once again land on the ground full of floors.

I look around and see the opening gate in the walls.

"Oh," I mutter. "I did all this."

Then I use all my might to punch the ground, the vines from my body digging into the ground at high speed.

"YaHHHH!"

I try to sense the roots with my vines but no luck. My vines dig closer to a bunch of larger roots that seem to be of a tree. And I sense the aura of monster vines in the roots.

"Oh, the body is here."

I fuse my vines with that tree to find its trunk. After some moments of forced fusion, the green vines make their way out of the trunk of a tree in the distance.

"Bingo–" but as I let my guard down, my vines immediately die and shatter from the trunk, which makes me cut off the vines by myself so that they can't harm me.

There is some kind of strong magic that can make plants go wild. I theorize it's because of too much mana. These vines might not have a mind of their own, instead, they seek life. They grow towards humans and then they overwhelm the buildings where humans live.

Anyway, the risk is much higher. It can potentially spread throughout the whole world.

The Plant Monsters are awakened and approaching me.

I create balls of flame in my palms and shoot at them, burning them to death. Maybe.

Then I jump towards them to kick five or six monsters.

A monster tries to ambush and grasp me from behind but I dodge and punch the ground again, causing my own vines to rise from the ground and shatter the monsters.

"Nice."

A bigger monster crawls to me. It looks like an all-green tree trunk with several venus fly traps on its body with two eyes one exists under the other.

I punch it and use flame attacks on him but… he regenerates in no time.

"OK, this one is big, HUMONGOUSAUR!"

I crush him by punching and stomping onto his body.

It isn't a tough opponent…

But there is more…

I can see a large flower on the trunk of the tree which I think is the centre of all these vines and plant monsters.

An eye suddenly pops out in the place of the core of the flower, rolling and five tentacle-like buds surround it.

"This is becoming weirder and weirder…"

I charge towards the tree and leap high into the air, readying my fist.

But vines appear and try to interfere with my path.

I throw my punches into them first to destroy them and land on the ground.

"Come on… BIG CHILL!"

I turn intangible at once and fly to the eye and freeze it with my breath.

Instantly it shatters.

"That settles–"

No, it's not finished.

I hear a noise and turn around to see the eye instantly regenerating.

"If you regenerate," I will just destroy you again!

"HUMONGOUSAUR!"

I enlarge my size three times the original at once and punch it right in the centre, though my fist is bigger than the eye.

What?

I retreat my hand and see it regenerate from dust.

I jump back as the vines fly towards me.

I press the Omnitrix symbol on my torso.

"A Plant for a PLANT!"

As the green light dies down, I stand as the blossomed Swampfire extending my arms in front of me.

First, I throw fire powers to destroy the vines.

For some reason, the plant monsters that touch my back instantly die down without me actually killing then.

And then…

Let's try to exterminate the monster seed!

I take out the herbicide potion and absorb it with my palms and store its abilities, while using Potion Enhancing abilities on it.

I jump high into the air again with the momentum I have gathered and punch the eye, with my vines coming out of my fist and joining with the eye. It causes a stir and the vines and plants in the area begin to tremble and then fall down to the ground, immediately die down as dust into the air.

I dodge as the tree itself becomes to shake like there's a quake around, and falls to the ground, forming a cloud of dust.

When the dust disappears eventually, it reveals several red seeds among the leaves and branches.

"Partner!"

"Yeah? Want me to analyze them, I suppose?" The holographic Azmuth appears with a bored expression.

"Please."

He shake his head.

"OK, I will. Just a moment…"

I walk to the seeds and pluck one to let my shield absorb it.

"Bio-Plant shield, huh… and plant modification skill."

The hologram tilts his head. "Oh, that one sounds good. Try using it on these seeds."

I widen my alien eyes.

"Um, No. They are dangerous, even one–"

"No, I don't mean that way," he interrupts. "I just need you to turn them into beneficial plant seeds or something edible."

I rub the back of my swampy neck.

"Oh… Filo said it was edible."

"Of course, it is," he confirms. "Obviously the very purpose of developing this seed is to use it as a food source of. Only my theory, though."

"I can imagine it's right. About 70 percent or more."

I trigger the plant modification skill on a nearby seed.

"From what I can see," AI says, "it becomes weaker. Well, the seed is edible already anyway. So save your skill for when you need it."

He covers his face with his big palms.

"For now, I'm gonna leave. Don't forget to tell the villagers to pluck every single seed and cook and consume."

Then he vanishes.

I sigh as I stare at the sea of the red seeds.

"OK, at least I'm gonna make sure they will never turn into monsters."

I use my plant modification skill on the seeds. And then…

"BIG CHILL…"

I fly back to the walls and return to my human form, with disguise of couse.

"Ahem…" I capture their attention, faking a cough.

"Everyone, listen to me please. There are plenty of seeds out there. You have three choices. Destroy them or cook and use them as a resource of food. Or you can grow them into edible plants and stuff. It's yours to decide. Now, we're gonna leave. We don't have much time so take care of cleaning by yourself."

I walk to the cart to prepare to leave.

"Ben– nett."

Arian's voice is much softer than normal and feminine.

"What's it, Arian?"

"They need water."

I raise an eyebrow at that and then look at the villagers.

They must have talked to her when I'm away.

Pretty impressive to have convinced Arian.

"OK, I get it. You guys need water, right?"

I shout at the petrified villagers, snapping them out of their dream worlds.

"Oh, yeah, thanks. We need water."

The village elder answers.

I look up at the sky. The sun has long set.

And Melty is probably sleeping with Filo.

"Let's get you, then."

-(BREAK)-

Melty and Filo hop with joy when we step into this town.

The next day after exterminating a plant monster that had been troubling the village, we depart for our next destination in the early morning.

Hot Springs or something they like. I don't know. Warm water was an option in the bath but I… well… I'm not good with Public baths. Or Mixed Bath.

The settings take me back to Ancient Greece. For our generation, public baths might be fun but back then they were for people who couldn't afford a separate bathroom or a private one. And hot water was common back then.

"This is the male side, you know?"

I say to Arian… or Aria? Whatever.

I double-checked the bath to make sure no one was here and I jumped in.

Now, Aria did the same – she made sure I was here and jumped into the pool.

"Why? Are you not delighted that you get a golden opportunity to take a bath… together with a beautiful girl?"

Although she is blushing, she tries her best to keep her cool and speaks with a straight face.

Yeah, I am so embarrassed that I'm gonna go Wildmutt anytime soon. Not having eyes will at least ease my mind and not need to avert my eyes.

"Dunno what you are pulling but can you please leave me alone now?"

"Maybe I'm gonna pull your towel off your body and… why don't you let me stay with you then?"

I facepalms.

"That makes no sense. This is… bath. You know."

For the love of Alien X, spare me cliche.

"I make more sense than Rath."

Hey, it's an insult! Rath is me!

"Ben…"

"What now…"

I turn my back at her and feel every drop of warm–

"Enjoy the bath, for now, don't you?"

I hear her whisper into my ear and she clings me with her naked–

-(SKIP)-

"Ben, I said I am sorry."

Aria is bugging me all time for what happened in the bath. Well, the part where I really wanted to skip. Or some kind of omnipotent GOD OF ROMANTIC COMEDY wants to tease me? No, this is not a random anime. And dirty jokes aren't–

"Ben!"

"Aunt Aria made the master cry!" Filo yells.

Who else is gonna drag my dignity down after a certain blonde girl strippedi me naked!

"Come on, Ben. I didn't think it was… so… you know."

"Yeah, I am not from this world, and I thought you guys would have… more self-control!"

I am currently lying on the bed, with my back facing the rest of the gang. Aria is trying to get me out of the bed. Sorry, mom, she's gonna get MVP for it.

But I'm gonna punish her by pretending to pout for next few minutes.

"I just wanted to see how my… well-respected… and heroic… and great… party-founding leader… Great Benjamin Kirby Tennyson would be when he is… naked."

Boy…

"God, I have many other traits and you wanna see me naked?!"

"Hey," Melty interrupts. "You shouldn't talk about those things in front of children."

I suddenly remember I have a daughter.

"Oh, Filo is here."

"Yes!" she replies.

"I am a child, too, I am 10," Melty adds.

"But Filo is a baby, then. She's like… 1 month old… or younger…"

"Hey!" The princess tries to argue but the Brambila girl interrupts her.

"You are free to leave. This is OUR room."

"And I'm gonna sleep with Filo," I correct her.

"No, I wanna sleep with Filo," Melty argues.

"Filo is fine with everyone," Filo joins the ruckus.

But she doesn't help.

"Alright, I'm gonna go sleep in the cart, so help yourselves."

I finally get up only to leave the room.

"Ben, I will also–"

" *slam*"

I close the door and leave her behind.

I chuckle.

Deejay Emcee!

And gonna sleep at Brambila–

What!? I don't transform into Deejay Emcee?

The hologram of Partner pops up.

"You are abusing the pugnavore abilities too often so I have re-locked the DNA. Thanks, no thanks."

Then he disappears.

"Oh my–"

I am interrupted again by a warm sensation on my back.

I tilt my head to see her but a finger taps my cheek midway.

I don't understand why she always asks me to sleep with her.

I still haven't fulfilled her wish, though.

Well, sometimes… humans… No, sentient beings can be twisted. Twisted-minded. As long as a mind is involved, their desires can be unnatural, weird, and unreasonable. Imagine the desires of a guy who has an IQ of one nonillion.

"Let's get back," three words and she drags me back to my room.

-(BREAK)-

Melty and Filo left our room and about an hour later, they returned, the princess sweating as if they ran for their lives. Yes, they did. I'm gonna do some scolding as a dad!

"So you kicked a boar monster butt? Good job, Filo. I haven't really slain this one!"

I WAS gonna scold her but now… kinda praised her instead. That works the same, right? Positive is always better than negative, by the way.

"Oh… She… Was cool."

Melty agrees.

"Alright, whatever. Let's go to sleep tonight, OK. You got to rest, otherwise I won't let you draw the cart. I can work in your place, too."

"Filo will sleep!"

She quickly replies and gets out of my room.

The cas is closed. Whatever happened, ask it later. I'm gonna get some sleep, too.

A moment later,

"A-Aria?"

"Yeah?"

"We got two beds in one room. Why are you sleeping in my bed?"

No, I don't know where this is going.

-(SKIP)-

"Filo! Princess! Please wake up already! We're gonna leave."

I knock on their door several times and try to wake them up. Finally, return a voice.

"5 min more Papa," says Filo.

No, don't take my genes.

*click*

I step back as the door open and a blue-haired girl with nothing but a sheet on her body comes out.

"Uh, I have to prepare things so please wait, OK?"

I stretch the back of my neck and look into the room past her. Filo is in her bird form.

"Why… Did you take off your clothes?"

Melty rubs her eyes.

"Filo's feathers are so comfortable and warm so I slept on her body… in the feathers."

"Oh… take your time."

I turn from the room and then walk down the hallway to my room. More like our room, Aria is preparing her disguise as Arian. She doesn't really have a great bust–

"What the heck are you thinking? Do you think I'm really [censored]–"

Let's skip this part, too.

We leave the inn and travel in the carriage through the forest path.

Filo seems to be enjoying the road trip but I think she is tired.

"Hey, Filo, I can draw the cart, too. Wanna sleep?"

The big bird shakes her head desperately.

"Filo is not sleepy, Master."

I look at the princess who is sitting in the driver's seat with Arian.

She leans on Arian's shoulder and seems to be asleep.

"Filo, let's stop somewhere and have our breakfast."

"Yes, Master. Breakfast~"

I look into the inventory to see if there's food left for Filo.

Of course, there is.

We refused to have breakfast at the inn and left too early.

Was I cruel?

I capture the moment Filo yawns.

Filo stops the cart and Arian wakes up Melty.

Arian isn't really a good cook. So I usually make breakfast for all on the journey at times there is no restaurant around.

"Hey…"

Arian sees an old woman and a kid coming out of the forest and calls them.

And we prepare extra breakfast for them.

"You folks had better turn back," the old woman says with a gloomy expression.

"If you keep going, you'll die," the kid adds looking at his bowl.

What's the reason? Did something happen?

Melty steps in.

"We heard there's a village down this path."

"The village is done for," says the woman. "The plague even got the village elder."

"The plague?"

But they couldn't answer our question.

An unknown disease is all we can know from them.

"Thanks, now there's more reason we must go there," I say proudly.

The woman widens her eyes.

"But–"

"We can save the village," I assure them.

"We've warned you," the kid says. "The rest is your choice."

They slowly disappear into the forest as they walk down the path.

"What could be happening there?" says Arian, crossing her arms.

"We'll see when we get there," I pat her shoulders.

"You are an idiot," the princess says placing her hands on her hips. "But that's what a hero does."

The village is surrounded by forest and mountains. It's on a hill up the road.

We enter the village past a white wooden gate.

An old villager in the house closest to the gate calls out to us.

"What brings you to a place like this?"

He is wearing normal villager clothes but something's off. He has a piece of cloth around his neck, possibly to use as a mask.

"I am the Savior of the Heavenly Fowl! I am here to save you, folks!"

No, it's not me who said it. I tilt my head and see Aria standing right behind me.

"Yes, we are… to help your village."

"The Savior of the Heavenly Fowl? And that Filolial…Is that the Heavenly Fowl?"

Before we can respond, he runs off down the hill into the village, yelling "Doctor!"

After some moments he comes back with a man in white-cloak with a hood.

"Are you a doctor?" Arian asks.

"Yes, I run the village clinic. If I may ask, are you really…"

"I don't need titles but the savior of the heavenly fowls refers to me. So rest assured."

Back in my world, my name was a symbol of hope and justice. When I arrived at the scene, they would recognize me by the name and sigh. "Ben 10 is here, everything's gonna be alright."

Maybe it's right. If you don't count the collateral damage.

So remembering us by a title makes things easier.

"I cannot make nearly enough for everyone," he murmurs. "So your arrival will be a great help for us."

Then they take us into a building. People are lying on the single beds here and there in the building. A pink-haired girl with similar clothes to the doctor's attire is nursing the patients.

She gets up and sees us which leads to questions.

"Doctor, who are they?"

"They say they are here to help us and save the sick."

I cross my muscular arms and wear a big smile that can convince them that I can do this.

"Rest assured, Ms.. Arian and Melty, help me out here. Take these potions and let the patients drink."

I hand some of the potions to the doctor and the nurse, too.

"I enhanced them with… er… my magic… so their potency is higher than average."

"Oh…" The doctor looks at the potion for a moment and sees the girls successfully cure the patients.

Then the two move to save the patients.

Partner… please analyze their conditions.

"I know you are coming. According to the results, it's poisoning. And you are just giving them a healing potion that can make their health better. But as an in-game term, poisons work differently from other injuries or diseases."

I widen my eyes in surprise, my smile being deformed.

Poison…

What do you mean?

The holographic alien looks at the patient, cupping his chin and rubbing the tentacles.

"As long as you can't remove or exterminate the source of poison in their body, you can't heal them all a hundred percent. Poison is like a curse, though the effects can be delayed by healing potion and likes. Before you can completely heal them, you have to accomplish two things. One – make sure there isn't an external source of poison around. Otherwise, healing them would be nothing different from pouring water in a massive amount of sand. Two – fight the internal poison, first. Then heal."

Understandable.

Sorta complicated, however.

"You need to ask the villagers how it began, first. Now, I will take my leave."

As he vanishes, I turn around at the doctor, who has already finished his task.

"The patients are cured and up! I can't thank you enough, Our Savior."

He says with joy, yes, I can feel it in his smile.

Later, the nurse also comes back with a similar expression.

I can't pretend to be enjoying the situation, though.

"They weren't really… cured. I mean, not healed completely. The potions can only postpone the effects of poison in their blood."

The smiles disappear. The physician looks down. The nurse frowns at me.

"So did you lie to us about curing people?"

"No, not like that. You need some extra steps before healing them… er like removing or neutralizing the poison and exterminating the source. Tell me how it began."

I explain to them. Arian and Melty join us, too.

"Did you just waste the potions?" asks Arian with the usual cold tone.

I shake my head.

"No, this slows down the effects of poison so they will feel better for… some time. In the meantime, we need to exterminate the source where the poison comes from and neutralize the poison inside their bodies," I explain and then turn to face the doctor and the nurse. "So it's essential to tell us everything you know, OK?"

The doctor forces a smile on his face.

"Follow me."

They take us to a room in the building. Possibly the doctor's room.

After securing the door, the doctor faces us.

"We believe the wind from the mountain that's home to monsters is the cause," the nurse begins.

"The mountain that's home to monsters?" Melty asks curiously.

"Around a month ago," the doctor answers. "A large dragon that nested there was killed by the sword hero."

Arian narrows her eyes. "We heard some rumors about that. Sword hero was involved in the problem, huh?"

"Hey," I warned her.

"In order to see the dragon's corpse and gather materials," the doctor continues regardless. "Many adventurers came to our village. That certainly did help the village flourish."

"And?" Arian demands.

"But one day, an adventurer collapsed, and more followed," he says. "The dragon's flesh must have begun to rot and emit some kind of poison."

Oh great, thanks sword hero. You started a wildfire.

"Those heroes are all like that," Arian comments with a monotonous voice. "All idiots, including the shield devil." he teases, stealing a glance at me.

I pretend to pout for a second.

"Please continue," Melty demands.

"That mountain is filled with violent monsters," the nurse fills. "So only adventurers can go there. We can't do anything about it."

The Doctor picks up. "And perhaps due to the dragon's poison, the ecology there has changed, too. The average adventurers cannot get anywhere near the corpse."

The nurse sighs. "We informed the royal court and we are slated to receive a medicine delivery shortly. But they said the heroes are too busy to help for a while yet."

It sounds like so much trouble. I must keep Arian, Filo and Melty out of this.

And for the poison, I have a perfect alien form for that, but better use it later after cleaning the dragon's corpse.

"Alright," I speak up, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "I will help you guys. Now I will go to the mountains and clean the corpse somehow. My teammates will help you nurse the patients in the meantime."

"Wait!" the doctor exclaims. "Are you planning to go by yourself?! It's too dangerous!"

Arian steps in. "What!? You don't go alone! I will go with you."

"Filo wants to assist the Master, too!" Filo pouts.

"The risk is too great. We can't know what kinda things and monsters we will come across there. You guys sticking with me will just… hold me back, OK?"

The nurse frowns at me.

"Don't worry," Melty assures the doctor and the nurse. "Believe in the Savior of the Heavenly Fowl. He will accomplish the job."

"I can't find the words to express our gratitude," says the Doctor, tears almost flowing out of his eyes.

The villagers we encountered on our journey are all genuine. I could never find in myself to reject to help them.

I wear a big smile on my mature 40-year-old face to gain their trust.

"It's OK. I am dubbed the Savior by villagers like the folk in this village. And you called me the Savior. There's no way I would retreat from this task. The chore of a savior is to help and save people."

The grimace on the nurse's face disappears. The Doctor nods as he nudges my shoulder.

-(SKIP)-

An aerophibian's skin is so tough. I can barely feel the wind colliding with my body as I zoom high and fast in the air. I flutter my tail out of boredom as I fly at a supersonic speed.

Everything around me seems to be slower. Seconds become shorter as if I am manipulating the time itself. I land on the hill near where the dragon's body resides.

It is rotten. I can say it from where I stand. No indication of life is found. Pests and flies are sticking around the deceased dragon.

I approach the corpse.

Something shocking happens. The already dried blood and shattered skin pieces fly back to the corpse and re-combine with the body, regenerating the injuries.

Then its eye opens and glares at me. It makes me surprised and flies backward and shoots the neuro shock blasts to the dragon from my tail.

The rotten skin heals itself before the dragon rises from the ground. Its beak splits into four portions.

"I made a good choice leaving my mates in the village."

I mumble as I shoot neuro shock blasts into its body.

But don't do much damage.

I suddenly recall that the monsters have cores. Some monsters can regenerate themselves as long as they have the core left unharmed.

That's the case?

So then…

"HUMONGOUSAUR!"

I land onto the ground and trigger a small quake. As I concentrate to enlarge my body, I mentally command the shield to enlarge itself.

"This… gonna… HURT YOU~"

I hold my shield in front of me and charge into the dragon with all my might. The dragon tries to jump and dodge but it collides with the shield that forces it to crash into the mountains.

"Whoa… this takes a lot. Alright… I can practice using the shield."

I tap the Omnitrix symbol with my left hand to transform into Big Chill.

"Snowflake shield… yah!"

I rise into the sky and throw the snowflake shield towards the dragon. The shield stiffens the dragon inside out at the instant of contact.

The shield vanishes and reappears on my right forearm.

The cracks appear on the ice surface as the dragon struggles in the ice.

"Crap, this guy is tough…"

I transform into Cannonbolt in a blink and curl in the shape of a giant ball before crashing down to the ground.

I roll myself on the ground and charge towards where the anomaly is. Yet I don't have visible sensory organs on the outside, I can sense the terrains and the environment by sensing my surroundings with my fur.

But the monster flutters its wings… causing me to struggle with the gust current. But I am a ball now. So it's not as problematic as flat surfaces.

When I get near… a wing knocks me off my route and sends me flying into the mountain.

"ASTRO~DACTYL!"

What a pain in the ass!

I unleash a green energy whip from my left palm and magnify the energy shield on the right forearm.

As I fly low, I strike the dragon who is gonna rise into the sky with my whip.

That obliterates its skull but it rapidly regenerates in no time.

As expected, I need to destroy or extract the core from his body.

I power up my jetpack to glide faster towards the monster.

"Oh yeah… Rwaarrr!"

I ready my shield in front of my head and collide with the monster. Half of its body is destroyed from the impact but it still regenerates. I can see the glowing purple crystal inside.

"Snare-Oh!"

I turn into Benmummy and shove one of my bandages into the cracks and snatch the crystal that is presumed to be the core of the monster.

"Oh, crap… it's… Yaaahhhhh!"

The damages are quickly recovered and its flesh clasps my bandage inside the trunk.

I use all my strength to draw my bandage back together with the core.

"Shit…"

Finally, my bandage comes out with the crystal in its wrap. It causes the whole body to falter and slowly fall to the ground.

"That blade brat is a big dumbhead," I mumble as I stare at the core that's now faded.

He doesn't even realize what he requires to destroy the heart, huh?

Aye, now to clean this lot!

But how?

I need to find a strategy that won't dump poison or poisonous gas into the outside world.

How about Icing it and annihilating it into fractions in a big hole and leaving all the remains in the ground.

It sounds reckless and might affect the environment.

Oh… I recall an alien.

I look down at the bandaged shield on my forearm.

And I place the purple crystal over the shield's core to let it consume the crystal.

"This one… strengthens the poison immunity… Well, it's not like I will need it, anyway. GUTROT!"

Chemistry and Physics never was my thing but I wish I could use this alien in Science classes and Chemistry tests.

"Sorta yearns to converse wisely but nobody is around, great! Presently I have to neaten the corpse by decomposing the matter at a faster rate than nature itself."

Then I discharge respective gases to break down the rotting material into a non-poisonous one.

-(SKIP)-

When I return, Filo charges towards me and caresses me in her feathers.

"Master, you took so long."

Hell, no. I glid to the spot at a supersonic speed and cleaned the mess up in like 20 minutes or less.

"Oh, sorry, I made you wait. Uh… it's all right."

"But you did well after all. I hope you are skilled enough to impress me," Melty whimpers.

Arian glares at me with his arms crossed and a visible scowl on her face for whatever reason. I neglect her for the time being.

And I raise the gutrot shield to show the doctor and the nurse.

"With this stuff, I can negate the poison."

The nurse narrows her gaze as she looks at the coiled glass funnel in the shape of a large circular plate on my right forearm.. Flowing in the funnel is some kind of gas that seemingly has… a purple color.

"I appreciate your help to eliminate our village's problems."

The physician and the nurse return to where the patients are. So my crew follows them into the facility.

"I want you guys out, please. Because the odor is not… very favorable. And please close all the windows."

As the nurse and my gang assist me to close all the windows in the hall, I wear a clean cloth around my head as a mask, though not invulnerable to smell.

"Now hurry your way out!"

The physician, the nurse, and my gang leave the hall in a rush as I demand.

"OK, now…"

The patients are still unconscious or sleeping. But I hope they are unconscious now. Otherwise, they are conscious, they can black out again from the smell.

"Alright, let's do it!"

The purple gas developed by combining two different substances escapes the shield and disperses throughout the hall.

"Take this!"

After neutralizing the toxin, I exit the room because of the strong smell.

"The odor isn't very nice but please put up with this and inhale the air, Ok? It will cure your poison."

You will have to go to the toilet after some time. Well, I will inform the doctor about that.

"I can't thank you enough for your accomplishments, our savior."

The physician says.

"I'm sorry, I had doubts about you," the nurse girl apologizes.

"No worries," I gesture a victory salute.

"Now we're gonna leave," Arian notifies me.

Melty is waiting for us in the driver's seat on the front of the carriage.

I smiled.

"Let's head for Lurolona!"

-(BREAK)-

When we enter the village's premise, we are greeted by the Queen's shadow.

She suddenly appears before us, stopping the carriage.

"I am sure you can make your entrance more adorable," I say, facepalming.

"For the security of the Crown Princess, I dare say."

"Ok, Ok, if you wanna escort her into the village, go ahead."

No one tried to assassinate the princess, fortunately, because we were constantly traveling.

Melty gets down the carriage quietly and approaches the shadow who whispers into her ears.

I don't hear whatever they say but first, the princess nods. And then her eyes widen and look at me who recently deactivated the ID Mask.

"Mother wants you to reconcile with Father."

She talks as she walks towards the carriage.

"His answer will be no," Arian answers on my behalf.

I avert my eyes from the princess uncomfortably.

"She's right. It's impossible to forgive that guy."

Melty sighs as she turns back to the shadow.

"You hear that? Please tell that to my mother. Where is she now?"

"Faubrey."

Faubrey? Oh, I know that country. I read about Faubrey in some books, but I don't know details.

"Take care," Melty replies.

A moment later…

My team, Melty, Rex and Eclair assemble in the meeting room.

"So… she is the crown princess, huh?"

Rex asks. Eclair gets up and readies her punch to hit him.

"Don't disrespect the princess."

"Time out, time-out!" Rex exclaims as he catches her fist with his palm.

I don't know how closer they become during our journey.

But looks well like childhood friends, trying to kill each other everytime they meet, lmao.

"Ahem," Melty grabs Seaetto's attention with a fake cough. "It's OK. Let's just start the meeting right away. The wave is in next 3 days."

The lady knight releases the generator's collar from grasp and bows at the Princess who is sitting next to her.

"Please forgive this idiot Salazar."

"Seaetto, I said it's OK."

Eclair looks up at the princess as there is an awkward silence.

Then she sits down at her seat.

"According to reports," the duke Rex breaks the silence. "The first wave was at Lurolona. The second wave rampaged in Lute. I don't think this information is enough to predict where the next wave will assault,... honestly. And Ben, dude, what do you think?"

I snap myself out of the thinking realm back to reality.

"I think the wave itself will be stronger and the monsters will be more powerful. And the area will be broader. Like the portals being bigger… We have to take precautions after reading the past documents. I think a month period between waves is standard."

"A month period is just a result of hypothesis, right?" Eclair asks.

"Yes, I'm not sure. Lurolona's… and Lute's… and now this wave. These three waves lead me to the conclusion. I don't think a month is enough for normal soldiers for proper level-ups, though."

Rex turns to face Eclair.

"Are you taking part in the coming wave?"

"Yes, of course," she replies.

"No!" I reject her idea. "It's risky, you were only freed weeks."

"What are the levels of your teammates? Did they do ascension?"

I raise an eyebrow.

"What's ascension? Anyway, Aria is level 39 and Filo is level 36."

Rex hands up. "Oh right, ascension. I was gonna talk to you guys about that. When you get to level 40, you need to… ascend to another stage before leveling up more."

I widen my eyes in surprise. But I have already heard about that. Where did I hear it?

"But I am level 69."

"It doesn't apply the same for legendary weapon wielders, I suppose," Rex answers.

I look back at Aria and Filo.

"So they need to ascend… where can they do it?"

"At the Dragon Hourglass…"

The Dragon Hourglass… in the Church of the Three Heroes. Damn!

I grit my teeth in bitterness.

"But… There are hourglasses in other countries, too," Eclair answers, judging my expression cautiously. "So don't worry."

I exhale heavily as I force a smile.

"Alright, we have to do it later, so."

"And so are you leaving Melromarc after this wave?" Eclair asks.

I nod as an affirmative answer. "I will visit some places first before I set off. I mean, those summoned idiots had done a series of problems everywhere they went. The next time I meet one of them, I'm gonna punch them."

Rex widens his eyes in shock and gazes at Aria hoping she will hold me back, but she doesn't.

"Er… OK. Next…"

-(BREAK)-

The third wave of catastrophe is here.

The whole country doesn't know where I am but the King and the Pope seem to be sure that I will appear this time.

I chuckle as I spy on the King.

"That Melty," the first princess speaks to her father. "She's too selfish, you know."

You are the one to say…

Aultcray is feeling uncomfortable because both are his daughters. He still can't accept Malty has done many things in her life but he will probably agree Melty is selfish.

He sighs as Malty leaves the room in a rush.

"Hey, guards," he calls out to the royal guards. "Call the commander. Hasn't he found Melty?"

But it's a little funny that he made the "Melty" name sound quite cute.

I have to hold back my urge to burst out a laugh as I fly off from the castle as Big Chill.

-(SKIP)-

For the next three days, I had to hole up in my house.

I created a couple of things that will be useful for my teammates.

"I made two masks… unfortunately, I didn't get enough time to create a level 7 technology material. So we got… two masks. Made of light metal, enhanced by level 4 technology. Will help you analyze the situations promptly and effectively. For Rex, it's an orange one. Choose a name for yourself, we gotta introduce you to the heroes."

Rex smirks as he takes the orange mask with black linings under glowing yellow eyes.

"Thanks," he replies with full enthusiasm.

I smile in return and then face Aria.

"For you, it's a blue one. I made it look cool together with your crystal armor."

Aria's mask is a light blue one with bluish-green linings under glowing green eyes.

"Test it and tell the glitches. Also, I forge a sword for you, too. I had to make sure to not commit the weapon violation, hahaha! I will give it to you later. And… for Filo."

"Yes! Master!"

I noticed three demi-human kids sneaking around us but decided to say nothing.

"Yours is a pair of footwear, in short. It can morph itself into two (programmed) shapes. I matched it with your claws. Made from heavier metals so please keep the momentum and speed in check."

"Yes, master!" Filo says as she takes her gift from my hands.

I smile as I watch my party singing their joys.

"Hey."

A voice calls me. I turn around and see Eclair Seaetto. And Rex.

"We've got a decent name for Rex," she says with a cheerful tone.

"Tell me about it," I ask.

Rex averts his eyes out of seemingly embarrassment. I don't know exactly why, but apparently she came up with an embarrassing name for him?

"The Claymore Hero: Orange Devil!"

I gulp at the name and Rex almost runs away.

"Oh… er… How did you come up with Claymore?"

The lady knight cups her chin in a thinker style and then explains enthusiastically.

"He doesn't really use any kind of weapons… and you see, he has punches with his… big iron fists, and kicks with big iron boots. And can fly. And many many things. But the fantastic swings with his amazing big… sword! It is unrivaled!"

"Oh…" I gulp again. Is that creativity? Or a bias?

Rex isn't any less uncomfortable.

"And… Orange Devil part is…?" I tease.

"It's TRENDING, right? So it's better if people call him with an already well-known name."

No, it's not trending and no one knows him. Only the Church and the King brought up information about him to the villain boss conferences.

"Er…" but Rex seems to be OK with this name.

I was gonna give him the name "Generator Rex" which was a codename of Rex back in his world as a hero. But this Rex Salazar, … he never got that name… from the looks of it.

"Eclair… take care of the village on behalf of us!"

Rex shouts before setting off.

I take a short glance at the countdown.

"15 min, guys," I activate the ID Mask and Merlinisapien shield as I face the party members.

Rex, in his new jacket, which has a similar design to his regular getup, puts on the orange devil mask.

Aria puts the sword into the sheath on her back. The sword is 2 feet long. And the rifle next to the sword. And a pistol in her utility belt. Finally, her crystal armor is perfect with the blue mask. What should I call this one? Ghost Lady? Firearm Queen? No, they suck. Alright, I'll do it later.

Filo, the heavenly fowl, herself is in her human form with black metallic boots that have green circuits on their surface.

Finally, I, the Savior of the Heavenly Fowl, joined them, folding my arms and standing in the middle.

I can feel the nostalgia from back when the alien force teamed up with Cooper, Julie, Prof. Paradox, Darkstar, and Azmuth himself, to resist the Highbreed invasion and defend the universe from massive destruction.

"Now then…"

The yellow energy envelops us and then… we disappear from the spot.

-(SKIP)-

As I guessed, the wave is stronger and the area is wider.

Wait, isn't this… a village I visited before?

Rex and the rest make their ways at the different directions into the village.

"ECHO ECHO!"

Subsequently I duplicated myself into 20 clones.

"Guys…"

As I declare, they all look at me.

And then hold their hands up to their chest level.

"""* 3…. 2…. *""" We all count down in unison.

"""*... 1 *"""

We press our omnitrix symbols at the same time, transforming us into different alien forms.

I, myself, turn into "JETRAY!"

"XLR8!" "ASTRODACTYL!" "FOUR ARMS!" "CHROMASTONE!" "DIAMOND HEAD!" "HUMONGOUSAUR!" "WATER HAZARD!" "BIG CHILL!" SPIDERMONKEY!" "SWAMPFIRE!" "FASTTRACK!" "CANNONBOLT!" "HEATBLAST!" "FRANKENSTRIKE!" "SNARE-OH!" "BILTZWOLFER!" "AMPFIBIAN!" "ARCTIGUANA!" "EYE GUY!" "ARMODRILLO!"

Avengers! ASSEMBLE!

Sorry, this move is kinda op but was flawed in the past. But the new omnitrix did solve the personality disorder problem so… for the time being, the alien army moves into the village.

"Oh…"

I am left behind as I gaze at an old woman who is facing multiple enemies but easily overwhelming them with her airborne king fu moves.

"God…" I forget to breath.

She leaps into the air and kicks the monsters who are charging at her. I notice a monster who is gonna ambush her and charge towards that monster.

After slaying all the monsters around her, she glares at me.

"Thanks? Or wanna fight me?"

I subconsciously activate the ID Mask and become Ben 10 000 visually.

She smirks.

"Oh, it's you, the savior of the heavenly fowl," she recognizes my appearance. "Thanks for curing me. Your medicine was so effective that now these foes are nothing for me. I feel as strong as I was back in my adventurer days!"

She shows off some king fu moves. I widen my eyes in astonishment.

"No, no, no, it's your son who actually brought the medicine. I… only enhanced that potion."

I refuse.

Seriously, what kinda medicine did that guy buy her mother? She became a Kung Fu Grandma!

"But you should take care of yourself, too. Don't wait for the time you exhaust yourself out. Take rest often. And stay safe," I warn her.

"Echo Echo No. 13 to all Echo Echo units!"

A voice comes out of the omnitrix, from my torso to be precise.

The old woman stares at me out of curiosity.

"Oh, I think… I gotta go. Bye, Ma'am."

I deactivate the ID Mask and fly off into the sky.

"Echo Echo No. 13 to all Echo Echo units! I found a floating ship in the outskirts of the village. I need backup, any unit available please come to the spot, northeast of the village."

A floating ship?

Not surprising, though.

I can see Big Chill, and Astrodactyl rise into the sky, too. We all lead to the said spot.

We can see a Heatblast floating around. He gesture us to come quickly. It seems he is Echo Echo No. 13.

We all land only the ground reverting back to our human forms and walk to the spot where Itsuki is blasting arrows at the enemies on the big floating ship.

The ship also has snake head tentacles growing out of it somehow. The sails are torn but it is moving fine.

We deactivate the ID Masks almost at the same time before standing next to Itsuki as a group of duplicates.

The Bow guy tilts his head and his eyes catch us.

"You… YOU ARE…!"

"Shield Devil, yes, thanks," Echo Echo 13 Ben (No, I say a random number, I don't really remember.) answers looking up at the wooden ship, that looks like it will shatter into pieces anytime soon.

"What's the situation?" another me asks.

The Bow guy forgets to attack the monsters with his arrows. The archer lady besides him also has no less surprised expression.

"Hey, tell us quick," I snap him out of thoughts.

"Oh," he gasps. "Yeah, they are on the ship. I told them attacking that statue and spawning the soul eater came first, but nope… How irresponsible can they be… and hey, there are four of you."

"One of my powers. Let's go, guys," I motion the clones to fly to the ship.

"Echo Echo Prime to all Echo Echo units…" I talk through the Omnitrix. "All available units gather at the spot after evacuation."

We all turn into Big Chill and float towards the ship. Then we phase through the walls, turning invisible beforehand.

The view on board isn't beautiful.

The adventurers and two heroes are facing a worm monster and a skull captain. The worm monster, in the shape of a kraken with several heads wearing exoskulls on them is now really hard to approach for adventurers, let alone slaying it. And on the other hand the skull captain is undead, swordplaying against Ren Amaki who has already killed the captain several times.

The four invisible phantoms of us watch the situation and take some moment to analyze.

Meanwhile, other sonorosian clone Big Chills join us and become an army of necrofriggian.

Ten of the clones combine into a single necrofriggian and descend to the ship, phasing through the kraken and freezing the monster.

I nod the rest of the clones who then recombine with my body.

"Let's give them a little chill… no it's big chill."

I fly down to the floor and cancel my transformation revealing myself with a diamond shield between the sword hero and the skull captain.

I block an attack from the monster as Ren is stunned in surprise and shock.

I tilt my head to see him and give him a smirk.

"Don't daze off," I snap him out.

In the meantime, other me may have revealed himself.

I hear him say to the spear hero and his party.

"Why aren't you working it out, doofus?"

I chuckle as I push the skeleton to the edge of the ship.

Ren charges at the skeleton and strikes it with his sword.

But no luck, it is revived almost instantly.

"See?" Ren says with a monotonous voice.

"I expected it," I respond by turning my shield into Eye Guy's shield, which is composed of several eyes.

Ren widens his eyes in horror.

He almost says curse words.

"Sorry," I apologize. "Let's finish it. He might have something to trigger his death or… spawning the Soul Eater without killing this one?"

He looks at the spear doofu and the another me and again bears a face of shock.

"You can clone?"

"Yes," I reply as several energy rays escape the shield and they destroy the skeleton monster into dust.

Even then it is revived.

"Hey, don't just stand there," I warn Ren. "I am shield and you are sword. Defence and offence… you know. I didn't clone myself for nothing."

Ren finally grips his handle tight again and charges at the monster.

I smirk as the eye rays freeze the monster.

At this rate, we will just tire ourselves out and…

I look back at the kraken.

… they will just be revived over and over again.

Think, Ben. Think!

Where is his weakness?

No.

How to kill him all over.

Wait… his shadow… is…

Fading? Trembling?

"HEY, OTHER ME?!" I shout.

"YES, GONNA TALK ABOUT SHADOW, I JUST FOUND OUT," the other me replies.

I forgot he is me.

"ALRIGHT, GIVE THE SHADOW SOME LIGHT AND TRY TO STRIKE THE SHADOW!" I command.

"ROGER!"

I power up the eye shield and it becomes brighter and brighter, making the shadow more distinct behind him.

Ren seems to understand the short discussion between me and me, he charges and swings his sword at the shadow, thrusting the blade into the wooden floor.

"Oh my– I can't believe it's happening!"

Pale soul-like things escape the shadow and raise into the air.

"What… are those?"

"Soul eater…" I gasp.

I take a glance back at the Kraken and see a similar result.

They rise into the red sky, triggering a bright white light for a short period.

And the light disappears as it seems to get down to the wooden floor of the ship, revealing a floating place white lizard-like monster.

My sensors read it "the Dimensional Soul-Eater."

Soul Eater looks like a ghostly fish, draped in white cloth. It has a dark, evil-looking face with red eyes and long fangs. It seems to be an energy being and not have a physical body. It has a third eye poping between the two eyes own the forehead.

"Now the boss is here. Who wanna see me transform?"

"Transform? You don't tell me…" Ren looks at me.

"Let's give him a good punch," I say, motioning the other me. "HUMONGOUSAUR!"

"FOUR ARMS!"

We charge and jump at the soul eater, who is already floating high in the mid-air, and give him several punches, followed by Ren's Thunderbolt Slash, Itsuki's Thunder Arrow, and Motoyasu's Lightning Spear.

"Oh crap…" I catch my breath as Four Arms re-combine with me, looking at the monster to see nothing happened.

"It's sturdier than I expected," Ren comments.

"Are our attacks even affecting it?" Motoyasu follows.

Of course, doofus, it's dimensional after all.

What, wait, dimensional? It means… and soul-eater name… An energy-based monster?

They all did similar lightning and thunder attacks.

"And what the hell is that dinosaur?" Itsuki asks a totally different thing. The other pairs of eyes of the heroes and adventurers look at me who is being more intimidating than the monster itself.

Some of them point their weapons at me.

I hastily hold up the shield to show them.

"Hey, it's me."

"You are a monster, after all," Motoyasu bashes.

"Say that again after you encounter a talking monster," I bark back.

Energy and magic… let's try this.

"TERRASPIN!"

This just makes the surrounding eyes pop out.

A big turtle is standing in my place, it's me. The shield has disappeared from my forearm and reformed itself in the inside of my shell. I can feel the air entering the holes on my front. My feet are like those of a turtle and an elephant.

I jump my heavy body and transform my limbs into blades. I retract my head into my shell, open a hatch to see, my fins become triangular, and my legs combine into a similar shape. My shell stays static and suspended while my limbs rotate at high speeds. The holes in my shell eject powerful winds, creating devastating wind blasts and tornados.

But it doesn't do any damage.

"Hey, Ben!"

Rex's voice is heard.

OK, this won't work. I retract my fins and transform back to a turtle as I land on the board.

"Oh, you guys are here."

The legendary heroes open their eyes wide looking at the masked Orange Demon who's flying with a boogie pack.

And the other is a crystalline blue knight ridining a big white bird.

I transform into chromastone and "CHROMASTONE! Guys, it's energy, I guess."

Arian pulls out her rifle and targets the monster.

"Wait, is that a rifle?" Itsuki asks.

"And a jet pack?" Ren adds.

"What are these guys?" Motoyasu amazes.

"My party members," I simply answer as I prepare to assault the monster. "Ready your energy attacks."

In the meantime, the monster in question floats around in the air and waves its tail, his wide month seems to be charging for an attack.

"Hurry, or else it'll use a powerful skill!" Ren shouts at me, taking the advantage of the situation.

"Rest assured!" I know what's coming.

White energy rises from the monster corpses into the Soul-eater's body.

"GET BEHIND ME!"

I shout as I ascend into the close range in front of the soul eater.

"Why should I–" I tilt my head and see a complianing Motoyasu dragged by his teammates.

Rex also gets before them and readies his smack hands to block the attack.

A green energy ball is being gradually concentrated inside the monster's mouth, growing bigger and bigger in split-seconds.

Arian and Filo also gets behind me.

"HERE IT COMES!" I smirk as I thrust my hands out forward.

And then the big energy sphere flies towards me at a high speed.

But sorry.

I absorb all that energy in the sphere, making it vanished in less than three seconds.

Thanks for the food, I guess.

Hey, I hear some wows from the crowd, do I?

Then, I enter the stance to concentrate energy on my arms and blast ultra violet rays at the monster, followed by the plasma blasts of Arian's rifle.

The impact sure made even the ship to tremble.

"Why is… he so cool?" Motoyasu gasps.

The soul eater is now lying on the wooden floor, struggling to get up.

I can slay it well and neatly but…

"Hey, you guys, what're you doing, huh? It's time! Unite and attack the monster," I scold them, well, it includes Rex and my gang, sorry. I won't let them slack off just because there is ME who is powerful. It's ME who is PROVED powerful, not them. Now it's their turn! "DO IT!"

The adventurers and knights run hesitantly at the weakened monster, throwing their attack at it.

I tilt my head to see the heroes and my gang.

"Oh, slacking off, are we?" I reposition my shield on my rocky biceps.

"It's finished, right?" itsuki says.

"Don't blurt out nonsense," I warn him. "It's far from over. Throwing an energy attack at an energy being is technically the same as pouring water onto a fish that will just go underwater because of the impact. The fish can rise to the surface anytime."

"So what do you think?" Ren asks.

I cross my arms as I land onto the board.

"If we take too long, the village will be in danger," I say bluntly. "So if you guys can't finish it, I will…"

I press the Omnitrix symbol on my torso, and transform myself into "FEEDBACK!"

I, now, have a black body with one green eye in the middle of my head, two antennae, a tail with round plugs on their tips, four-fingered hands, and feet with only two front toes. My chest is colored green and my fingers are square. I also have gold battery bolts on my shoulders, arms, and hips.

"Just how many forms does this guy have?" Itsuki murmurs.

"What can this form do?" the sword boy wonders out loud.

"I once contain a Big Bang with this guy," I chuckle as I float mid-air and charge towards the weakened monster. It suddenly makes his way up, which makes the surrounding adventurers and knights retreat. But not me.

I thrust my plug hands and antennae into the monster's body and drain its energy under its color fades and…

The heck?!

My single eye fails to see the two monsters standing up from where they lie.

I groan in pain as the Skull Captain's sword slashes my back. The Kraken is crawling towards me, too.

So… the drained soul-eater is reviving its minions?

I unplug the two antennae and throw them onto my back. They coincidentally catch the Kraken's two heads. Then… subsequently… I absorb the monster's energy, too.

Multiple blasts from Arian, strikes of Rex's Big Fat Claymore, and Filo's claw attacks on the monsters seem to have an effect.

"It's… gonna…"

But…

Several yellow blasts fall to us from the sky.

"Oh… crap!... CHROMASTONE!"

The blasts are absorbed into my body.

I motion the surrounding warriors to back off and I retreat myself from the spot back to the heroes.

The monster is now pinned under the yellow blasts.

"How very disappointing."

A feminine voice is heard coming from the sky.

And someone jumps down, triggering a dust cloud and covering our sight.

"Jeez…"

And under her feet… the monster has turned into dust.

The wind brings the dust away and reveals a black-haired beautiful Asian woman with pale skin. She wears some kind of black Asian dress which I can't identify, though I feel I have seen somewhere. Probably Julie showed me days back.

She also has two strange black sticks in her hands.

"Oh, you are… like a ghost. But you are not a monster," I comment.

She narrows her eyes as she glares at me, her eyes seem to be calculating my stats.

"But you stole MY KILL! OH MY GOD! The last time an Asian girl stole something from me, it was my heart!"

"You have trouble with weaklings like that? Are you really the heroes blah blah…"

Her voice sounds to be mocking us. An enemy? A friend? A random passerby who wanna laugh at a group of moronic heroes? Whatever.

"Says the one who stole my kill," I laugh.

She frowns at me. Trust me, it makes my laugh stop.

"Or the others are hero and you are a clown."

"I hate clowns, don't mention them," I bark back.

"You sure did well with… your shapes and sizes…but… it isn't enough."

"What? Should I have learned the art of stealing others' kills?" I tease.

Imagine a purple rock alien who can't do as much smile is telling jokes with a straight face.

"What's your name?" she asks.

I point my rocky index finger at her… which makes her tremble a bit since she doesn't know my cards.

"Hey," I order. "Isn't it rude? I mean, Asians are polite people and you are making a bad image for them!"

She doesn't smile.

"Oh… your response… a little bold, are we?"

Hah! You call it bold? I have fought with the intergalatic warlord and never felt I am bold. Maybe… it's my habit.

"Pardon me, my name is… Glass," she introduces herself.

Glass… I don't wanna attack her. What if she is brittle as her name goes… and… shit, my imaginations are gonna kill me.

"Feel free to consider me your enemy, clown hero."

I chuckle.

"Enemy?" the rest of hero starts to wonder out loud.

"Today's enemy," I begin. "Can be tomorrow's friend. Nice to meet you, I am Ben Tennyson, better known as Ben 10. Back on my world…. My best friend is… once one of my greatest foes. So, don't worry, I will befriend you, too. I have plenty of experience with beating the crap– Oh, sorry, you are a woman."

She again scowls at me.

"You talk a lot, don't you? Ben Tennyson, is it?" she says unfolding her sticks and revealing the black metal fan plates under one another.

"So then, shall we begin?" She challenges. "The true battle of the Wave?

"GUYS, BACK OFF!"

I enter the stance as I order the rest.

"Aren't you going to attack, Hero Tennyson?" she challeges again. "Why not send those servants of yours at me?"

"Servants…?" Ren angrily responds.

Itsuki follows. "Did you just call us–"

"They aren't my servants," I react to her teasing. "Rather my haters, aren't you? And for what reason do I have to attack you, tell me? A random girl in black appeared out of nowhere only to be assaulted by a crystalline purple monster, this won't be looking good in the capital, sure with that bastard of a king."

"If you don't attack…"

Hmm? I look back and see the heroes and soldiers charging at Glass.

"Meteor Slash!" "Meteor Thrust!" "Meteor Shot!"

"Guys what!?"

Before I can finish my sentence, their attacks reach Glass much to my shock.

"No–"

She blocks all the attacks in a split-second with her metal fan.

"Why are you worrying about an enemy? Hero… and… is that all you got?"

She is… unharmed… much to my surprise.

"You aren't overconfident for no reason, huh?" I chuckle again.

She stretch her arms to the sides.

"Zero Stance Rondo: Reverse Four Seasons!"

If I say the magic spells are crazy, don't hate me. I have never heard Gwen saying the spells out loud in understandable language.

She waves her fans… but I perfectly see what she does.

After all, Chromastone is faster than most individuals think he is. The main reason is the crystalsapien is a lone wolf.

"I love this stuff," I mumble as I grab the soldiers and heroes and my party members, one by one and send them to the back of the ship, as XLR8.

In seconds after winds die down, she widens her eyes in shock. No one except me is around, they all are safely transported from the area.

"Two seconds to recuse 24 people. A new record, heheh!"

I thought my feet are gonna overheat. But it's still not beyond my limit.

"You are…"

"I am fast," I whisper into her ears from her behind.

(Speed, huh? Thanks for the tip. Heck, no.)

It causes her to jump and thrusts her metal fans into me by instincts.

But I am no more there.

"Good reflexes. You aren't a random woman. Tell me, who hire you?"

I rap into her ears again.

She tries to slash me with her fans again.

But…

"An afterimage?" she gasps.

"How fast do you think… is sound?"

The heroes and the rest of the rescued people other than my party can just question my whole existence.

Wait, am I bullying a person with my overwhelming powers?

Forget it, I need a way to end this all without anyone harmed!

And wait… what is that bottle lying on the ground?

I run to where it resides at a super high speed and grab it.

"Soul-soothing potion (Soul Pt recovery) huh? Interesting."

A living soul… between life and death… whose is it? I look around… the one as pale as a soul is… Glass.

She widens her eyes as my wandering eyes lands on her.

Between life and death… as a Ghost…

"Aw… nice. A spirit, huh? No, you aren't a spirit. You are… a half-spirit."

This is why she killed the soul eater who possibly feeds on souls.

"Can you just please leave?" I ask.

"You are asking an enemy to retreat, huh? How overconfident of you."

A short charge and I am behind her.

And I throw several punches into her in milliseconds.

People might say… It's cruel.

But it did nothing.

I retreat to my last sigh and yawn.

She is unharmed.

"I knew it!" I exclaim. Energy life-forms are kind of like anodite.

"Oh… You figure it out, but you are still trying to save everyone. Including your enemy. I wonder what force is driving you. You are a true hero who is struggling to save everyone. That attitude of yours will backfire you someday."

I laugh dryly.

"I don't need someone to remind me I am a hero. Because I already am. I was a hero, I have been a hero and I am a hero. I will continue my hero journey in the future, too.

"And trying to save everyone? Hell yes, no one's gonna die in my presence!"

She smirks.

"Well done with your speech, Reverse Four Seasons!"

I raise an eyebrow as wind blades are directed to me.

"DIAMONDHEAD! Oh, it's cute."

I say cheekily as I look at her in her surprised eyes.

"And now…GHOSTFREAK!"

"What? You still have more?"

An evil laugh is heard as I vanish into the thin air.

"I am…" I tease her. Her metallic fans, which I refer to by Iron Fans, just go through my invisible body.

"Who… was… overconfident?..."

She widens her eyes as she realizes her mistake.

"Rem~member not~ to under~estimate your op~polenta."

I speak with a freaky voice.

"I can't attack something I can't touch, huh?" Her expression changes dramatically as her fan is shaped into a sword with a pink energy blade.

She places another fan on the blade as if she is targeting somewhere… exactly.

Crap, I forgot about them.

An energy beam shoots into the air towards the heroes and people. The heroes enter the stance to protect the people behind them.

But…

A certain purple rock crystal man has absorbed the energy beam into his body.

After two seconds, the beam stops.

Glass is shocked to see me unharmed.

"It's not just you…. who have powers! Just because their ability is inferior to you… you don't have no right to bully them! Anyway, thanks for the food. Here's the main dish!"

I send an ultraviolet ray in her direction which causes smoking on her clothes.

"No… not enough," I look up at the sky shortly.

The boss is killed so the wave should be ended soon. If not,… it will not be pretty.

The sky is dark… no moon… no sun… just portals.

I tap the Omnitrix symbol once again.

"WHAMPIRE!"

I become a vampire-like alien with pale skin, green eyes, and sharp yellow teeth. The outfit consists of a black jumpsuit with a green chest and markings, black gloves with green fingers that possess sharp claws, and a green mask with spikes on it. My head is rather large and features green eyes, and my head spikes are part of my suit and they do not cover any part of my body. I also have green flaps under my arms, which resemble the wings of a bat.

This form is dangerous. It's totally a vampire and thirst for life energy. So I had a hard time controlling this form because if I don't hold back, I can kill someone very easily in this form.

"Get OUT OF HERE!"

In my vision, all I can see is the life force of the living things and the energy of the surrounding. My sight is overwhelmed by the special effects of the vision and my mind is influenced by the urge to drain life force from anyone around.

And then I… look up at Glass, whose body is almost completely made up of white energy.

"Hahahah! I'm gonna love to eat her– No!"

I fight my urge to bite her down as my body itself subconsciously charges at her. She immediately dodges my arms and kicks me in the torso which sends me flying for a short distance. In reality, I regained my composure in no time and again charged at her, extending my hands in the front.

"Dammmnnn!"

She shouldn't be captured.

But… unfortunately, my arms catch her... perfectly in a position... and my teeth sink into her neck.

Shit! What have I done?! Come on, why are you not coming out?! Why are my hands not following my orders!? Why don't they release her already!?

No, it is bad.

Her life energy is… delicious. I can't even stop myself.

At this rate, she will,…

But a good thing happens.

Something hits my head and sends me flying into the trunk.

"Grrr!"

It's Rex… his body is full of… metals? The red energy, huh? I lick my lips as I approach Rex with an urge to drain him.

"Run!" he says to Glass who almost fell onto the board. She slowly gets stable on her two feet. She steals a glance at us before gritting her teeth and getting up.

The ship suddenly loses its balance and trembles, causing her to lose her footing.

"Remember that we shall be the ones to emerge triumphant from the Waves."

She says looking at the group on the other side of the ship.

Then she rises into the sky and disappears into the portal.

"Crap…"

I curse as my hand finally reaches the Omnitrix symbol and cancels my transformation. The sky has gradually returned to normal.

"Oh shit…"

The ship is going down!

"GRAVATTACK!"

I transform into the planet-like alien and extend my hands controlling the gravity field around the ship.

The ship regains its balance and slowly descends to the ground.

"Hey, we are leaving."

I command my party members.

I transform into an aerophibian and fly off the ship.

The orange devil activates the boogie pack to follow me.

Arian rides Filo into the sky.

We found out a dark secret.

The foes during the Wave?

What is the main reason for a Wave?

CHAPTER (14) ENDS

I won't probably be able to update in the next week. Because I had to write a new chapter of Ben 10: Masked Rider Omnix. You can check it out in my profile, I have already uploaded a prologue chapter.

I rewatched the Ben 10 Green Lantern death battle. I have plans for Alien X in this story and they won't be fist-fights brawl but will show off Alien X's God-level skills. I don't wanna spoil it but the "God" thing is a spoiler. And Naofumi did become an immortal God himself.

Info about Pugnavore -– Deejay Emcee. I wrote about using this DNA as a tribute to Derrick J. Wyatt. Kinda OP, so I locked it away. Thanks.

Their abilities are weak yet vast. They don't have combat abilities. They consume joy and excitement more than anger and negative feelings.

Deejay Emcee can teleport across the galaxy. Can create matter, but it must not be a complex substance or something that needs high energy.

I remember the scene where Ben uses his alien shields to crash into the dragon monster. It seems to be effective. In canon, Naofumi used his cursed shield, I guess, to repel the zombie dragon's arm. So, average aliens can't just punch the monster. Its strength is also enormous in accordance with its size. So momentum has to be considered.

Which alien can use the cursed shield? I haven't still planned really… but probably Brainstorm who has a nonillion. His willpower will surely repel the shield's mental effects, lol. Sorry. And probably Terraspin, who has immunity to (limited) magic.

First I planned to equip a Universal Translator on Ben's dragon transformation. Its speech will be a voice with a British accent, that speaks proud of its own species and mocks the fake dragons.

"Does Feedback have a shield?" – His shield is an embodiment of enormous electrical energy. While Echo Echo gains a sonic-disc-like shield, Feedback shield is nearly invisible. Also, Astrodactyl gains a similar shield, too. But it can be seen. If Feedback puts his energy more into a shield, it will probably be seen as a yellow or a green shield.