Charmcaster sat on her throne. She'd been sitting there sulking since she came back from the other world. The other universe. From time to time the young maid slunk into the room and pretended to be sweeping the floor. It was obvious that she wanted to still her curiosity by being around her mistress. Just to see what had happened to her.
She'd started wearing a hooded robe which obscured all her features. The wide sleeves even hid her hands. In her large purple robe Charmcaster walked over to the pedestal table and took the bottle there into her hand staring at it for several minutes.
Elmira decided to keep scrubbing at a non-existent stain on the ground while observing the ruler of the ledgerdomain. After a while of scrubbing there in silence the witch mumbled something and the maid pretended to not hear anything.

"Elmira-" the witch turned around, "Do you know what happened to me?"

Once she was spoken to the maid stood up and bowed, "I am sorry mistress. I cannot tell you, for I do not know."

"I am already dead."

The maid was obviously taken aback and in her astonishment nearly fell over the bucket standing behind her.

"Mistress; are you telling me that- you are no longer under the living?", she inquired, scared of the answer.

Charmcaster sighed, "I am one of the undead. I turned into a lich.".

The maids eyes widened and she took a step back, "But- you cannot be a lich!".

As Elmira spoke those words Charmcaster revealed her blackened arm, which had turned thin and skeletal in a matter of days . In shock the maid sank to the ground, with widened eyes and her hands pressed to her mouth. As if she needed to keep herself from screaming. Charmcaster turned back to her throne and sat down, unaffected by her reaction.

"Elmira," Charmcaster said, "there's no more joy in my life. No pain, no smell and no taste. I started to wonder if this life is worth living anymore."

The maid protested, "But mistress! Please do not say such things. You are still the ruler of Ledgerdomain and your goal is still the same. It may be a curse which you suffer from, but- you still have your goals. And even so, you have gained the charm of resurrection. Even if you don't have those other charms, one is better than none." ."If I may be so bold-", the maid added and lowered her head, gathering her bucket and mop from the floor.

She didn't look up, unable to lock eyes with Charmcaster anymore. The figure sat unmoving on her throne her normal hand wandering up to stroke her chin, "Hm- yes. I guess you are right. Even without the joy of earthly pleasures in my life I am still the ruler of Ledgerdomain, even more powerful than before." The ruler of Ledgerdomain stood up and walked back to the small table in deep thought putting back the bottle.
"Elmira I once again leave the castle in your care. I am returning to earth. There's so much more I have to do!"

...

Once she stepped out the door Charmcaster teleported into the Violet Offenders' hideout. It was an empty and old warehouse, in the worst part of the city. She surprised them as she appeared without warning on their desk while they were busy eating Chinese take-out.
The two gang-members sitting at the table jumped up. Charmcaster noticed that neither of them wore their masks, showing their identities: Missy and Pinky. The girls from way back, she knew them well.

"What the hell?" Missy yelled, "Who are you?"

It appeared they didn't know who she was.

"Where is Red?" Charmcaster asked, wondering if her voice had changed over time too.

They still did not recognize her. "Red? She's busy!" Missy answered, pointing up to an office-door; the window who in the past overlooked busy workers was closed its shutters rolled down.

Charmcaster decided to walk up the stairs, ignoring Missy's protests. "You can't get up there! The boss is busy." Missy yelled after her until Pinky held her back.

The red-head shrugged her shoulders, "Let her. What's the worst that could happen?"

...

Charmcaster didn't even bother knocking and caught Red and Seebik in flagrante delicto. Embarassed she looked away, excusing herself.

"Damn it, Charmcaster!", the flaxen-haired woman separated from Seebik and put on her clothes, "Don't you have doors in ledgerdomain? Have you never been taught to knock?"

Seebik turned his back to the witch and pulled his pants back up, "Who's that?".

For a moment Red delayed her response to properly put on her boots giving Charmcaster a chance to introduce herself, "I am the ruler of ledgerdomain, daughter of Spellbinder and- I am the most powerful necromancer in this and any other world!"

Oh, this was surprising. Red blinked and sat back down on the couch. "What? Necromancer? Since when are you a necromancer?"

Charmcaster turned her nose up, "Well, I do have the power to resurrect anyone and anything I want to. So I am a necromancer. Have you met any other necromancers?"

There was really a moment which Red took to think about that ,then she shook her head, "Nope. Never met anyone before."

"See? Now – I heard you want to get back at your daughter? The Kraaho-hybrid?"

Red put her motorcyclehelmet back on and eyed the witch, "Hm- yes. That's why you're here?"

Charmcasters eyes wandered towards Seebik who leaned against the wall and glared at the witch who returned his glare.

"Yes. Let me help you. All I want in return- is your corpse once you die."

The red biker laughed, "I will be dead. You can have it once I took my last breath. I don't think I'll care about it."

"Good. Now observe as I give you a tool to defeat your daughter." Charmcaster stated, walking towards the Kraaho. Seebik didn't feel good about this.

...

In another part of town, the suburbs with its white fences and trimmed bushes ,Ben had just woken up and walked towards the kitchen in her PJ'S. Last night was a failure. A mistake she shouldn't try to repeat.
Ben glanced at the newspaper from time to time. The lobbyists pulled through and the Plumber's funding had been cut drastically. Public opinion of the Plumbers was also plummeting, thanks to the Rooter's scandal. She sighed and closed the newspaper turning towards her cereal. It seemed as if she had forgotten something. Something important. She put away her bowl and went back to her room.

Back there she dropped down on her couch and stared at the turned off television. Until she realized that she was lying on something hard. A book? She pulled herself up and pulled out a little notebook.
As she opened it a letter dropped out accompanied piece of paper. Oh right, that's where she put her notes regarding Hera.
That thing was still out there. She decided to finally go after her and was just about to change out of her PJ's as a portal opened, blinding her for a moment.

"Young- mistress Tennyson?", Paradox frowned and looked around the room. He did take the right turn? Right? Maybe he should have taken the left? But he took this route several times before, it was right. He must be in the right universe! There was no mistake. The Omnitrix showed the universe.

Ben decided to speak up and rip the Professor out of his thoughts, "Professor Paradox? What are you doing here?"

The Professor looked worried, "I can only assume that the worst case scenario has already occurred. Hera has escaped."

"Escaped? As in 'broken out'?" Ben repeated, still holding the notebook in her hand, "What do you mean?"

The Professor sighed, "I think I'll have to explain it from the very beginning.".

"Is it going to be a long story?".

"I am afraid so-"

…

"It was three thousand years ago. Hera as you call her now was a celestialsapien. Let me correct this: she still is."

The brunette jumped up, "I knew it!". Instead of replying the Professor sent a disappointing glare into her direction. Ben sat back down, hands in her lap.

He continued, "Hera was, no, is a mutant. Mutations can occur within any species. Lacking the usual attributes, the divided mind, she was completely alone. Driven insane by her loneliness she escaped to another planet. Finding earth she presented herself to the humans as a goddess. And she loved it. But, during that time the actions she took were amoral and unethical. Hera was willingly changing the universe around her, disregarding the natural order and rebelling against the other Celestialsapiens."

Ben frowned and started chewing her lower lip, "So- what did she do?".

"As more and more people across the globe shouted her name, she became stronger. The humans who refused to call her name were transformed, her followers were praised. Starbeard didn't like it. Neither did I. I was young to this universe I stepped into. As I saw what she did I developed a device which was able to age up or deage anyone and anything."

Ben's eyes widened as she suddenly made a shocking connection, "Eon's device. You made it. You were the one who created his weapon."

The Professor gritted his teeth and looked away, "As I said before; I was young and unaware. I thought I could age her up. Celestialsapiens are not immortal. Nobody is-. In my youthful eagerness and incognizance I killed a Celestialsapien. Due to me homogenising them, putting them all in one category with Hera. I fought Starbeard and the other Celestialsapiens. It was a long scrimmage."
The Professors facial expression was suddenly very different. It was strange to see a usually so calm man being so tense.
"Starbeard managed to destroy my device. As I lay defeated he gave me a chance to defend myself and I am grateful that he gave it to me. Instead of capital punishment I got a restraining order. Now- we still had to deal with Hera. We lured her to the edge of the universe and trapped her underneath her own throne."
The Porfessor broke off, "I was assigned as her guardian, her warden.". Their eyes meet and once again Paradox closed his eyes and took a deep breath, "I am sorry I've failed-".

Ben frowned, "Couldn't you go back in time?"

"It doesn't work like this Ben. Some things have to happen the way they do, if they don't the result is chaos.".

Ben sighed,"I forgot your preferences. So- why come to me now? You want me to beat Hera.".

The professor stood up, "Yes. But first you have to come with me. I want to show you something.". A portal opened and Ben decided to follow the older man, "Let's go!". Ben was still wearing her PJ's.

Before they stepped into the portal however, Ben laughed up causing the professor to look over his shoulder, raising his eyebrow.
"I just thought," Ben explained, "how weird it is that they got the guy who can't go near Celestialsapiens to guard one."

Paradox sighed, "I have to admit: Starbeard really didn't think that part through."
They finally stepped into the portal.

...

Ester was busy. Being the chief of a small band of Kraahos meant a lot of work. Working with the local government, trying to figuring out the budget, seeing that there were always at least two guards a the gate, giving out presents to new mom's and dad's, then there was the temperature which had to be regulated and all that other stuff a chief had to do.
She was just glad her uncle Lackno helped her, sometimes. He was old and showed obvious signs of old age. As she looked up from her papers to greet the old man she noticed that he looked distraught.

"What is it? Is it too cold again?"

The older man shook his head, "I cannot find Seebik."

Ester frowned, "Where was my uncle last seen?". As she didn't get an answer she frowned. "Lackno?" he voice was commanding, "Tell me!"

The older man looked away, "He was with your mother."

Ester's eyes widened and she jumped up walking a circle, "No! You can't tell me he's with Daisy! That's bad!"

"I thought you were going to warn the Plumbers?", Lackno asked, sitting down on a chair in her room.

Ester put her arms up, "I did! But nobody believed me! It's- it's ridiculous! The whole underground knows that my mom is back in the business! Hell, there's a rumor going around that there's some sort of- big plan- and how she's a part in it! But nobody does anything! It's like- Am I the only sane person in this city?".

Ester turned towards her uncle who looked concerned, "Maybe you should relax?"

"I cannot relax! Not as long as that woman is still out there!"

Lackno suggested that she should get out for a while. With a heavy heart Ester agreed. Once she stepped outside her hut she noticed that the new house next to hers was still unfinished. Even worse, there were metal poles sticking out of the construct. Spikes of metal, ready to impale someone. First thing she had to do was find Racks and tell him to get rid of that safety hazard. Someone could get seriously hurt.

In that moment one of the guards was screaming and before she could react the whole place was covered in smoke and several of her people tried to get to higher ground."What happened?" she shouted through the smoke, coughing as she got some dust into her lungs.

Damn it, she could barely see anything! And nobody was giving her any answers either! Damn it all! Those must be smoke-bombs. She stretched out an arm and was able to hike herself up on a pipe. Being finally able to look over the dust her jaw dropped at what she saw.
She was pretty sure she was several meters off the ground and here she was staring at something whose head, she thought so at least, was hovering over the smoke. Once the smoke cleared she could make out the creatures grotesque features. Its overly long arms were dragged over the ground, and its legs were weirdly bent as if they'd been broken and assembled incorrectly.
Yet, somehow she couldn't help but feel as if she had seen this creature before.
With one of its long arms it reached for a female Kraaho holding it above its head. Slowly he lowered his hand a little and opened its jaw at an obscene angle, dropping the Kraaho down its yap.
Reacting just in time, Ester was able to drop down and save the Krahoo from certain death shouting at her to get the others to safety as they were on the ground. Realizing that its meal had escaped him, the monster howled and charged at the hybrid who was ready to defend her home.

...

At the entrance Red stepped through the door, stalking over the Kraaho guard at the entrance, Charmcaster shuffling behind her.

"Problem with that robe of yours?" she asked casually.

The witch didn't feel the need to reply and instead looked at the fight between the transformed Seebik and Ester. "I did well." she remarked, "Don't you think so?"

Red didn't give her any praise, "We'll see! I expect a little more than just turning a lover into a monster.".

With a huff Charmcaster teleported off to a better look-out point leaving Red behind who turned towards the fight once again.

...

Ester managed to evade the monster a few times. Finally it managed to grab the Kraaho hybrid and held her in its paws. As she was there, staring into its eyes she realized something.
The eyes. They seemed to be Kraaho-like. It was then that she discovered all the other things, the marks in its face, the remains of Kraaho-clothing, the blue skin. Then she remembered that Seebik was still missing. After she connected the dots it dawned on her just who she was fighting!

"Seebik!" she called out to him in shock.

Something must have happened in that moment as he let go of her and rammed his own head with one of his hands. She managed to hold onto another pipe, drawing herself up just in time before hitting the ground. The pink haired girl had to find a way to knock out Seebik! Somehow. Her eyes traveled upwards to another pipe, which was directly over his head.
There was still a wrench in her pocket. Finally it was going to get some use.

...

The two women continued watching as the monster kept roaring smashing another house, yearning for food. For sustenance. Charmcaster had to admit that she had no idea how to control the monster she had created. Frankly she hadn't expected that Seebik would last this long. Apparently her spell also had the side effect of causing a craving for flesh.
Well, there was always a first time, in hindsight she should have come better prepared for this occasion. Next time she was going to try it on a normal human.
Wait, what happened?
Charmcaster was able to see Ester jumping to another pipe. The hybrid was quick working at the bolts. To be fair, it already looked rusty and old, obviously not as stable as it once was.
Her monster looked around irritated and grumpy, still looking for food.
As it looked up, it threw a claw at the large pipe. It must have realized what Ester was doing. But as it connected with the pipe it broke and burning hot water poured into its face, causing it to produce a blood curdling scream. And right at that moment, the pipe also broke down, crashing on the creatures head and knocking it out.

Ester caught her breath as she was back on the ground, kneeling besides the knocked out monster until its form reverted back to Seebik. " What happened, Seebik? ", she frowned. There were no marks of assault on his body. Except for the burn scar he now had on his face. Ester lowered her head. "I'm sorry", she whispered, "I had no other choice."
It was then that she saw a traitorous shadow raising next to hers. It was a lean one and seemed to extend his hand. She turned around and barely escaped the iron rod aimed at her.
"Red!" she exclaimed, balling her hands into fists, "What are you doing here?"

The woman in red put the rod on her shoulder, grinning behind the visor, "I am tired of not getting my share. So I am taking it. We really had a good thing going with Seebik. Me, the Kraaho, the Violet Offenders, a tight knit group. I go to jail for five years and what do I get? Nothing? I am tired Ester. Very tired, of your shit! You! The reason and cause of all my troubles!"

The pink haired girl quickly connected the dots. It had been obvious, really. And it made her furious. Enraged Ester decided to lash out against her mother. "You're tired? You want your share? The Kraaho are tired of your shit! We're not your thieves and we never were!"

The woman laughed, "I am sorry. We? Ester, those people aren't your people! You're part human! A part of me."

The hybrid stood up, fists by her side, "I reject the human part of me! I was always more Krahoo than human. I hate you! Most of the time you barely even remembered I existed! The only one who was there for me were other Kraaho!"

"Urgh! Don't give me that teenage drama. Just hit me, see how far you can get."the woman shouted at her, motioning towards her to come closer.

Ester took the chance to get the jump at her mother. She extended a fist and grabbed the red biker's motorcycle jacket she wore throwing her over her shoulder in one swift motion. "You've gotten rusty old woman!" Ester yelled at her, grabbing her wrench as of it were a weapon. She was unaware that some Kraahoo had returned from their hideouts.

Again, her mother laughed, "Ester, please, you really think you can beat me?"

"Test me!".

The older woman pulled herself up, shaking her head. She pulled something out of her pocket and extended it. It was an electric prod with variable length. A torture deviced usually used on slaves. Why did Daisy have that?
What Ester didn't seehowever, was the buzzer in Red's other hand. She'd equipped behind her back. In Ester's youthful eagerness she managed to grab her with one arm intending to restrict her movement.
It was that moment that her mother used to smash down the buzzer on Esters arm electrocuting her. For a moment Ester lost her grip and slipped which was the opportunity Red used to jam her prod into Esters chest, full force. The pink haired girl fell unconscious.

Red tied her daughter up by her own arms, giggling. As she slowly came back, the blonde woman decided to taunt her. "You're as weak as your dad was."

Ester slurred; "Dad? Estrik?"

"He was such a soft hearted fool. He believed anything I told him. I didn't start the fire! I was just a little innocent slave from earth looking for a way back home. You? You were like a meal-ticket. But the true price, that was getting back home away from those idiot savages. When was that? Eight years ago? Ten? Time flies by Ester."

Ester suddenly realized something, "Ten."

"What?" Red laid her head queer, "What are you saying?"

"Ten years ago, Seebik became the chief of our tribe. Ten years ago, as dad died. I didn't believe it. My own eyes must have deceived me. But I saw you. You killed him! All those years I always thought it was a bad dream."

Suddenly she felt a boot connect with her head and Ester groaned in pain, feeling blood flowing down her brow. She got grabbed at her coat, "You don't know anything! All I ever wanted was freedom, warmth, wealth and power. And I don't care over how many corpses I have to walk to get it!"

"You killed Estrik." a voice behind her spoke up. It was then as she realized in shock that everyone had heard her confession.

Panicked she turned around holding up her hands; "Lackno! You- you heard all of this-". Fuck! Why had she decided to come alone? "Listen I-"

"You killed my son." he stated coming closer, stopping as she pulled out a gun and pointing it at Ester.

"One more step" she threatened "and I'll kill your granddaughter too!".

The Plumber sirens could be heard in the distance. Everything was going wrong! And not even Charmcaster was here anymore! What a bitch!

Ester had regained her consciousness and stared down at the barrel of a gun. Then her eyes fell upon the sharp metal pole sticking out of the skeletal housing construct. It was quite pointy, maybe with enough force-
She readied herself not listening to their conversation. Her whole body was tense until she realized all her power to shove the older woman back against the spike. The woman toppled over and fell, feeling the metal burrowing into her chest and impaling her. In that moment her gun went off and the steel bullet went into Ester's shoulder. There was silence and shocked faces all around as Ester sunk down.
Her mother was looking down at herself at the spike which had pushed itself through her ribcage. The madwoman was laughing, "You really are my daughter.". It seemed as if she tried to push herself off the metalrod as she pulled at it ineffectively.
Blood dribbled down her mouth and her chin as she continued laughing. Holy shit, this was how she was going to die? That was ridiculous! It was getting cold, very cold and her world grew dark.

...

As the Plumbers finally came they went to take care of Ester and Seebik. Seebik was still out cold and Ester was in the process of passing out from blood-loss. They were busy with taking care of them until both were stable.

"You!" Molly Gunther turned towards Morty, the ape-like alien, "take care of the corpse. Restrict the area and call the cleaners."

Morty saluted and went to check the corpse. But as soon as he stepped in front of the dead woman he was clouded in pink smoke and readied his weapon. The hooded figure which appeared in front of him raised its arms and after shouting a strange word he could feel himself being pushed to the side. As he stood back up and ran towards them the figure disappeared in another cloud of pink smoke, taking the corpse with it.

...

First thing Charmcaster did was disposing of the corpse in the castle's basement. It was cool enough, so she'd stay fresh for a while. Then she went back to the opera house.
As always Hera was venting.

"Why isn't she here already? I thought she wanted to fight me!" the pseudo-goddess complained bashing against the wall with thousands of little fists.
Charmcaster stepped in front of her.

"Hera. I have bad news. Red was killed."

The pseudo-goddess screamed, "Great! Exactly what I need now!".

Charmcaster closed her eyes for a moment, letting her rage on, "But I have a plan. Of course only if you want to hear it-."

The tar-baby decided to listen for a few minutes.

"Zombies? Undead? I don't care!" she huffed, "As long as you keep some alive to pray to me!"

The witch pulled her hood down farther over her eyes, to hide the expression on her face, "Of course."

With a grin she turned around, ignoring Polema and Khyber talking in the background. Anastasia had returned and was sitting in the office bundling up money for the thugs. From Charmcasters point of view, everything was going alright.

...

Meanwhile on a different plane of existence Paradox and Ben were still talking.
The brunette had to admit that Paradox' place was quite cozy. Though, it was literally standing in the middle of nowhere.
Aesthetically it was quite the stereotypical 50's futuristic bachelor pad. With the most comfortable sofa in probably the entire galaxy. But the real showpiece was the gigantic glass cabinet taking in the entire wall, filled with the strangest things.
Ben had to admit, if she didn't have all her friends in a different dimension she'd just stay here.
The brunette even got Paradox to keep on talking. And frankly, she'd loved to hear the stories of all of the stuff in the cabinet.
Yet, they did not have the time and for now she had to stick with the anecdote of how Paradox lost his arm. Which he was just about to finish.

"-that's how I lost my arm.", Paradox finished taking the prosthetic limb from Ben who had admired it for a wile.

Ben blinked, "Wow. That was a cool story."

"I suppose. But to come back to my initial reason as to why I brought you here." he stood up and walked to a cabinet. On a bust was a necklace with a green stone.
He took it off and offered it to Ben who took it willingly.

"What's this?" she asked inspecting it closer, it didn't seem to be special in any way.

The Professor started to explain, "This is the seed of all evil. Chaos in its purest form. But also the most puissant object I own.".

"Really? I mean you have so many things- and this- it's as big as the fingernail of my little finger.", the brunette remarked, raising an eyebrow at the Professor.

Paradox put a hand over hers, "Listen, once you wear it, it'll become a part of you. I offer you this chance because I think you are strong willed enough to wear it and because you need it to fight and beat Hera. You will have to fight her and its negative influence. It's the only way the universe will become free again."

She nodded and determined Ben decided to put it on knowing that she was strong enough. After putting it on she concentrated on her inner feelings and realized that she didn't feel any different.

"It reacts to your Omnitrix." Paradox explained, then he stood up. "You have to go. Staying here any longer would be bad for you.". Ben didn't reply. Instead she seemed thoughtful as if there was still a question in her mind, remaining unanswered.

"I thought of something that I am kind of curious about-" she started and broke off again.

Paradox frowned and turned towards her. She still hadn't moved from the couch. The Professor decided to encourage her, "Please continue."

Blushing she lowered her voice and as soon as Paradox heard her question he himself turned red. "I am- I am not sure what to say."

Ben bit her lower lip, "It seems immoral, right? But I just want to try it once. And with everyone else- it would be weird. But you've seen so much and experienced so much- once. Just once. Please? Only to try it out? No feelings attached?"

The older man was thoughtful of her offer, but after a moment of hesitation decided to agree. Just once. Because one time was all it took.
And Ben got to hear a lot more stories afterwards.

...

"Thank you. "
Charmcaster spun around in surprise as she heard those foreign words coming from Chadwick's mouth.

She looked around in bewilderment, "Are you-thanking me? Why? What have I done?"

"Just removed an inconvenience. You don't think I know where you went? The Violet Offenders were quite offended that you teleported into their base of operations." he laughed at his own joke. "Anyways-" he continued, "You have my gratitude. If you ever need anything come to me."

Charmcaster glared at him, "Sure.". Even after all this time, or better, especially after all this time the witch was still distrustful of the older man.

She departed and Chadwick walked back up the stairs to see how Anastasia was doing. He had to remind himself to keep a solemn face as he walked in. "Tell me Anastasia, are you hungry?" he asked her after a few seconds of silence.

The Russian looked up, slightly confused, "Why? Did you bring food?"

After looking around she figured that he did not.

"That's not what I meant. When did you last take your own medicine?"

She stopped in her work and closed the case, "What do you mean, Chadwick?"

"Nicole. I know where she is and I know how you can get her." he tried to keep his composure, "Why don't we go?"

Those words barely escaped his mouth as the Russian was already skipping down the steps. A grin appeared on his lips. Everything was working out quite well for him.