Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel, Ben 10, or any other material I use for this story. Professional, amateur, or otherwise. This is completely non-profit and for fun.

Shorter chapter than the last two, but that's alright. I'm mostly going what fits with the pacing of the story. Anyway, I'm switching up the point of view from third-person to first-person. At least, for Ben. There will still be other POVs. I won't cover them in first-person as I do for Ben. I feel like I can write a better main character in first person than I can do for third.

Reviews time!

Maximum Rhapsody: Thank you for writing such a detailed review. I enjoyed reading it. To answer your question, yes, other Ben 10 characters will make an appearance. I can't guarantee all of them will be main characters, but they will make appearances, and they will exist. You did make good points with the Guardians of the Galaxy and the Nova Corps. Personally, I really do want to write some stuff for both of them. As for the pairing suggestions, I'll seriously contemplate them. Charmcaster wasn't someone I really entertained as a pairing for Ben, but admittedly, it does sound like an interesting idea.

OmnitrixUltimateGod: In short order, no, Ben cannot transform into an Inhuman. Inhumans are mutated humans, not aliens. Celestials, Asgardians, Kree, those are all fair game. Getting a sample for the former would be next to impossible though, as Celestials surpass Celestiaspaiens. Normal Celestials are Multiverse level+. Much, much, much more powerful than a Celestialsapien.

Omnitrixdelta846: 5yl is a very interesting consideration to take into account. I stated that any material I use, amateur or otherwise is for fun. So, depending on what the audience thinks, I will seriously consider using 5yl aliens.

WerewolfXZ: Much appreciated! Thank you so much for the kind words! They mean a lot to me. I'm so glad you enjoy the story.

Love10ben: Yes, I'm well aware. I said before, in the first chapter, that things would be different. Some stuff would be changed, and this was an AU, in both Marvel and Ben 10. I felt this version of the Plumbers would make way more sense. Plus, this is just the version of the story that Ellis told Fury. Who knows, maybe Ellis only told him a piece of the truth...

For the ones that are interested in having a choice about the pairing, check out the poll I have on my profile. I can certainly use your feedback on the subject, cause I am stuck on the subject. Reviews and suggestions about the pairing are welcome there too.


Chapter III: Honey Trap

After personally retrieving all his confiscated gear, they both left that stealthy facility. It appeared more like a bunker from the outside. Partially buried beneath a heap of sand. Tall hills as a background. Rough terrain for many, many miles. Even the bunker was camouflaged to blend in with its environment. Approaching on foot, someone would be hardpressed to find this place if they did not know what they were looking for.

They were miles away now. Dismounting their motorcycles, both steadily approached their respective ships. Rook probably anchored beside mine as he likely followed the ship's tracking signal. Soon, as Rook set his palm on the scanner, the doors opened, displaying a sizable cargo bay.

"Not that I'm not grateful, but how did you know where to find me?"

"I did not," said the Plumber. "I merely went to your government's leader."

"And he just let you see him?"

Rook overlooked the healthy dose of skepticism in my voice. "Of course. Once I introduced myself to him, that is."

"Guess that pact the Plumbers made still holds up," I said dryly. Especially if made the President of the United States come down there himself. Something didn't sit well with me, though. How being a Plumber would cause the president to go down a secret base himself to free me. With how much I knew of politicians in general—in space, or on Earth, it was middling. Politicians would always be politicians. They were career liars and opportunists.

"I would certainly hope so, Ben. The humans are a great ally to have."

"Not from what I hear. If it wasn't for my grandfather being a big shot in his heyday, and this watch, they wouldn't piss on me if I was on fire."

"That is not true," Rook tried to say. "I place an extraordinary amount of value on you."

"Because of me, or this?" The Omnitrix gleamed.

"Both," Rook answered honestly.

"That's you, and I love you for it, but trust me, Rook, reading people is my specialty. And no offense, identifying behavior is not your strong suit."

"None taken." He was a firm believer in honest introspection. How else would he improve himself if he was not honest about his shortcomings? "But there are Plumbers who value you, and the humans as a whole."

"There will always be outliers," I replied. "Speaking of, Vulkanus got away."

"I noticed. When those S.H.I.E.L.D. men kidnapped you, I inspected the field upon which the battle took place. As much as I could without arousing suspicion."

"S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

"It is an acronym, yes? I saw it painted on one of their walls." I hummed. I'd seen the same thing. It was good to have someone reaffirm my thought process. These people, the ones that abducted me, belonged to an organization named S.H.I.E.L.D. I had never heard of them before. Judging by the president's reaction, and how comfortable he felt marching in there, they were sanctioned. "Paramilitary?"

"It was my first guess," confirmed Rook.

"I've got unfinished business here," I said measuredly. "I really appreciate the save, Rook. They couldn't have sent a better person." Hand out, Rook immediately shook it.

Retracting, "Do you want me to accompany you to apprehend Vulkanus?"

I considered it for a second, then shook my head. "No. I tracked him down once. If he hasn't jumped ship, I'll find him again here."

"Are you sure? He will be even harder to find," he warned. Rats tended to burrow even deeper once spooked. "And S.H.I.E.L.D. will likely be an issue."

Most likely. "I'll be fine. I'm grateful for the offer, but I think I better handle this one alone. Bringing you along will just attract more attention than it's worth."

"I see. Admittedly, I hadn't thought of that." Rook wasn't used to traveling to planets that were not used to interstellar visitors. On a planet like Earth, where humans were still an incredibly infantile race, alien transport is incredibly foreign to them. I was correct. Him accompanying me would only bring trouble.

"Again, thank you for helping. I owe you," I said, perhaps too formally. Honestly, I was just glad to be breathing fresh air again.

"You owe no debt to me, my friend." Rook shook my hand again and stepped into his ship. "What should I tell them?" The Plumbers, their bosses.

That erected a frown. "The truth," I answered eventually.

Rook offered another nod, and his ship doors retracted. I took a few hazard steps back. Ignition lit up beneath his ship. Levitating, I watched as Rook's ship steadied a moment, and fired off into the sky, disappearing in a blink.

I parted a glance to his motorcycle. Wildly futuristic by human standards, colored a dismal green, set with streamlined reinforced plating, and unlawful bodily dynamics. Yeah, I can't take these out on the street. I sent Rook away because he would turn too many heads. If I drove this cycle in any part of the world, it would attract attention. Not to mention, make a beacon for S.H.I.E.L.D. to find me again.

Against my better instincts, I ushered my cycle back into the ship. Palm resting on its scanner, the ship closed up, laying dormant. It disappeared from the eye, entering camouflage mode. Or as I preferred to call it "Rest Mode." I cast a few looks, ensuring I was alone and initiated my trek into town. Noticing my state of apparel; a two-piece protective bodysuit. Going around, hunting for Vulkanus in this presented the same issue as riding his cycle into town. I needed a new pair of clothes.

First stop, Jackson Wyoming.

It was quaint, were my first thoughts upon arriving. The town was old-styled, resembling buildings made in the seventies and eighties. It was built beside a huge mountain range, encircled by steep hills, mountains, and plains. I trekked into town, eyes scanning the various signs. Finally, I found what I was skimming for; "BOB'S SHOES AND CLOTHES".

The bell above the door wrung when I strode in. Ignoring some of the looks I received, he quickly made his way over to a shirt rack. Plaid wasn't really his style, but he swallowed his displeasure, slipping on a double XL. The loose-fitting plaid struggles to accommodate my arms. Even though the length fit perfectly, I considered getting a triple XL. Scraping the idea, I decided just to finish up here.

Shirt open, buttons undone, I put on a pair of jeans. They weren't skinny jeans, nor were they a wide fit. A straight pair appealed to me more. Ripping the tags off both pairs of clothes, I approached the register. The man looked at me in surprise. A sigh nearly escaped my mouth. I was tall, but not that tall… right?

Nevertheless, I slid over the tags. He scanned them, and I handed him two twenties and a five that I took off an unsuspecting S.H.I.E.L.D. agent when I left. Whoever that guy was, he's gonna go home real pissed. Now that I thought about it, his name was Phillip or something. I remembered seeing a "J" in there too if I wasn't mistaken. Oh well, no use dwelling on it now. I told him to keep the change and exited the store. That damn bell wrung right above my head. My ears buzzed agitatedly. I resisted the urge to tear off the bell and stomp it into smithereens. Following my clothing purchases, I retreated into a vacant alleyway. Careful that I was free from any cameras, and civilians, I reached for the watch.

A green flash and I soared off into the air as Jetray. Turns out, I could fly a few miles almost in an instant at Mach-5.

Who knew?

As I arrived at the mines, I tapped the Omnitrix. With Big Chill's intangible properties, I submerged into the ground, fading from view. Down at the appropriate level, I apprehensively sailed over to where I entrapped Vulkanus. Dozens of those S.H.I.E.L.D. goons worked away, doing their best to analyze what they were seeing. A chilled cackle almost arose from my throat in amusement. They had no idea what they were looking for. It was almost fun to watch them try.

Invisible from their gaze, I knelt down to a trail of crushed rock. There was seared dirt near it as well. This was the spot. It was challenging to distinguish between regular rock, and the rock I used as Heatblast to encase Vulkanus. Here though, I was confident I could do exactly that. Hand coming from my cloak, I gently graced my four-fingered palm across the dirt.

Could Vulkanus really have escaped on his own? I flashed back to Khyber. He did sheathe the whole area in smoke. Maybe he saved Vulkanus? But why would a bounty hunter as ruthless as Khyber save a dirtbag like Vulkanus?

A frown clouded my ghostly features.

Why do bounty hunters do anything?

For money.

Vulkanus in all likelihood paid him for more than to kill me. To save him if he were apprehended. No, Vulkanus knew he would be caught. It was anticipated. I shook my hooded head. He was counting on being caught. It lulled me into a sense of security. Why wouldn't it? I thought Vulkanus was working alone. He always worked alone. He couldn't work with anyone. The glory and satisfaction he got was too fine of a prize for him to share.

But I suppose when you're desperate enough, you'll do anything to survive.

That's when it dawned on me.

Khyber was supposed to kill me when I had my guard down. Instead, he introduced himself.

But why?

That type of behavior was unusual for someone as focused as Khyber. He had a plan for everything. It was in his profile. Someone like that did not make mistakes. He was extraordinarily intelligent, he possessed a degree of decisiveness that allowed him to be proficient enough to claim the title of the galaxy's deadliest bounty hunter. Everyone in the Plumbers knew the name Khyber. His savagery was unmatched, as were his accolades.

What Khyber presented against me was pride. Someone like Khyber exhibiting such an emotional flaw went against everything in the profile. He was a sociopath who got his pleasure through killing and hunting. He didn't care what others thought of him. Khyber couldn't. He was incapable of feeling anything other than pleasure.

Then why not kill me when I was vulnerable?

Maybe… just maybe, the profile is wrong. What if Khyber wasn't a sociopath? Rather, an exuberant psychopath! It made sense now that he thought about it. Sociopaths exhibited erratic behavior. They were capable of feeling empathy and guilt. Khyber wasn't. He didn't care who he killed. If they had a bounty on them, they were nothing more than a prize for him. A conquest waiting to be conquered.

Letting out a frosty breath, I unfurled my cloak and flapped my wings. I sailed up through the ceiling. Reforming outside, I knelt, inspecting the ground. Like I guessed, any trace of Khyber and his mutt were long since gone. As if to prove my point, a gale of wind swept up the sand beneath my careful grasp. The more investigated, the more I realized that every little detail was meticulously planned.

Why would Vulkanus go to a coal mine in Wyoming? At first, I thought perhaps, he was just hiding out, or mining for some rare ore in the Earth's crust. In reality, he chose this location for the ever-changing environment. Even if I tracked him a few hours after he and Khyber escaped, I still wouldn't have been unable to follow them. The trail faded faster than I could blink. More sand swept out from underneath me in a gale of wind.

Literally.

All of this was one big elaborate honey trap.

"He was boring prey. Predictable. Establishing a pattern from him was easy. He was greedy, but also a coward. All I had to do was create a bounty so great he couldn't help but take a chance. In the end, he came to me."

Create a bounty so great he couldn't but notice. That was exactly what Vulkanus did. Stole Xandarian weaponry, killed a few dozen people and ran all the way to Earth knowing I would be the one to confront him. All of that was just to get my attention. Vulkanus hired Khyber to plan out this entire thing. Vulkanus was far from capable of concocting a plan this thorough. No, this was Khyber's doing. He practically said so. The tactic he used on Six-Six was the one he used on me, and I bought it.

Hook, line, and sinker.

I felt like a damned idiot.

Just as I was about to leave in angered haste, I caught a glimpse of something buried beneath a sheet of sand. I plucked a blueish fern, invisible, eyes slanting. I didn't need an environmental studies degree to know this did not belong here. A fern this colorful went against the conditions of a desert. Cacti, succulents, shrubbery, and dried-out trees. This thing was healthy and required lots of water to survive.

Then how did it—Khyber…

"We shall meet again, Benjamin Tennyson."

He left a clue on purpose! Of course!

Khyber wouldn't be careless. No, he wanted me to find him. He lost that day, he wants a rematch. No way would he leave this otherwise. Everything Khyber did was for a reason. Why else would he leave a clue? It was obvious. He wanted me to pursue him... to hunt him. But Khyber was the hunter. Why would he suddenly dangle himself as bait? Somebody like him, who took hunting far too seriously, would never put himself on the back foot.

Then why leave a trail? Why choose Wyoming if it wasn't to hide your trail?

Unless Khyber did this without Vulkanus' knowledge. Perchance, he was just using Vulkanus to get to me? He chose Wyoming because he knew it would be nearly impossible to track him after escaping. Even if I did survive. But Khyber had a different plan.

That had to be it! Nothing else made sense.

Clutching the cerulean fern, I slammed the Omnitrix symbol on my chest and vanished in a distant sonic boom.

Undisclosed Location

"I can't believe you let Tennyson get away!" Vulkanus thundered, angrily smashing his fists through a stack of wooden pallets.

Khyber observed his childish temper tantrum indifferently. "I promised you that he would lie dead at my feet," he said meaningfully. "I never told you it would be then."

"Listen here, bounty hunter—if Tennyson puts me away, I'll die in that prison! What I did to get out… they'll kill for me it!"

"I am well aware of your predicament. It matters little to me."

Vulkanus growled, lunging for the bounty hunter. Khyber's dog growled, leaping, but a cordial wave, and the beast laid down. Khyber ducked under his dashing fist. Clutching it, he turned and threw him on his back. Vulkanus grunted and aimed a laser that was mounted on his wrist. Khyber tilted his head, bent his arm, electing a grimace, then rammed his foot into Vulkanus' neck. The criminal gagged, flutily struggling as Khyber showed no signs of weakening.

"I paid you…" he murmured lowly.

"And you think this gives you power over me?" the bounty hunter inquired softly, sending a chill down Vulkanus' neck. Khyber applied even more pressure into Vulkanus' throat. His gagging became even more incessant. "I will kill Ben Tennyson. I made that promise. Not to you; to me. Allow me to one thing clear: you are a street thug who is more afraid of going to prison than you want to succeed in your grand aspirations. I have no such fear."

"I smuggled you on Earth, undetected," Vulkanus said, choking over his own words.

"And you believe that I could not do that on my own?"

Another chill went down his spine. This power—it was unlike Vulkanus had ever felt. Not even Tennyson could have dispatched of him that easily.

"What is it that you want? To spare my life!"

"Nothing. Your life has no meaning to me." Vulkanus tremored, his face still pressed firmly into the cement. "Your bounty is insignificant compared to Ben Tennyson's. To you, there is nothing to hunt. Your life is not worth taking."

Khyber released him. Vulkanus desperately swallowed in oceans worth of air, chest heaving. The former turned around, exposing his back. He conjoined both hands behind him as he gazed into the night sky. The skylight allowed him to survey the many beauty stars. Vulkanus stumbled onto his feet. Clutching his arm, he glared balefully at back. He wanted to ram his fist through his stomach. Strike him down right then and there. Rip out his spine and force it down his throat. But he trembled instead.

Every instinct commanded him to flee. Khyber was a demon. Not for his martial prowess, but rather his mind. He was mad. Wicked as can be. Never had he felt so thoroughly humiliated. Not even against Ben Tennyson. To this man, he wasn't even worth killing. Ben Tennyson didn't kill him in his teen years out of a misplaced sense of moral superiority. The two instances could more different. Instead of attacking, Vulkanus did the opposite. He took a step back.

Khyber smirked, kneeling to pet his beast. She trilled at feeling his sharpened, platted fingers slip under her coat. "You did well, old friend. But this Ben Tennyson is more powerful than I imagined. And resourceful. His head will be one of our grandest trophies. I promise, he will be our greatest conquest yet."

Ben Tennyson

I entered a public library. Finding a vacant corner of the room, where I could view the entrance at all times, I sat down. The only exit, besides the entrance, was a door that led into an office. I scanned every face he could see, committing it to memory. I didn't consciously do it. At this point, it was just his training kicking in. It all came so naturally. I was thankful for it. The training I'd been through saved my life many times.

It was all part of being a Plumber.

But we weren't normal Plumbers.

There would always be a need for those capable of handling more challenging missions. Ones that required additional finesse, or specification. Like every military needed Special Forces or police needed SWAT. Small-force counter-insurgency, special reconnaissance, spear-head raids, land deep into occupied enemy territory—our mission was to conduct assignments regular Plumbers were unable to. We were superiorly trained, experienced, and far more combat orientated.

Regular Plumbers were more like police officers on Earth. Capable of fighting when needed, but they mostly conducted preliminary investigations, locate evidence, obtain information from witnesses, complete reports, make arrests, and escort prisoners to containment. They introduced themselves in positions of authority. It gave them an edge in many areas. However, when the time came for combat, Plumbers were not known to rely on fighting. Rather, they used weapons to subdue or take out those that put their lives, or others in danger.

Us, well, we did so much more than that. Basic Plumber training was arduous enough. Our training, however, was more specialized. Sure, developing peak physical fitness was a part of it, but honestly, that was only there to elevate prospective members enough so that they're fit enough to enter the more technical area. That region of training was more mentally challenging than anything else. One of the first things they taught me was proper information gathering.

I powered up a computer. Taking out the bluish fern from my pocket, I set it down on my table. Pulling up a search engine, I entered a rough description of the shrub. The results were disappointingly indistinct.

Okay. I had to be more precise.

A few taps recorded the length of it. Followed up by the texture, then the height. Fewer results, which meant I was narrowing it down. Not enough, though. Biting a knuckle, I wondered what I was doing wrong. Doubt seeped into my mind. I questioned whether or not I was overestimating Khyber's intentions. Tsking, I shook my head. I wasn't wrong. Until I was absolutely sure there, I had to believe I was correct.

In the corner of the screen, I saw a picture of a tree. At first, I glossed over it. It barely registered in my mind. Who would pay a picture of a tree another glance?

Wait—

A tree.

I held up the fern, or rather, a needled leaf. This was part of a tree!

Furiously adjusting my search, I entered new details. A flood of photos flooded the screen. Each of them were tall, light-blue trees that looked oddly like Christmas trees. I hovered my cursor over an image, clicking on it. The link took me to a site. I scrolled down, surveying the information until I found a headline.

Colorado Blue Spruce

Colorado… it said here that this tree grew in the central and southern Rocky Mountains. Including Wyoming. I questioned whether or not this could be a coincidence. What if someone just left this leaf incidentally?

The thought rang painfully in my head. I battled with my training and my common sense. Both were feeding me wildly different signals.

But a tree called the Colorado Blue Spruce. This had to be a clue, right? I didn't go through this trouble just for a coincidence, I told myself. Biting my finger, I clicked out of the browser. Contemplative, I sat in the chair, glaring at that damned leaf.

Decision made, I snatched it up, and stormed out of the library. In my pensive haze, I never saw a red-head enter the library as I left, and rush to occupy my seat. She clicked open the browser, and pictures of tall, beautifully blue trees met her stony gaze.

I chucked the leaf across the street as I breezily walked into a vacuous alleyway. A green flash and I was gone just as quick as the light enveloped me.

Next stop… Colorado.


Ben is on the hunt. Someone should probably tell him that someone else is hunting him as well. Oh well.

Writing in first person is just so much better for me. It allows me to feel more personal with the main character. Which in return, allows me to delve deeper into his mind, and give you, an audience more of an understanding of how he thinks. Overall, I enjoyed writing in first person. This was always the plan, I just wanted to write in third person for the first chapters to start with. Think of two chapters as a trial period.

You all can review and favorite if yall want. I'm not gonna force you. Your opinions mean a lot to me, though. For the ones that do a review, and leave compliments, questions, or constructive criticism are all welcome. But for the ones that just wanna read the story, that's totally alright to me. I'm not chasing reviews or whatever to bolster my stats. I'm just doing this for fun, and as a hobby to write the best story I can while having fun doing it.

For the ones that are interested in having a choice about the pairing, check out the poll I have on my profile. I can certainly use your feedback on the subject, cause I am stuck on the subject. Reviews and suggestions about the pairing are welcome there too. Anyhow, thank you for all you all for reading, and have a fantastic day.