Ben 10 Omniverse: A New Hope
Chapter IV - Staff of Charm, Amulet of Hope
(Part I)
Legerdomain - Hope's Cabin - Front Porch
We're back in Legerdomain, where we last left off with the newly formed magical duo. Gwen and Charmcaster both stood at the cabin's porch. Charmcaster now wore her latest 'Mage' outfit, and Gwen got in her Lucky Girl form.
Gwendolyn began summoning a different form of teleportation spell. She had gotten better and more stable at it throughout the years. She learned to cast rips through space, manipulating mana in two places at once, to form temporary wormholes. It took more time to cast than the more instant alternative, but it was more accurate on location.
A pink glowing physical portal appeared in front of the cabin's porch, just below the set of stairs. It was see-through, watery in texture. On the other side, Hex's Library's Secret Chambers at Friedkin University could be seen.
Gwendolyn: "Alright Charms, let's go get what we need to forge those channeling artifacts." She said in excitement, crossing the portal. Looking behind at Hope, from the other side. "Uh, Hope to Floating Rock? Let's go girl."
Hope: "Gwen... I'm not ready to see him again..."
Gwen: "Huh?" She was confused at what she meant.
Hope: "My uncle, I'm not ready to see him again yet, and I don't want to run into him, not now. I can't go with you. I'm sorry." Hope said, a little embarrassed.
Gwen hopped back from the portal to where Hope was. "Oh, Hope... it's ok, I'll just- I'll go grab all the things we need and come back here, ok?" Gwendolyn said, kindly, respecting her decision.
Hope: "Alright." She said, leaning on the stair's railing, feeling ashamed to make herself look so emotionally vulnerable. Despite she was beginning to accept in her mind that Gwendolyn was her friend, Hope still had a fraction of her former ego left inside of her. Opening up to personal matters was still just as hard as recovering from her addiction, which had driven her insane in the first place, to make matters more complicated. It made her feel weak, inferior... She hated the feeling.
It was something she had to fight against, when she wasn't fighting crime to distract herself from it.
Gwen nodded, and turned around, but she spoke before crossing the portal again, even though she wasn't looking at her.
Gwendolyn: "Hope, I respect that you're taking your time to deal with things, and heal, but don't push your uncle down a well." She turned around to look at her again and kept talking - "Don't let things run too late to fix. Despite everything he's done, he's changed, just like you are now, and he misses you. Think wisely on that..." She said, crossing the portal, as it closed.
Hope remained staring at the spot where the portal disappeared from. She went to sit at the rocking chairs. Charmcaster was saddened, holding her head, looking at the lavish oak wood floor. A tear fell on the wooden texture below. The homestead grew quiet.
Earth - Undertown - Very Early In The Morning
Otherworldly music filled the background of a rather empty alien supermarket, only a few folk from Undertown were shopping this early.
The sliding doors of the shop opened up. Ben and Rook came in, taking a break from Ben's first workout session, which was part of his self appointed training under Rook's supervision.
Ben was wearing training sportswear, and so was Rook, probably the first time he's seen not wearing his regular proto-tech armor suit. Rook, however, was not exhausted from the exercise, like Ben was expressing to be.
Ben: "Ugh, dude... Wow I think I'm gonna die... I stopped running but my heart hasn't..." He said in pain, panting, as they entered the shop.
Rook: "You only ran a mile, Ben, this is what one would call: being out of shape. You will feel much better after a week or two, that is when you will begin seeing results if you stay motivated." Rook was not expecting Ben to be this tired from his first day of training. He continued - "I hope you are still ready for the obstacle course, and the combat course, and the-" He got cut off, while they went to the fridges.
Ben: "Yea, yea, man... I'm- I'm ready for it all, I won't give up that easily..." He stated, as he leaned his back against one of the grocery shelves.
The shelf filled with alien items, foods, and all sorts of products, began to fall in the opposite direction, even Ben fell back to the floor. When he raised his head, he saw the chaos being unleashed. Through a falling domino effect, all of the shelves at the store began to fall, as other customers began running away from the disaster. Ben and Rook stared in shock.
The last shelf crashed into the store's window. It's consequential impact forced debri to fall across the ceiling, causing dust and water to fall on loose wiring, making most appliances in the area start to malfunction, short circuiting, resulting in an unexpected fire.
The flames spread, and kept spreading. Everything was falling apart as the unprecedented wave of misfortune got to the very entrance of the marketplace, causing the store's sign to fall right in front of a familiar, little green alien.
The sign read: Pakmar's Shop
Pakmar stared at both Rook and Tennyson as the shop began to be absorbed by the fire, they both ran from the flames, and jumped out the window. "TENNYSON!" The loudest, high pitched scream could be heard all over Undertown. Everyone in the underground city reacted. The scream to end all screams.
Intro Theme Song Starts.
Intro Theme Song Ends.
A little while after the fire, Pakmar's shop was once again in ruins, burnt down, gone, reduced to atoms. Pakmar stared at the rubble, as firefighting robots took out the flames of his fallen business.
Ben: "Mr. Pakmar, I am so sorry, I didn't mean to, I didn't- I mean, I don't- uh..." He tried to apologize, tripping in his own words due to the embarrassment.
Rook: "If I may, what I think Ben is trying to say is that he apologizes, and that it was merely an accident." He tried to deescalate the situation but it failed.
Pakmar slowly started laughing, almost maniacally, which made both of them uncomfortable. "An accident, yes, just an accident, always an accident, maybe it is you, Ben Tennyson, who is the accident!" Pakmar yelled, and Ben took his words personally, but didn't show it.
Pakmar: "Congratulations Tennyson! you have won! You have completely ruined Pakmar's business, for good! Pakmar have no more funds to recover from! You have ruined so much so many times that insurance company no longer cover me! You ruined me Tennyson! No more Pakmar Shop! No more- No more Pakmar- No more! I broke, its over! Pakmar is over!" Pakmar began sobbing, crying desperately in defeat, causing a scene.
If Ben could transform into Terraspin just to hide in his own shell, he would. He didn't know what to do, he looked around, and the crowd of spectators: aliens, people, the very firemen that weren't robots, literally everyone there, was giving him a shaming, angry stare. Everyone was baffled that the 'many times' saviour of the universe, could also be the villain of someone else's story.
Legerdomain - Hope's Cabin - Interior
A few books were settled on the table by Gwendolyn. Hope stood beside her, driven in thought. Gwen fixed her glasses and picked up one of the books.
Gwendolyn: "Ok, these should help us out, especially this one: 'The Book of Tamed Enchantment'. Let's get to reading... Page one hundred and fifty six is where they start talking about mana channeling artifacts, it says here that we need to find a rare type of gem, and that it will be a centerpiece to another item which serves as..." She stopped reading the book because Hope was holding in a laugh. "What? What's so funny?" Gwen asked.
Hope: "You're such a silly little book worm. I already know what we have to do, we don't need to study all of that, well at least I don't, I was former ruler of Ledgerdomain, Conqueror of Addwaitya, daughter of-" she got interrupted.
Gwendolyn: "Jeez, ok I get it Charms, you're a scollar in the mystic arts, you don't have to rub it in. You sound just like my cousin when he keeps bragging." She was annoyed at this side of Hope.
Hope: "I was partly joking, and yes, I joke now. Carrying on: we don't require all of these." She said as she closed the books laying on the table - "Keep that one for now, it might be useful." She walked towards the backdoor of her cabin - "It's time for your first lesson Gwen. Did you bring the Source-Root?"
Gwendolyn: "Yea- well, I think I grabbed the right thing at least." She replied while she went out of frame, coming back, carrying something with both hands. She handed Hope a long piece of a tree's branch, a sort of root, it had a dark purple highlight around it, almost unnoticeable. - "Run me through the basics, I only found two of them in Hex's collection." Gwendolyn informed.
Hope inspected the branch, and signalled Gwen to follow her. They both went outside the cabin, walking towards the little pond area.
Hope: "This is a source-root. It comes from the extremely scarce species of tree called The Tabitha. They only grow on the depths of Legerdomain. The plant life in the realm thrives through the absorption of Mana, and there's plenty of it near the void." She explained.
They both walked past the little pond area, and entered down a path surrounded by trees that looked like a blend between pine trees and bamboo.
Gwendolyn: "So It's like photosynthesis, but instead of converting the energy from light, they convert mana energy..." She said in amazement.
Hope: "Correct. The Tabitha were the most important tree species on the realm. Legend tells that they were the first manipulators of magic, able to absorb large amounts of mana, and convert that energy, manifesting life itself in Legerdomain. Their roots were used by the most powerful sorcerers to craft Staffs of Power, one of the many types of artifacts that were used for channeling mana, without affecting the caster themselves, hence the term 'source'. The Staff of Ages, for example, is one that belongs to my bloodline, it was forged using the source-root of The Tabitha." She gave the important lecture to Gwen, unintentionally losing herself in a teacher's role, a skill she didn't acknowledge yet.
They arrived at an opening, a circular area surrounded by the mystical bamboo tree hybrids. At the very center there was a grey textured, concrete foundation, and from the ground up, a dark table stood tall.
Gwendolyn: "Then why not use the Staff of Ages if all you need is a staff? Also where are we?" She looked around, inspecting the area.
Hope: "The Staff of Ages belongs to my uncle, he is the wielder until he decides to pass it on. I can no longer inherit it because I've... I've dishonored my bloodline, by betraying my own Family." She stood quiet as she laid the source-root on the table. She began to speak again - "And this, is an enchanting table. In here we forge magical items, artifacts, essentially anything we would infuse with magical properties, or in your proper terms, Mana."
Gwen couldn't help but smile, here she stood, being taught so much about Legerdomain, and Magic, from Charmcaster herself. She hold the Book of Tamed Enchantments close to her chest, with her arms wrapped around it, waiting for Hope to continue speaking.
Charmcaster turned around, and got away from the table, leaving the source-root behind.
Hope: "This glorified branch is essentially a battery, that's where the mana is stored, but a sorcerer requires another set of special artifacts, to cast the absorption. We'll need a single fragment of a Soul Gem, the one mentioned on the book, and an amulet to encase it."
Gwendolyn: "Great, where do we start?" She said smiling at Hope.
Hope: "That's... the tricky part. Soul Gems are found inside the stomachs of Legerdragons, and those are yet another rare find in the realm during these times. We'll need to find a scale-hunter that could help us."
Gwendolyn: "Woah hold on, did you just say Dragon? As in, we have to fight a dragon? A magic dragon that has a mystical gem inside their stomach?" She asked with eyes wide open, expressions still very visible in her Lucky Girl form.
Hope: "Yes?" she said, confused, due to her childish display.
Gwendolyn: "Where has all of this been my entire life, this is so amazing!" She exclaimed, she was geeking out at everything that was happening at the moment. Hope stared at her, smiling, with one eyebrow raised. Gwen composed herself - "What? I'm a sucker for all the fantasy-magic stuff ok, plus fighting another dragon looks good on my resume y'know."
Hope: "I forget you're a total nerd sometimes... Gwen, this isn't just any dragon, especially not the form I took when I went nuts. These are Legerdomain's apex predators- anyways, we're getting sidetracked here. We have to visit one of the few settlements left around to find someone who could help track one." She said as she put up her hood and her mask.
Gwendolyn: "Why the mage getup?"
Hope: "In case you have forgotten, I sold the soul of every living being in the realm, and then casually brought them back, I'm quite... infamous. Now follow me my young apprentice!" She abruptly began to walk back to the cabin area, doing a goofy swing with her cloak. Gwen tried to catch up.
Gwendolyn: "Uh, no, I am not your apprentice, also you haven't even said where we're going."
Hope: "Midrock... We're going to Midrock..." She said ominously.
They both walked to the ledge of the piece of land they were floating on. The shot zooms out revealing the endless scope of Ledgerdomain, as other pieces of rock floated by, Hope's land being the only one with flora. A roar was heard in the distance.
Earth's Orbit - Plumber Headquarters
The station floated along Earth's Orbit, as ships came and went around it as traffic. Now inside the main lobby of the base of Plumber Operations, Ben, Rook, and Pakmar were at the front desk.
Pakmar: "Pakmar demands to be compensated for the damages done to my lives work! I demand legal action taken against this foul being!" He said pointing at Ben.
Ben: "Hey!" He replied, folding his arms, offended.
Magister Patelliday: "Sir, please calm down, I am sure this is all a misunderstanding, Now I'm certain Benjamin here can explain himself in excuse of the event." They all looked at Ben, even Rook.
Ben: "Well, ah, you see... I- uhm... It was an accident! I went to lean into one of the shelves, but it just fell, I didn't even lean into it that hard! Then everything just went from zero to a hundred, and a fire started, and then-" He got cut off, Rook put his hand on his shoulder.
Rook: "If I may add a few of my own words, having been a witness. It is clear that the grocery shelves were not properly anchored unto the store's floor, which caused them to fall so easily. In addition, the store in of itself was not well maintained, it is ridiculous that mere debris could start such a fire, to the point it consumes the entire establishment. Yes, my friend did in fact cause the shelves to fall, but it was not his fault, it was an accident that was waiting to happen, whether it could have been him, or any other customer." Rook explained in a way that caught everyone by surprised.
Magister Patelliday: "That is an impressively valid point Magister Blonko, and considering you were a witness at the event, and there is, as Mr. Pakmar stated, no video evidence, since the cameras were burnt to a crisp, we'll have to go with that."
Pakmar: "But- But! What about Pakmar's Business?! What about me?! Insurance will no longer cover me! How will I provide to my wife and four hundred and eighty seven children!?"
Ben whispered - "Dang Rook, you must've been a lawyer in another life." Rook smiled and shrugged.
Magister Patelliday: "Not to worry Mr. Pakmar, if you sign here with the Plumber's Collateral Fund, I'll allow for you to be funded the adequate amount needed to help you recover your business in it's entirety. No need to sue anyone now." He said politely and in consideration for the little alien.
Pakmar stared at the paper and pen Patelliday was holding towards him. He slapped the pen away - "Pakmar don't want money! Pakmar want justice! justice for every time Tennyson has ruined me! This time may have been an accident, but for all the other occasions, he was fully accountable! Even if I take your money, Tennyson will just ruin Pakmar, AGAIN!"
Magister Patelliday: "Well, you should've filed a case when these 'countless' incidents occurred."
Pakmar: "But-" he got interrupted.
Magister Patelliday: "You want the funds or not?" Patelliday went from his default cheerful mood to a serious, annoyed expression.
Pakmar angrily grabbed a pen and the papers; He began to sign. Ben and Rook walked away from the desk, and sat near a lounge area, as other Plumber agents rested, or walked by. The desk area was still in view.
Ben: "Phew, at least everyone got a happy ending, I don't get the blame, and Pakmar gets money to rebuild his store, all in a goods day." He relaxed, sinking unto the armchair.
Rook: "I would not say it was a happy ending for everyone." He said, looking towards Pakmar.
Ben turned his head to see where Rook was currently paying attention.
Pakmar was about to cross the portal back to Earth, but before he walked into the portal, he turned around and stared at Ben and Rook. It didn't take a scientist to know that Pakmar was fully enraged. He stopped death staring them and crossed the portal, leaving the headquarters. Ben gulped.
Rook: "Now that the issue has been resolved, let us return to Earth, your training has been delayed long enough." He stood up from the armchair. Ben hesitated, but followed, reminding himself to stay motivated.
Ben: "Well, at least I got my strengths back up." He stated, confidently.
They both walked towards the portal, ready to resume their day's plans.
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Break Time - Reader's Checkpoint
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Legerdomain - Gwen and Hope's Travels
Hope lead the way as Gwen followed beside her, carrying a book, wearing Charmcaster's old bag. Both of them were in their vigilante costumes to conceal their identities.
They walked through the desolate and fragmented landscapes of Legerdomain. Strange creatures roamed about, from the air, to the ground, in the caverns. Some stalking the two sorceresses as they past by. Some sights were too surreal to process.
A colossal, blue feathered creature that resembled a whale, passed gracefully, floating by the piece of land that Hope and Gwen were standing on at the time. They both stopped to admire it. The creature had spikes running down it's back, pitch black eyes, large fins, a long sharp tail, and many tentacles hanging down from it's stomach. It used mana to propel itself through the zero gravity. It left the area quietly, as four smaller ones the size of buses followed behind.
The unpredictable gravitational states of the realm allowed them to safely jump or leap from one floating chunk of rock to the other. Flight wasn't an option, since they'd get disoriented. Each time they'd have to go across, they'd throw a rock to the void, to see if it was safe to float about. Sometimes they had to climb up, sometimes climb down, then again, did they ever really know which way was up and down, left or right, one could never be right in a land that followed no known rules of logic, let alone physics.
Gwendolyn: "Uh, Hope, couldn't you like... I don't know, teleport us to Midrock?" She asked, catching up to her.
Hope: "Can't, I haven't really been to Midrock before, only the outskirts, besides, you need to have a decent connection towards someone or at least something in the location to be able to cast a more sudden teleportation spell- well you already know that. Besides, we're already closing in on the settlement, I can sense it." She said, begining to walk uphill into a canyon's opening. Gwendolyn followed behind her.
Gwendolyn: "Hm, now that you mentioned that, I do focus in on Kevin constantly to teleport back home, and I think about you in order to get here, now that the realm isn't locked down. It's still somehow very difficult to cast... I don't like how it's not always accurate on location, unless it's a physical portal conjuration. I nearly fell into a ditch trying to get here... Hey, what do you focus on to get to Bellwood? just out of curiosity." She asked looking to continue conversation.
The question caught Hope off guard as she stopped walking for a second, only to gather herself back so that Gwen wouldn't notice - "I uh, I focus on... I focus on a little personal item I left somewhere in your town... it means a lot to me, so it helps me find my way back there." Hope explained, but Gwendolyn was not convinced.
Gwendolyn: "Oh please, I know that's not entirely true, I've never seen you stutter in your own words-" she got put to silence by Hope's hand covering her mouth abruptly.
Hope: "Quiet. We got eyes on us." She whispered, looking up at the canyon.
They stood still, waiting for signs of anything moving towards them, or around them. Silence filled the canyon's pathway, the distant echo of falling rubble, and wind, filled the ambience.
Gwen looked up and around as well. She saw a cave's entrance up on the crevices of the canyon's walls. She poked Hope, and pointed at the opening above. Hope looked up, immediately recognizing what that cave meant, goosebumps ran up her spine as she let out an expression - "Oh no..." - "What is it?" Gwen asked back, whispering.
A loud, beastly shout was released. From above, a foul creature jumped from the canyons walls, and landed near, in front of them, blocking their route. It moved side to side in a territorial display, scratching the ground, lifting dust.
Hope: "Troll!" She screamed loudly, bracing herself for a fight, moving past Gwen as if protecting her - immediately bringing out two conjured maces from her new magic bag, signaling the creature to a fight.
The Troll let out yet another roar, punching it's chest multiple times as a show of intimidation. Towering at eight feet in height, It was covered in fur around it's body, except for it's chest, belly, and face, which was incredibly wrinkled, showcasing a set of five eyes. With a mouth sharpened with teeth, two tusks on each side, pointy ears, and legs shaped like tree trunks. It charged with wild murderous intent towards it's trespassers.
Gwen summoned a shielding bubble that protected both of them, as the Troll immediately jumped on top of it and began slamming down it's fist on the shield fiercely. The two sorceresses watched it from below, in shock, one of them being more amused.
Gwendolyn: "That is so cool..." she said with a big smile, looking in awe at the beast above, nerding out at the fact that Trolls were real. Hope was frowning at her to get serious, and she quickly took notice as she stopped smiling. The Troll used a form of elemental magic to summon a frostbite from it's hands, freezing up the bubble - "Ok, literally cool." She made a pun, worried, starting to freeze because of the sudden drop in temperature.
The Troll slammed down with immense force, breaking their shield, making them fall on the ground. Hope quickly got up and charged at the beast. The creature tried to hit her, but she effectively dodged, jumping above to miss it's arm, and sliding down to miss the other, then hitting it's side with her conjured maces.
The Troll shouted in pain, reacting with a sudden swing, managing to hit Hope, throwing her to the canyons walls. She slid down as smaller rocks went along with her.
Hope laid on the floor, as she raised her head and looked at Gwen, who was still spectating in awe - "Gwendolyn! I'm pulling my punches here! Don't just stand there! Do something!" She shouted.
Gwendolyn: "I was just having fun seeing 'the master' at work." She teased but got interrupted by the Troll, which threw an ice spear next to her. It immediately ran into frame, slamming the ground where she stood. Gwen dodged, skipping to a safe distance, beginning to throw mana projectiles at it.
Hope: "The sides Gwen! Hit it's sides!" She yelled as she ran towards her to help.
The ferral mythical being swung punches in all directions, and changed it's strategy from Ice, to fire, throwing flames at both at them. The duo dodged in unison and began to overwhelm the Troll with different attacks, hitting it from both sides simultaneously, it suddenly kneeled due to the pain.
Gwen took the opportunity, she looked up and saw a fault on the canyon's wall - "Hope! Throw your mace!" She commanded, pointing up. Charmcaster looked up, saw what she meant, and threw one of her maces. Gwendolyn then used her mana abilities to push the mace towards the crevice with additional force.
The Mace hit the canyon's faulty wall like a bullet, disintegrating on impact, causing the rock formation to crack, detaching a giant mass of rock. The large portion began to fall. The sorceresses jumped to safety, as the Troll got up just too late to save itself. The collective of rocks and stones came crashing down on it, putting an end to it's rampage.
Gwen and Hope helped each other get back up. They stared at what remained of the beast, laying under the rubble. Gwendolyn let out a cheer - "Awesome teamwork! high five Charms!" She smiled and put her hand up in the air waiting for her to return the gesture.
Hope froze for a second, staring at her hand, she then realized what the gesture was and did her first high five ever.
They high fived, both smiled, but the moment of friendship was put to a temporary halt, as the Troll's corpse began to shake subtlety, bloating up, then imploding.
The Troll's body disintegrated into a dust of mana that flew up into the sky, and began to form a darkened stormy cloud. The sound of thunder was summoned.
Hope: "Oh right, forgot about that. Hurry, we have to take refuge!" She grabbed Gwen's arm and pulled her up to the cave.
They both flew inside the Troll's cave, as pink colored rain began to fall from the sky, burning on the ground, causing flowers and grass to slowly spawn where it poured. Lightning fell, and alongside it, the loudness of thunder filled the canyon.
Inspector 13's Facility - Desert - Earth
A decently sized starship settles down at a landing platform that connects to the back entrance of the ever expanding facility. It was Vulkanus' ship. The bay doors open, revealing a cargo hold. Vulkanus walked down to the platform as prototype excavation robots, bigger than him, began to walk up to the ship. He was picking up a second batch of the product he was promised.
Down on the platform, Inspector 13 awaited Vulkanus. The place was filled with the Detrovite's minions, operating machines, computers, and some helping bring up cargo to his ship. Vulkanus walked up to Inspector 13.
Vulkanus: "How's the business going along Thirteen?"
Thirteen: "The correct name is 'Inspector' Thirteen, Vulkanus. Operations are at maximum efficiency. Our united efforts have proven to be... impressively effective, as we were proposed by Psyphon. I am most pleased... I suppose you are too?" He asked, returning to a more friendly tone, quite odd for his persona, putting an effort to communicate better with his associate.
Vulkanus: "Pleased doesn't even describe it, I am one ton of tayden happiness! These machines you've built, they're a true marvel, I don't know how you two do it. I've never had this much luck harvesting Taydenite in my entire life." He expressed. Thirteen was satisfied with his feedback. Vulkanus continued - "I think this will be the last batch I'll need for now." He shared his appreciation, looking at the last robot that entered his ship.
Thirteen: "I would have to return the gratitude. Your minions have proven to be a great service in this facility, for a biological work force that is."
Vulkanus: "Uh, yea, you're welcome." He didn't know if he was complimenting or insulting, but he replied regardless - "Hey, where's the boss at? I thought we had to have a meeting." The very moment he asked for Psyphon's whereabouts, he came out of the Facility, walking down the catwalk that connected the main building with the platform. He was holding a Holo-pad.
Psyphon: "We just got a big client! Come look at this!" He gave a devilish grin. Vulkanus and Thirteen looked at each other, and then went towards Psyphon. The three of them met up at the catwalk.
Psyphon: "Oh, and greetings Vulkanus, it's good to see you here with us. Before any formal conversations proceed. We have a very... Interesting new client. Take a look." He passed the Holo-pad to Thirteen; he began to read.
Thirteen: "Larquonian cyberware and mounted armor..." He read casually.
Psyphon: "Keep reading..." He stated in anticipation, still sporting a devilish smile.
Vulkanus: "Taydenite based Tech-Inhibitor..." The towering Detrovite read out loud, pointing at the screen, almost knocking it out of Inspector 13's hands, earning him a stern glare from the former Weapons Master.
Thirteen: "I have read the description, and the selected target. Do we really want to risk involving ourselves with this request? The client has already sent down-payment."
Psyphon: "Business is business, and besides, it's none disclosure, we're off the radar. Vulkanus, got any Taydenite with you?"
Vulkanus: "Hah! Hahahaha! Did you really have to ask?" He brought out a controller, pressed on a button, and a hatched opened up from his ship, lowering a set of crates, presumably filled with the valuable mineral.
Psyphon: "Splendid. Let's get to work. We still have that meeting on schedule." He said with a grin. The three of them went inside the facility. Suddenly, a Condor picked up and kidnapped one of the pickaxe aliens, as the others stared helplessly.
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Break Time - Reader's Checkpoint
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Ledgerdomain - Canyon - Troll's Cave
Hope and Gwendolyn took refuge inside the Trolls' cave. Gwen conjured up a fireplace, since temperatures dropped a little inside the cavern. They both sat nearby the fire, facing one another on opposite ends. Gwen looked outside at the cave's opening, seeing the purple-pink colored rain falling, making grass grow from the soil. The silence was cut short.
Hope: "When a Troll is slain, it's elemental essence is returned back into the environment, but the sudden expulsion creates a small, localized storm, filled with mana energy. The rain heals the broken, but harms the living... It'll end in thirty, maybe forty minutes." She said, grabbing Gwen's attention.
She quickly noticed Gwen began to smile at her weirdly again, she had done this before, but now it was making her uncomfortable - "Could you stop looking at me with those puppy eyes?" She frowned.
Gwendolyn: "Oh, I'm sorry, It's just... I have to say it; you would make an amazing teacher of the mystic arts, Hope." She suggested. "Have you ever thought about pursuing that? Y'know, teaching others. You seem so passionate when you explain things." Gwen was attempting to continue to fill Hope with purpose, to steer her down the good path. Charmcaster was taken aback by the sudden compliment.
Hope: "Oh- I... I really appreciate that Gwen, but me? A teacher? I'm not sure... I don't think I'd have the patience."
Gwendolyn: "Well, I'm very sure, you've proven that to me. Your uncle gives the best classes at Friedkin University, they're my favorite actually. I can see you being a professor too, you've studied and practiced your craft your whole life. Every time you speak, I learn something new, I'm sure anyone would too." She complimented her. Hope smiled, a sight that was becoming more common.
Hope: "Oh you, stop flattering me. I'll admit... It is a good idea for once. I'll have to give it a lot of thought." She began to stare at the flames.
Gwen smiled, and joined her action, looking at the fire. Both of them remained silent for awhile. For the first time, it was Hope who pursued conversation.
Hope: "So... how are things between you and Kevin?" She asked, stunning Gwen with the question, more so the fact that she was the one looking to talk about anything.
Gwendolyn: "Everything is just... more than amazing. I really won the lottery with Kevin, both emotionally and literally. Ever since he got that Taydenite car from Khoros, he scraps it every now and then for profit. We basically don't have to worry about finances. We agreed not to go on a money craze, take things slowly, live out life normally, and finish college... We got an apartment that we're living in together now- I mean- things are very serious. At this point I'm waiting for the day he asks the big question. Then again, we're still pretty young for that." She said cheerfully, feeling happy to be able to talk about more personal matters with Hope.
Hope: "You've got yourself a good man, Gwendolyn. He's very lucky to have you." she said, genuinely.
Her sudden words touched Gwen, she hadn't seen this side of her before: happy, sympathetic, honest, and driven by benevolence so far; It was actually very uncanny to be receiving compliments from her, let alone talking about such things.
Hope continued after a pause - "I must bore you with my apologies at this point, but, I am deeply sorry for what I did to you and Kevin back then, that was... Horrible." She apologized suddenly.
Gwendolyn: "Agh, Charms, it's fine, you don't have to bring that up. Let bygones be bygones. You're my friend now." She said, dragging herself to sit next to her.
Hope: "Bygones be Bygones." She said looking at the fire again. They went quiet for a few seconds again, but Gwen recovered the conversation.
Gwendolyn: "So what about you- I mean, I hope it's not too soon to ask, but, any luck with the boys? Got any secret admirers?" She asked, joking with the last question.
Hope: "Hah... No, not really focusing on that. I'm sure there's admirers around... But I'm not keen on sharing that side of my life. I've never had much luck on that department." She was reluctant on adding more to the answer.
Gwendolyn: "Hmmm... I don't know Charms, you got the weeny little lovey eyes, you sure there's no one?" She was intentionally annoying her. Gwen got playfully shoved back by Hope, since she was getting too close to her.
Hope: "We may now be friends, but by the gods are you still as annoying."
Gwen laughed at her words, still waiting for her response, staring at her with a mocking expression.
Hope: "Ok, fine, there's a guy that I know for sure has a thing for me, but they like 'The Mage' not me. They'd change their mind quite fast the moment they know who I truly am, and besides, he's slightly younger."
Gwendolyn: "Hope, hellooo, you are 'The Mage', same person, and what's there not to like? I'm sure once they know you for you, you'll 'Charm' them." She slipped a laugh at that last part.
Hope: "I'm going to completely ignore every attempt at a 'joke' you make from now on... Also, like I said, I'm not really focusing on that right now. I mean, this guy... he's alright, he's not really my type, but then again... my last 'type' was a leech, so I shouldn't be picky." she continued to ramble as Gwen payed attention, with one eyebrow raised - "He's... a contender, let's leave it at that. They'd be compatible for my lifestyle, as crazy as it is." She dwelled too much on it.
Gwendolyn: "Pfft, so much for 'not focusing on that', you're already doing the math. Wonder who the lucky mystery guy is." She poked.
Hope: "Well, I already spoke too much on it. I'll leave it at that."
Gwendolyn: "I can respect that, I won't be nosy. Let's uh, change the subject-" she got quickly cut off by Hope with a surprising question.
Hope: "So how's Benjamin- Oh sorry you were still talking."
Gwendolyn: "Oh no, it's ok... but yea, Ben's alright, last time we talked he was hunting you down to figure out who you were and 'recruit' you to his team, it's pretty adorable, he really misses the days it was just me, Kevin, and him out there as a team, he wants a third wheel running alongside him and Rook; Speaking of Rook, I texted with him yesterday and apparently he's training Ben for fitness and combat. Ben's surprisingly gone all serious about things and wants to set new goals for himself." She rambled.
Hope: "That's unexpected, even for Ben." She showcased an intrigued smirk on her face, which Gwen took note of. She continued - "Ah, and I know about the whole 'recruitment' thing, trust me, he's tried to get me to tag along permanently every few times we've teamed up. It's a very enticing proposal, but obviously, he doesn't know who I am yet. Pretty sure that invitation would be dropped if he did."
Gwendolyn: "Uh huh..." Gwen replied vaguely, staring at Hope, with an analytical expression on her face.
Hope: "What?" She asked confused.
Gwendolyn: "You called him Benjamin, that's new."
Hope: "Oh, uh, new habit I suppose, considering we're not enemies anymore." She pretended to joke awkwardly.
Gwendolyn: "Yeah, I suppose..." she looked forward, hiding a smirk, as if she had just figured something out, but she continued the topic - "But yea... it was about time Ben started changing his attitude. He definitely has a bright future but he's been tripping ever since he went back to being a doofus a year ago. Never understood why he backtracked, but I knew he'd man up eventually." She ranted on Ben's behavior during the year.
Hope: "Your cousin is a great person, a real hero, I've learned to see that now through clarity. Sure he's a questionable goofball most of the time, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's acted like a clown to bottle up his problems, I know I would..." She looked down at the flames - "With all that power he has... I'm one to judge, but if I had that power, alongside my sanity... I'd rebuild Zoroaster with my bare hands. That was one of my intentions with the Alpha Rune, till I lost control..." She looked at Gwendolyn.
Gwen looked away, like she was hiding something. Hope noticed - "You sent the Alpha Rune away, didn't you?" Hope asked, Gwen faced her - "I did. It's not worth keeping. Let's not find any excuses to speak of it..." She replied.
Hope: "Gwendolyn... the Alpha Rune might be the only way I could restore my home and bring order to Legerdomain. Maybe... Maybe if we could find a way to tame it's power, without physically using it ourselves, we could finally summon it's abilities to aid us. We could do it together Gwen." She suggested, like an addict trying to find a morally acceptable excuse to get their fix.
Gwendolyn: "Don't backtrack on me Charms. You know we can't do that... I've sent the Alpha Rune away, for everyone's sake, and yours. I'm sorry." She said with a very serious tone on her voice.
Charmcaster clenched her fists in anger, suddenly feeling overwhelmed by compulsion. She found a way to calm herself, and sighed.
Hope: "You're right... forgive me... I'm just- I'm just chasing my own fantasies." They both stared at the campfire one last time.
"Maybe I am too..." Gwen whispered to herself, worrying that Hope could ultimately still fall back to the Alpha Rune's call, ruining everything.
Perhaps she had a point, maybe together, they could find a way to use it to fulfill her plans to rebuild her home. She would have to meditate on it.
Earth - Bellwood - Hidden Lakeside
We find ourselves in a secluded area of Bellwood's Lakeside, where people usually don't visit. Ben was going through an obstacle course that Rook had made overnight. He ran, dodging incoming contraptions, punching targets, and then got to a ledge, went through monkey bars, midway through he lost his grip, let out a scream and fell down unto the lake below. Rook stood at the shore, watching him recover himself and walk towards him.
Rook: "That was better than the last three attempts. Let us not drag on, try again Ben."
Ben: "Ugh! Rook, I'm tired man, can't we like- I don't know, take a break? How are you not tired? Actually, how did you even build this in one night?!" He asked many questions.
Rook: "I am not tired because I am used to this, a skill that you will develop once you stop whining. Secondly, I did not build this course myself. This is a Plumber issue mobile training course. It is set to the easiest difficulty, for recruits. It folds itself back into a portable casing that fits in the Proto-truck, now, no more questions agent! Get to it!" He was having fun pushing Ben around, acting like his superior, which technically, he was, in proper ranking.
Ben: "Sir yes sir..." He replied in a sluggish manner.
Ben tried the course again, and again, and again. The hero fell to the water many times, as Rook's words echoed on repeat - "Again." He was almost about to give up, until, finally, he got to the end of it.
Ben: "Wait... Did I do it?" - Rook nodded, smiling - "Yes! Yes! Finally! I did it!" He said, kneeling on the floor, resting.
Rook: "Now for level two!" He pressed a button on a pad.
The entire course started morphing itself into a new lineup, twisting mechanically, and setting itself up. When it ended, it showcased a course far more difficult than the first one. Ben stared, showcasing defeat.
Ben: "Nah ah, nope, I'm done Rook, that's it for today!" He shouted, angrily.
Rook: "Do not be such a baby, Ben! This is level two, you can do it. We still have an hour left before Combat training." He shouted back.
Ben was tired, he didn't anticipate this to be as hard as it was on his mind. He quickly changed his mood, begining to smile mischievously.
Ben: "I can make that one minute!" He looked at the Omnitrix, dialed it up, looked for the right alien, and slammed on it. He transformed himself into a recognizable blue ape - "Spidermonkey!" He yelled out, making monkey sounds right after.
He immediately began to go through the course with swift ease and efficiency, already making it halfway through, dodging obstacles and leaping across, using his webs to swing around. Rook folded his arms and frowned at him.
Rook: "Ben, you are supposed to be training yourself! Not your alien forms!" He scolded. Ben didn't listen, he got from one end of the course and decided to be cocky and go back to the other end, doing the same course twice.
Rook let out a sigh - "Why do I even bother..." He was cut short by the sound of jetpacks closing in from a distance. He looked around, then up, and saw incoming trouble.
It was SixSix, EightEight, and SevenSeven. They closed in quickly, as they launched rockets at the course, destroying it. The loud shrieking scream of Spidermonkey being heard, as the blinding fire was spawned from the wreckage.
Rook: "Ben!" He yelled out, covering his line of sight. Spidermonkey quickly rose up from the water, giving a thumbs up.
Ben: "Looks like combat training is here early! hoo hoo ha!" he exclaimed.
Rook quickly went to run towards the Proto-truck to get his suit and proto-tool, as the three bounty hunters circled around for another attack.
Ben: "They're circling back!" he yelled at Rook whilst preparing for their second run.
A powerful beam sliced the Proto-truck in half, and a second after, the beloved vehicle went into flames. The explosion pushed Rook back, throwing him to the ground, staring at the remains.
Rook: "Sweet Amber Ogia! My truck!" He yelled out in horror. He looked at the source of the laser, and there they stood, the Vreedle Brothers.
From another end, many more bounty hunters appeared: Rojo, Thunderpig, and Kraab, came out of hiding. Rook was caught off guard - "This is not looking good..." he expressed, as SixSix flew towards him and shot a net, trapping him inside of it, like a cocoon. The three mutated Sotoraggian bounty hunters landed.
Ben: "Rook!" Spidermonkey tried to run towards his partner, but he realized he was surrounded.
All the hunters circled Spidermonkey. The Vreedles broke the suspense.
Octagon: "Well boy, it seems ya gone up and pissed someone off enough to put a sizeable and lucrative bounty on your head, but don't worry they want you alive."
Kraab: "Be quiet you despicable tank rat! He doesn't need to know that!" He yelled aggressively.
Rhomboid: "Please excuse mah brother, he's got a thing for them unnecessary expositions."
Ben: "Hah, and you guys were the best they could send? Please, I've beaten you all before, you just made-" he touched the Omnitrix's dial and transformed from Spidermonkey into a different alien - "A Humongous Mistake..." He transformed into Humungousaur. There was a slight standoff before anyone could make a move.
All the bounty hunters started attacking at once in a team effort to split the bounty. Humungousaur managed to slap EightEight out of the sky while receiving incoming fire from both SevenSeven and SixSix.
The Vreedles, alongside Rojo, ran together, firing at Ben with a variation of weapons. Humungousaur was being bombarded, as he tried shielding himself, taking the damage on his arm. He whipped his tail, smacking down the three of them. He quickly grabbed both SixSix and SevenSeven off the air, and slapped them against one another, knocking them out temporarily.
Suddenly he felt something climbing up his back. Thunderpig got to the top of his head, and heavily slammed him with a infinitum based Hammer. It hurt him hard, making him tumble. Humungousaur grabbed Thunderpig, and he let out a squeal, while being thrown off.
Ben suddenly transformed into Rath and squared up against Thunderpig - "Let me tell you something you oversized piece of bacon! Wrath is gonna turn you into a Chili Fry Special!" He went running at him, as they both got into a brawl, fist fighting. Rath quickly won when he stole Thunderpig's own hammer and hit him on the head, making them even. "Yeah! That's what that feels like, Piglet!" He yelled at the unconscious Bounty Hunter.
SixSix woke up from his pain induced slumber. he came into frame, flying slightly above, launching fire from his flame thrower, unto the ground, trapping Rath inside. The Vreedles and Rojo surrounded the fire formation, taking aim at Ben.
Kraab finally came in to participate, he launched a wire that wrapped around Rath's body, making him fall to the ground - "Classic move, mister! But I can go classic too!" Rath yelled, as he transformed into another alien, a Galvan jumps from a gap between the fire.
Grey Matter begins to climb on Kraab, unsuspected. The bounty hunter immediately notices, trying to stop the Galvan, entering a panic.
Kraab: "No, No, No! Not again! Not again! Get off me!" He yelled out as the other Bounty Hunters tried to get a shot at the Galvan.
Rojo: "Hold Still!"
Rhomboid: "Darn it I can't get the shot!"
Octagon: "Yea, that ain't new." He said replying to Rhomboid.
Grey Matter quickly broke Kraab's essential wirings. The old hunter came tumbling down, offline.
Ben: "That must be a new record!" Grey Matter bragged. He then transformed himself into Gravattack, shocking the rest of the band of hunters.
Ben: "Alright, no more playing around." He lifted his arms straight forward, using his gravitational abilities, causing them all to fall into the floor - "Someone better start talking or I'll- AAAAGHHH!" He began to scream in pain, being completely electrified, continuously.
The Bounty Hunters began to recover themselves, as the G's were lifted. They looked behind Gravattack. It was EightEight, carrying one of the Vreedles Brothers weapons - "Hey! That's one of ours!" Rhomboid exclaimed.
Octagon: "Shut it Rhomboid! Fellas, set weapons to stun!" As he shouted, they all began to shoot at Ben with shock-rays.
Thunderpig began to recover from being unconscious and saw that the team was winning. For nearly ten seconds, Ben was left frozen in a wave of pain, trying to stay afoot against the wave of electricity being plunged into him, but he inevitably lost, being put down, near unconscious.
Gravattack laid on the ground, as his body transformed back to normal. Ben's overconfidence set him up for an unexpected defeat. He groaned in pain as he took one last look where Rook was trapped in, before shutting his eyes.
The Bounty Hunters were successful.
Rhomboid: "Hoo wee, we actually did it!" the Vreedle celebrated.
Rojo: "We... we just took down Tennyson, 'The' Ben Tennyson..." she stared at the Hero's unconscious body.
Octagon: "Well we've done that ourselves a couple times before, but sure I suppose..."
Thunderpig: "What I miss..." he walked towards the group, caressing his bonked head.
Rhomboid: "Everything."
Rojo: "Alright! let's go get us that money. Take advantage of them being shut eye, drop them off at the client's requested location."
Octagon: "What should we do about Tin Can over there?" He asked, pointing at the deactivated Kraab.
SevenSeven, EightEight, and SixSix walked towards the group to talk as well. EightEight began to speak in their unintelligible language, but some could understand them.
Octagon: "That's pretty cold there sister, but if you insist, me and Rhomboid can take his cut, so we don't have to split it between us. We are what you may call, in dept."
Rojo: "Sounds fair to me. Now let's get going, sack the boy and roll out, I got bills to pay too!"
Octagon and Rhomboid: "Yes ma'am!"
They both put Ben inside a large, dark bag that faded visibility to pitch black.
To be Continued...
Credits Start Rolling
Credits End