A/N: I recently created a Discord
(https/discord.gg/8dgkXmZ7q7) feel free to join and let's talk everything Ben 10 or something else. Thanks to a guest for suggesting this
Onwards!
Chapter 16
Epilogue
The scene around the Plumber's HQ was bustling with recovery crafts and carriers, surveyors and response personnel in varying levels of activity around the wreckage. Rescues were being undertaken, useful tech salvaged and structural damage assessed in scrutinous reports. While the day had been won, many were tragically lost in the defense of the Plumber base.
Several of the perpetrators were taken away most of them in the same states as the survivors. Vulcanus, of course, was nowhere to be found, his now dormant armor left behind as the Detrovite made his escape.
"Quite a mess, if ah do say so mahself", Magister Patelliday drawled grimly, his trademark lassez-faire approach to most situations largely missing, concern plastered over his bespectacled face.
"Patelliday...", Max gave a wan smile as he looked up to see his old friend. A slight grunt accompanied his pained movements as he rose from the stretcher to greet the Magister
"Glad to see ya in once piece, partner", the Pisciss Volann plumber greeted Max warmly. His unblinking purple eyes, a common trait for his species , surveyed the scene as he stood cross armed as numerous casualties were ferried from the wreckage; majority of them in body bags.
Such were the occupational hazards of the clandestine peace-keeping corps: some never returned back from the line of duty. Patelliday had seen his fair share of life-threatening situations himself - being less confident, more fussy and anxious, getting dragged into adventures where he was in over his head, having to develop a tougher skin and deposition in order to survive and eventually rise up the ranks.
"So what's this I hear about you un-retirin'?", Patelliday asked, "seems to me like you got yerself in quite a pickle back there. Ya holding up okay?"
"I'll be fine", Max merely chuckled in response, gesturing to his sling "Gotta keep these old bones kicking somehow, am I right?".
Patelliday took a seat beside his old friend, the soft hiss of his Plumber suit's water-circulation systems accompanying his measured movements. His prominent lure glowed softly, partially illuminating the cool evening air, allowing him a better look at his battle-weary companion.
Maxwell Tennyson had a league of achievements and decorations under his belt, widely regarded as the greatest Plumber the Milky Way Galaxy ever produced. And the first of his kind. Yet it seemed age did little in slowing the fight in him. Whilst others sought to avoid the dangers within their line of work, the Ex-Magister seemed to pursue it, even yearned for it. The aquatic plumber couldn't say the same for himself. In his early years he'd yearned for the relative safety away from the field.
"Ahll say! Can't let yerself get rusty nowadays!", the Magister gave a toothy grin, his maw widening to show off a terrifying array of teeth. A bout of comfortable silence reigned as the two turned back to survey the scene, surrounded by the clamouring of personnel and the mechanized buzzing of excavation machines.
"Ah just got reassigned today", Patelliday broke the silence, "the brass thought it'll be a swell idea to have another Magister stationed over Earth's system".
Max's brow furrowed in thought, "Figures, with all we've had to deal with today...". His comment trailed off as he gestured to the news reports and chatter from officials on sight.
Undertown. The Attacks on Plumber Bases. Cosmic Alien Artefacts. Invasions from Ancient Galactic exterminators It seemed they were all just the beginning, of what Max wasn't sure.
"Not just today", the Pisciss Volann pointed, "we've been gettin' more reports all over the galaxy, Max", Patelliday's curled a finger under his scally jaw, " a'lotta buzz going on the channels. Most of 'em classified. Entire planets getting hit, Plumber bases getting wiped out, no survivors. Nasty business, that. The brass are getting a little uncomfortable in their britches, need some kinda reassurance that everything's under control"
The Veteran nodded, his features strewn in worry. He'd gotten similar reports, both from the Intelligence gathered on Earth, to even the distress calls from the intergalactic bases off world. Something was indeed brewing, and it seemed the Plumber's were smack in the middle as always.
"And I'm guessing they also plan to keep an extra eye on my grandson?", the gray-haired veteran queried, "and his new team?".
Of course, Max wasn't blind to the aftermath of the New York Battle, and its repercussions. Not many planets could boast of taking on an intergalactic exterminator race and survive. Much less actually win.
Suffice to say, more eyes would be on earth following the events of that day.
"More or less", Patelliday shrugged, "personally, ah prefer not to get mixed up in trouble like that". No point trying to hide the obvious, especially around Maxwell Tennyson.
"Guess were gonna need all the help we can", Max nodded as he motioned for his friend to lift him up. Patelliday gently hoisted up the formerly retired Magister before throwing a mock salute.
"Second-in-command, Magister Patelliday, reporting fer duty!"
Loki groaned as he dragged his battered body up the counter pausing to take a harsh breath, leaning awkwardly next to the ruined upholstery. He hadn't taken this much punishment since Asgard, under the old one-eyed fool he'd come to despise.
A shrill whistle snapped him out of his thoughts, forcing him to instinctively snap his gaze forwards.
"Hi!", a familiar voice called out. "Remember us?"
The Shapeshifter towered over him, arms akimbo. And not just him, but his merry band of so called heroes. Including his witless oaf of a brother. Loki was surrounded, suffice to say this was not a situation he could slip out of.
Of course, he did not need to. He'd completed his purpose, the event leading up to the Invasion merely a means to an end: the Final Conquest with the fate of the universe at stake.
This, it seemed, was Loki's greatest misdirection. All the pieces were now in place, the final setting for the War to come. The pawns were set, and the match was about to begin.
Still, he couldn't help but be impressed by them, mortals often did have a way to surprise and amuse him. He supposed this was part of what made them so fun to break. Who knows, maybe he'd stick around for the fireworks, laugh at their feeble efforts to alter the paths of fate set before them.
"If its all the same to you...", the Trickster chuckled shakily, darkened eyes darting from hero to hero.
"... I think I'd like that drink now"
The only response was a warning, guttural growl from the Jade Giant.
"Director Fury, I don't believe you fully grasp the consequences of your actions here", the meeting room pulsed with tension as Nick Fury addressed the World Council via the field of Holo-Screens corraling his command platform.
The eyepatch man was unfazed, arms folded as he stared at the screen impassively.
"Councilman, I've been aware of the consequences well before I assembled my team. And I think the results speak for themselves"
"The results notwithstanding", the obscured visage cut in, "you've just unleashed the most dangerous people on earth and you have no idea of their whereabouts. Nor the Tessaract"
"I'd say they've earned their leave of absence", Nick pointed out, his lone eye unblinking, "and don't worry about the Tessaract. It's safe, far away from our reach"
As it should be, the Director's words were left hanging, unsaid.
"That's not your call to make"
"Didn't make it, just found it hard to argue with the god that did".
"And the war criminal Loki? Will he not be answering for his crime?", the Councilwoman inquired.
"Oh, I think he will be", Fury assured.
"What about your special asset? The Level 10 threat?", she pressed on as she flipped through her files, "the reports have been...unbelievable to say the least"
"Well considering we've got aliens and demigods running around..."
"I suppose unbelievable would be an understatement, all things considered. Especially some of the...vivid reports surrounding the Hellicarrier according to the personnel on board. All had one thing in common: they were centered around one Benjamin Kirby Tennyson"
Nick merely held his tongue, leaving a pregnant pause in the wake of the councilwoman's interrogations. He was smart enough to know when someone was fishing for something, and when not to take the bait.
"Director, did you really think you could hide him from us forever?", the woman's tone was cold, tacticurn.
Damn politicians and their nosiness.
"Well? Nothing to say?"
Nick shifted slightly before continuing, "I made that call and I stand by it. Tennyson's a...unique asset, but he's my asset. I brought him in with the full confidence that he'd get the job done, suffice to say he didn't disappoint. The team works, Councilman, and it works in part due to his presence. He may look young, but he's got more experience than half the people I've worked with"
"Yes, we've all seen the files, Director", the Councilman cut in, "but aren't we putting the cart before the horse? He may be effective to a degree, but can he be trusted? Failing that, can he be controlled if things go south?"
"Councilman, he's the one we'd call when things go south"
"Are we to believe that you knowingly brought in such a dangerous and unpredictable target? This...Tennyson?", a bespectacled figure spoke up
"Especially one so young?", queried another figure, "are we leaving the security of the entire planet to a teenager?"
"Perhaps we overestimated your judgement, Director"
"That teenager", Nick bit at the word with venom in his tone, "is still very much an Avenger, who's also capable of things beyond any known scale. Much more than any other member on the team. It would be in your best interest, Councilwoman, if we keep on his good side. And more importantly, keep him close. Same goes for all of them"
"Are you saying they can't be handled? Am I to understand that the Tessaract should be kept out of our hands but a teenager can run amuck with unprecedented levels of power?"
"With all due respect, Councilwoman, you don't know my team like I do. No one does. They can, of course be handled. However: No one handles them but me. "
"Seems like a rather risky gamble, Director"
"Already did that bringing em in", Nick countered, his one good eye fixed in a hardened stare. There was no hint of hesitation, no compromise in his tone.
"We're no longer dealing with political ramblings and domestic terrorists, Senator. We are at war. With forces beyond any comprehension. New York already proved that. And every war needs warriors. That's why, against our better judgment, we need the Avengers"
The onslaught relented as the board fell silent.
"The forces you've unleashed...these Avengers...they're dangerous Director Fury"
"Exactly, Councilman. Now the world knows it. And Every. World. Knows it. A necessary complication for sure, but the Avengers are the Earth's answer for anything else that comes knocking through"
A heavy silence followed, smothering the room in its deafening grip.
"We'll be in touch, Director"
The screens flickered to sleep as the Director cut the communication, having grown weary of their interactions. He'd no illusions about the World Council, their discussion wasn't the end of the matter. But as far as Fury was concerned, he'd bigger fish to fry at the moment.
The world had entered a new age, an age of heroes. And also monsters. He was going to have his hands full, dealing with both. No rest for the wicked, so the saying went. He wasn't the Director for no reason after all.
Time to get to work.
Following the aftermath of the Battle of New York, the world had been rocked off its hinges. News outlets, social forums, all media had been swamped nonstop by discussions surrounding the events of the Battle, as well as the effects brought on by the aftermath.
Public reaction was largely positive, from eyewitnesses gushing with thanks on interviews, to entire social media boards dedicated to breaking down every frame of battle footage available.
Graffiti, Posters, Fan appreciation of all kind flooded the internet. Posts, videos and images all expressing gratitude and wide eyed admiration from the populace.
Of course, there were the dissenters, those who could only see the negative aspects of the aftermath. Lives were lost, and the city of New York suffered heavily as it laid in ruins, buried under the remnants of the invaders.
"Are you saying that the Avengers are to blame for the destruction, Senator
"New York is in ruins, this was their fight, why aren't they here now? Where are the Avengers?"
"Senator Harangue..."
"Someone has to hold them accountable for their actions!"
"Thank you for your contributions, Senator, but I'm afraid our time's been spent. In other news, a full scale rebuild of the city of New York has been mounted by the government..."
"Agent Coulson", Mariah Hill levelled a cold glare at the man she'd summoned to the command center, "know why I've called you here?"
"Uhhh...I believe I do, ma'am", Coulson straightened as he addressed Fury's second-in-command. He wasn't a fool, he knew his previous actions during the Invasion would definitely come with repercussions of some sort.
Repercussions he was fully prepared to accept regardless. Phil folded his arms, straightened his posture and braced for the incoming storm.
"You have a lot to answer for", Hill clasped her hands on her desk as she regarded the older man, "we had unauthorised deployment of SHIELD carriers to a civilian populace.."
"...who needed the help at the time", Coulson butted in. The woman raised an eyebrow at his interjection, which Phil merely took in strife.
"...notwithstanding the situation, was a clear breach of protocol", Maria levelled a steely gaze at the man. "Not to mention, not in our jurisdiction. We have rules for a reason!"
Coulson coolly returned her gaze, "Our jurisdiction, ma'am, is to serve as a last line of defense for humanity against all threats, both from our world and any other"
"We're dealing with a group of individuals with power surpassing that of entire world armies, Agent Coulson. Without any form of order, we're no better than the other side"
"The situation required intervention, Hill"
"Did it now?", she snapped, her intense gaze meeting his cool demeanor, "last I checked, they have a teenager who controls time, Agent Coulson"
"Tennyson.." The Agent shook his head, "...Ben might be capable, but still..."
"Still what? A kid wielding power beyond his comprehension? Aren't they all? Disasters waiting to happen? Is that why they needed you to come clean up their mess?", Maria's voice rose an octave.
Her fears concerning the situation had fully come to reality in the recent New York debacle: the wave of destruction and chaos all emanating from the boiling pot of the heroes and their exploits. No accountability or oversight, just individuals who answered to themselves. She for one, wasn't going to place her security in anyone's hands but her own.
"... I made the call, I knew the consequences", Phil finally answered, the bout of oppressive silence finally broken.
"Oh there will be consequences, I can assure you. In the meantime, you have a new assignment", she slid a folder across the desk to him, the words "Classified" emblazoned broadly on the covers.
"...Is that?"
"Your next assignment", Maria finished for him, "Partly Fury's idea. Instead of official action, you'll be on a new team, with new orders"
Confusion dotted his feature as he picked up the folder. Leafing through its contents, his eyes scanned through the litter of corporate jargon before a curious detail caught his eye.
"The Eagle Eye Initiative? Sounds pretty ominous, if you don't mind my saying", his eyes flitted back and forth between the agent before him and the contents of the files.
"I'm not here to discuss mission naming conventions", she clipped, "You have your new orders, Coulson",
"What, to spy on the Avengers? Become some kind of government Big Brother? Was this your plan all along? Use me against them? ", Phil grew more incredulous by the minute. If the files were anything to go by, he was essentially playing double agent between SHIELD, the Avengers and even the Plumbers.
"For starters, I didn't sign off on it, if that's what you're insinuating", Maria folded her arms, "this is the top brass talking. Even Fury's hands are tied. For better or worse, the Avengers are now our top priority and we have to keep tabs on them. By any means necessary"
"They're people, Hill. Civilians"
"One of them is a literal Thunder-deity, another a gamma giant who's been on SHIELD's radar for a long-ass time. And let's not forget the shape-shifting alien-kid. If any of them goes rogue, or get compromised in any way..."
Phil shook his head, still reeling in disbelief. "Is this really the thanks they get? They risked their lives for Heaven's sake! "
"As well as the lives of the unlucky ones caught in the crossfire. Isn't that what we do? Clean up after them? That's why Eagle eye exists, Coulston, we have to ensure there isn't a bigger mess ahead of us the next time something pops out of the sky". Their last few run-ins with other enhanced individuals notwithstanding, SHIELD needed to maintain the one thing the agency had prided itself on: Control.
Maria passively watched as the folders slapped down the table by a frustrated Coulson. Reluctance and disapproval clouded his features, and if she wasn't mistaken, a subtle hint of disdain. Maybe she could try another angle, employ some level of diplomacy in the conversation.
"Look," she placated, "If it wasn't you, it'll be someone one else. At least this way we can have the best guy taking the lead on this operation and you get to remain close to them. We can at the very least agree on that, can't we?".
At the very least, she could see a middle ground of sorts. Stoic skepticism aside, her ability to see things from a purely logical standpoint was the sole reason she was still standing today, and not just a name and a medal on some underground memorial. When dealing with the unknown, bright-eyed skepticism often dug one's grave faster than they'd realize.
Phil sighed defeatedly, shoulders sinking like a deflated blimp as he let out a long breath. Some things he couldn't escape, despite being snatched away from literal death. Goddamn beaurocracy, the dust had barely settled and they already began their usual bout of backdoor plotting and enforcing new protocols.
Maria was right about one thing. If it wasn't him, it would be someone else. Someone with less-than-genuine intentions. Barring that, he already wagered that Hill had other protocols in place to keep him in line, not to mention complete surveillance over both him and the team.
The Spy life was often one of compromise and difficult decisions. Not every decision could even be considered good, in any moral sense. And even fewer ending pleasantly for all parties.
"When do I start?"
There would always be hell to pay.
The scene within the restaurant was a bizzare one.
With the looming threat gone and the chaos in the streets abated, workers dutifully cleared up debris within the apocalypse-adjacent eatery. The battle weary Avengers sat around a large table, covered with a spread of food wrappers and discarded soda cups
"Wow guysh! Dish eesh aweshome", Ben munched through his meal, drawing the ire of the redhead beside him.
"Don't talk with your mouth full!", Natasha reprimanded, nursing a soda in one hand and a throbbing headache in another.
"Okay, mom," the teen rolled his eyes as he reached for another napkin. He received a deadpan glare from the redhead before sticking his tongue in mock-annoyance. She recoiled with a faux gasp at his display, although she couldn't completely hide the half smile creeping on her face at his juvenile antics.
"Probably should be thankful kiddo, she's never this soft on anyone" Clint snarked, nursing his head with a pack of ice so graciously provided by the staff, "one time I got shot during an OP and all she could say was you'll live, right before dragging my ass out through a small army's worth of gunfire"
"Well, you did", the bemused redhead retorted, snatching the ice pack from his hands and applying it properly to the back of his head, "quit being such a baby, Clint"
"Speak for yourself, Romanov", Tony mumbled between bites, "I'm still not sure whatever crazy cocktail you and Ole' Eyepatch jabbed into me at the diner". Unconsciously, he began to massage the phantom scar, the spot now a faded blotch on his pale skin.
"Wait, SHIELD injected you with something? Should I be worried?", Bruce piped up from the spread on his plate, alarmed.
"No, you shouldn't", Natasha stated, glaring at the billionaire. The last thing the team needed was having another Hulk incident in the tiny Deli.
"Dunno, you ever got palladium poisoning before?"
"As the big green guy or as me?"
"There a major difference? Besides the obvious change in size and temperament?"
Ben watched in amusement as the two team geniuses went back and forth, comparing notes on complex biological and chemical concepts that flew over the teen's head. Natasha had her hands full with the duo, attempting to mollify the nervous scientist while the billionaire only made things worse.
Man, Gwen would totally fit in with those two...I wonder what she'd think about Nat?
"What is this confounded swill?", Thor's tone was incredulous as he examined the soda cup, swirling around its contents suspiciously, his expressions equal parts mild distaste and suspicious. "By Odin's beard, I demanded beer!!!"
"It's a family joint, buddy, I don't think it's legal to sell alcohol here" , Ben pointed out.
"But how else doth we celebrate our victory, without beer! The grand halls of Asgard would be filled with songs and revelry right about now!", Thor cried out. He could already see it, kegs of the strongest ale, served by the finest maidens, Volstagg devouring his weight in roasted Bilgesnipe and the rest looking on in bemusement and horror (mostly on Lady Sif's part).
"Well, soda's pretty great", Ben shrugged as he raised his cup, "but nothing beats the taste of a good Smoothie after kicking some alien butt!"
"...what is this Smoothie? Some fancy Midgard speak for beer?"
Ben choked out a stuffed giggle, drawing yet another hard gaze from the trained assassin by his side. The teen proceeded to describe the most vivid of after-battle smoothie stories, complete with the minutest of details ranging from the consistency of the beverage to the sensations of the first and last sip.
"Damn, Tennyson, you sound like you're in love or something", Clint reeled back after the weirdly lengthy and impassioned description, "looks like Romanov's got some competition. Be wary, kiddo, she fights dirty". In more ways than one. Clint was the master of subtlety
The teen went red around the ears, his haze slightly averted from the redhead while she glared daggers at the Archer before rolling her eyes in disdain. Tony snickered at the display while Steve watched on in bemusement.
"Very well, Son of Ten!", Thor boomed in determination, "you and I shall go forth! And we shall embark on the glorious quest for the legendary smoothy!"
"Uhh, I'm pretty sure there's a smoothy store like everywhere, Thor. Even where I live"
"Bellwood? Sounds...normal", Tony wasn't sure how he felt, the unusual teen coming from somewhere so...usual.
"How exactly did you know that?", Ben queried.
"Your file", Tony laid back, relaxed, "seriously am I the only one who did the reading?"
"I gotta ask Ben, what happened with Loki?", Steve asked.
"Huh?"
"Well one minute you've got him pinned down, the next you go completely dark", Tony explained, his usually relaxed tone now had an edge of concern and curiosity.
"Did something happen?"
The teen paused awkwardly, the cryptic visions unleashed by the alien orb now flashing on his mind's eye. Ben had barely survived the attempt on his consciousness, and he'd the feeling that he hadn't seen the last of it. There was something else, someone else, barely out of his memory's touch
What Ben did remember was seeing them, his team, intermittent events that floated through his subconscious. Were they visions of the future? Possible time lines? Just another one of Loki's tricks?
So many questions, yet fewer and fewer answers.
What would his team think? Did he have the heart to even tell them?
"Uh hello? Earth to alien-boy? ", Clint snapped the teen out of his reverie, meeting Ben's confused gaze with his sharp stare. Needless to say, Clint had firsthand experience of facing the wrong end of Loki's scepter. Could he tell was Ben was thinking?
To his right, Natasha wore her classic expression: calm and unreadable. And yet her eyes never him, holding the teen in her piercing gaze. Deer, meet headlights. He fidgeted, a bout of unease wriggling in his gut. What was that expression? Was that how spies showed concern?
"You okay there, son?", the Captain placed a hand on the teen's shoulder, eyes warm with genuine concern. Another victim of Loki's enchantment, he'd feared what would've happened if Ben had ended up like him or Clint.
Lord knew the fight would've ended before they ever got a chance.
The teen in question merely brightened, a cocky grin quickly replacing the dour look that once clouded his features.
"It's cool, I'm okay Cap", replied the teen, "Loki did try his little whammy on me, but let's just say he learned the hard way that you don't mess with Ben Tennyson!", punctuating the last word with a fist pump, the teen almost instantaneously deflated the tension that steadily rose amidst the table.
" Ha! That's the spirit, E.T!", barked Tony,"it ain't bragging if it's true!".
"Yes it is, Tony!", Cap interjected, "and we don't need you blowing up his ego! One you on the team is already enough!"
"You're just jealous he's more like me than he is you..."
"More like you? What's that supposed to mean?"
"That I'm the cooler, more awesome version of you?"
"Boys will be boys", muttered Natasha. Clint merely looked on in childish amusement at the hilarity that ensued. Bruce shook his head, scoffing at the exchange between the duo.
Thor burped loudly, having consumed one too many sodas.
Ben's grin softened upon seeing his team bicker and react, reminding him of the good times with Gwen and Kevin, even when they hung out with the others. He'd been so focused on himself, his dogged pursuit of self-reliance simply because he wanted the prove he strike out alone, assured of his own self-sustenance. Truth be told, Ben was simply afraid. Afraid of being alone after all this time.
He'd never been alone before. He had his Grandpa and Gwen, Kevin, the Helpers...but the New Age of Heroes seemingly saw his past relations slowly drift apart, paper boats floating on a stream. He watched his friends and family retire one way or another, become normal. Ben didn't do normal; he was a hero, so he said, heroes get the job done no matter what.
He could see how wrong he was: he was a hero, but heroes often did need a team to get things done, watch their backs or even just inspire each other to be better, to be stronger, to be more.
You can't go it alone Ben, Grandpa Max once said, you need to put together a team
A New Age of Heroes. New threats. New allies. More importantly, a new Ben Tennyson. Where he always belonged: his team.
Hero, Plumber, Avenger.
...
...
..
BEN 10: AGE OF MARVELS
...
..
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...
...
..
Energy thrummed through the metallic room, the passive whirr of machinery cutting through the oppressive silence of walls within the facility.
No, not just a facility. A prison. Maximum Security.
Walls within walls within walls
The Time Traveller sat within the confines of his cell, legs crossed and eyes closed in what seemed to be some sort of meditative trance. The one thing Eon learned during his many escapades into the esoteric world of time travel was simply to wait. Strike the match, light the fuse and wait.
All in due time.
A loud hiss accompanied the main doors leading into the cell to open. Even with his eyes closed, Eon could recognize the measured, prominent steps of the visitor.
Garbed in all black, his visage seemingly blended with his trailing shadow, the visitor made his way to the center of the room, where its prisoner remained behind a myriad of security measures that made the Raft seem tame by comparison.
"I would say I'm surprised to see you, but judging from where I am, can't say that's completely accurate", Eon's left eye twitched, the scars of his last battle leaving their toll on his body.
His good eye studied the man before him. The man who was in some twisted way, a mirror image of who he was. Both inside and out. Well, mostly inside, given the circumstances.
"After all, when you've peered into uncountable timeliness, everything just becomes kinda predictable".
No response.
Eon continued undeterred, leering at the man in front of him,"I guess that's why you're here isn't it? To learn everything I know? Time Travel? Alien tech? Curiosity can be such a powerful motivator..."
His stiff joints popped and crunched as Eon rose to full height, towering over his visitor.
"...isn't that right, Mr Fury?"
Nick's expression remained impartial as he finally spoke, his words echoing with s much gravitas as one in his position could wield quite as effectively.
"You're going to tell me everything you know"
Eon's response was his trademark sickening grin.
"Oh boy...where do we even start?"
...
...
..
.
A/N: Yay, post credits scene!!! Finally made it! I rewrote this so may times I became sick of myself. Its bad enough I decided to overcomplicated what was originally supposed to be a few paragraphs.
Anywho, thanks for sticking around. Also thanks for the follows and reviews. As you can see there's a lot brewing here for the future, so stick around some more. Or don't, if you've got something better to do.
The next installment in the AOM Universe will be an ongoing series of one shots taking place chronologically. That means that the chapters will have new timelines as I write the new arcs (Winter soldier, Ultron, Civil War, GOTG2, Ragnarock, Black Widow, Infinity Saga)
Before that, I'll be taking a break to unwind. Creative writing is great, but quite stressful half the time. People seriously get paid to do this???
SideNote: A reviewer already asked this, but I want to know: who do you think could pull off a live action version of Ben in the MCU?
At first I thought Andy Samberg, since he's got the quirkiness and juvenile humor of a teenager, but I don't think he's got that level of charisma. Zac Efron doesn't either. At one point I even considered Ryan Reynolds!
As always, reviews are welcome. That said, since there's so many, I'll probably gloss over a few. I still check up on you guys every single day. If you have any cool ideas, you can send them through my inbox.
Answers to Reviews:
Rebel86: No, unfortunately Ben will not unlock his powers. I think the Spark isn't purely geneticc, there's an Arcane aspect to it
Monjiro: Yes, there's going to be 2 Black Widow stories. One after Winter Soldier and the other after Civil War.
Ben: I can definitely see Nat being the silent, possessive type.
Noobmaster69: As you can tell, I'm already aboard the Ben/Nat ship.
-Honestly I didn't even know they had the same color. I wasn't too sure what Nat's eyes were, so I just called them piercing for effect.
-Taking Nat to the Rushmore base would be cool, especially if they were on the run or something (Hint, Hint)
Guest: No, Ben's never doing the clone thing again. Too much trouble for him.
Story Artist: Thanks! The Red Room would definitely feature heavily within their relationship.
Bennyson: To be honest I didn't have too much issue writing Brainstorm. I enjoy writing intelligent characters. It's the...less intelligent ones that give me a headache. Thanks for the ideas in my inbox!
Markyyy31: I guess we'll wait and see what I'm implying (rubs hands together evilly)
Guest: I already have a plan for Feedback's return.
Guest: I make no promises about Nat's plunging neckline. That said, she won't be wearing heels to battle. I prefer combat boots with high wedges. Still stylish and can be deadly in combat (reminds me of that club girl from the Sifu game)
Slap smith: Wow dude!! :)
Guest: ill have to assume he didn't kill them, just left them in some kind of suspended animation.
KlabOriz: Eventually, Alien X will make his debut
markie0445: Yep, Ben will definitely get a growth spurt.
Draconian: Thanks for the review. As for your concerns, I mentioned earlier that I altered their ages a bit, so Ben is 19 while Natasha is 23. Although, I personally did not find the romance between Natasha and Bruce compelling. It felt half baked and poorly thought out. Also, didn't Bruce already have a love interest (Betty Ross)?
Guest: He isn't shut down by Romanov. He's just not very good at talking with very attractive ladies who kick ass.
UAF Rocks: The Rooters arc will happen, but I'll be rewriting some aspects of the storyline to fit the Winter Soldier arc.
Guest: The Ancient One is vague for a reason.
Benny: You'll have to wait and see who the mysterious voice was.
Guest: Elena Validus is registered as Missing in the Plumber's Database, after the chips incident. I kinda hate the fact that she basically became the "hive-queen yandere" of the series.
Guest with ideas: I'm guessing Ben and Nat never meet in the No-Watch/ No BLACK Widow time-line. Ben isn't on SHIELD radar and Nat isn't a spy. Or they could just be pen-pals in some sappy romance story.
-Thanks for the age-gap idea. That said, I really can't see Ben as Eren. Reminds me too much of Future Kevin.
Eren: All will be revealed in due time
Guest: Thanks for the idea!
Guest: Kevin's car is alien tech, basically its magic and we ain't gotta explain shit.
Monjiro: Paradox actually has a similar quote about Ben.
Guest: I doubt if Ben 23 appears in this series. Maybe in a one shot.
Guest: I honestly don't know if Ben's a virgin, but Natasha isn't, probably had a fling or two...why am I even thinking about this????
Mark: I'll definitely include a sparring session with the Avengers.
Guest: Ben hasn't looked to much into Natasha. Partially out of fear of what he'll see and partially out of respect. He's definitely glossed over and has a general idea of why she's called the world's best assassin.
Guest: Yeah Ben is partially resistant to mind control thanks to his alien heritage and uncanny willpower.
Guest: Birthday fanfic!
Guest: I definitely get the idea behind Ultron and Tony's desire to plan for everything.
Is it just me: I personally didn't care too much for no watch Ben. I'm sure he's cool, but he's not doing much in his own time line just chilling.
Ben: Red dust affects neural pathways, not the genes. Besides, doesn't it cure the Widows from mind control?
-Yes, Ben and Nat meet in Winter Soldier.
Guest: Technically the Chitauri aren't really alive are they? I think of them like the Reapers from Mass Effect.
Guest: I can't give away a lot about the 5 year time-line, but no, Ben is still a hero. In fact he's one of the few still active in duty. Definitely plays a part of him turning into Ben 10K
Guest With Ideas: Oh yeah, Infinity War with Ben is gonna be sickkkkk. And yes, I definitely have some interesting ideas for how the fight will play out.
Guest: I personally did not like the designs of Ultimate Alien. They lack the detail and polish from the OS. Compare Waybig in UAF to Waybig in the OS.
Guest: The snap affects all life in the universe. Anoditeac are alive, yes? How else can they reproduce?
Guest: I have a discord now, thanks for the suggestion!
EXCELSIOR!!!!!
AND THANKS FOR READING!!!!
