NOTE: Another chapter and more Yukiko Amagi for you to enjoy!
To answer the question from the previous chapter. The answer is actually Wildmutt. Because Yukiko is a dog person and she was never able to have a dog growing up, which goes into how she met Chie in the first place. So, she finds Wildmutt super adorable because she knows it's Ben. Actual Vulpimancers she finds disgusting. Her second favorite would be Cannonbolt, because of how funny he looks. Third favorite would be Ghostfreak, because of him being a ghost (This will obviously change, and we all know why).
Yukiko having her own personal rival has been brought up to me before. Adding in an OC character who can use a Persona is kinda iffy, because I just wouldn't know how or when to fit them in.
In regard to a Ben 10 villain that would be very against Yukiko would have to be Hex. While yes, he obviously doesn't like Gwen or Ben. His curiosity is mostly peaked by Yukiko's and Yu's Personas. And when someone is curious enough to repeatedly question something, they get to searching.
And he might just find something very important.
Enjoy and Review!
Chapter 33: Personas Lurk Below
"Now THIS is cool! Picked up in a billionaire's private jet to check out his brand-new hotel before anybody else!" Ben exclaimed, staring out the window.
Currently, the Tennyson family was riding on a private jet to explore the new hotel of one of Max's old friends. Yukiko was also staring out of the window with awe, she had never ridden on something so expensive before. Another brand new experience this summer had brought into her life.
"Now, we're talking a summer vacation! Thanks," Ben said to Max.
The old man nodded his head. "You know I'd do anything for you guys, you know that, Ben."
"How come you never told us before you knew Donovan Grand Smith?" Gwen asked.
"Must've slipped my mind," Max answered.
Yukiko shook her head, giggling. "Well, I hope to have a pleasant experience here. Maybe this place could give me ideas for the Inn?"
"I hope not…" Gwen muttered, remembering all of Yukiko's previous ideas.
The jet soon arrived at the entrance to the resort, landing in front of two people who were waiting by the landing spot. The door to the jet opened up, allowing the Tennysons to exit the vehicle, and greet Max's old friend.
"Max Tennyson. It's been way too long," Donovan greeted his friend. The elderly man had short gray hair, and white skin. He wore a red sweater and white pants. He held out his hand for Max to shake.
"How are you, Donovan?" Max asked.
"Well, with sixteen resorts worldwide I'd say pretty good," Donovan replied, bragging a little. "Glad to see you decided to see how the better half lives, hehe."
Max didn't take his words seriously, laughing with him. "These are my grandkids. Ben, Gwen, and Yukiko."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Yukiko bowed. Gwen decided to copy her elder cousin, while Ben just nodded his head.
"Nice to meet you, kids. This here is my grandson, Edwin," Donovan introduced. The boy next to him looked to be the same age as Ben and Gwen. He was dressed similarly to Donovan, however his hair was black instead of gray.
"Hey," Ben and Gwen smiled.
"Yeah whatever," Edwin disregarded their greeting. His eyes looked at Yukiko, scanning her from head to toe.
The heiress shifted nervously. "Is something wrong?"
"No," He turned away, blushing slightly.
His reactions to them made the Tennyson trio confused.
"Well, ready to take the plunge?" Donovan motioned to the elevator in front of them. The door opened, allowing them all to step inside. Ben and Gwen glared at Edwin, who wasn't afraid to return the glares equally as strong. Yukiko didn't know what to do to placate the kids, all she could do was hope Ben didn't cause any issues.
The elevator took them to a lower level where the underwater resort's entrance was located. Both families sat down on the carrier that was meant to take them into the soon-to-be resort. One of the guards controlling it pressed a button, taking them down. Ben and Gwen couldn't contain their excitement as they moved underwater.
Yukiko had her phone out, taking pictures of the marine life to send back to her friends. She really wished they could've been here to see all of this with her. The heiress didn't know that aquatic life could be so breathtaking.
Max was the only unsure one. "You sure this was the safest place to build a resort like this?"
"You talking underwater fault lines?"
"I'm talking about the fact that you're smack dab in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle," Max's reveal made his kids turn back to the conversation.
"Heh, growing up you always were the worrywart, Max. Never the risk taker," Donovan waved off Max's concerns.
"Someone has to be the voice of reason," Yukiko said out loud. She covered her mouth after realizing that wasn't kept in her head.
Donovan didn't mind it at all. "No, I guess you're not wrong on that. However, being overly cautious keeps you from discovering the best parts of life." Donovan pointed at the resort that came into view. "As you can see, I give you the one and only underwater resort!"
Ben, Gwen, and Yukiko were ecstatic to see something so beautiful, while Max was still worried that this wasn't safe at all.
"You won't believe what's down here…" Donovan said.
Ben and Gwen were running a head, pushing past the janitors who were cleaning the floor. Yukiko was walking beside Edwin, who was doing his best to not look at her, continuing to confuse her greatly.
Max and Donovan stayed in the back. "The official opening is only a week away. Just a few special VIPs like you are getting a sneak peak. Sure beats that old rusty bucket of bolts you sleep in, doesn't it, Max?" Donovan insulted the Rustbucket.
As Ben and Gwen were admiring the marine life, Yukiko placed a finger to her chin. "I wonder if I could ask my parents about adding fish tanks to the lobby?" She thought out loud.
Edwin raised an eyebrow, confused by her question. She noticed this and decided to clear it up for him. "O-oh. My family runs an Inn back home. This summer trip has given me plenty of ideas of things to add, so that guests may enjoy their time better." Edwin didn't say anything back, just processed the information before deciding to ignore them again.
"An Inn?" Donovan looked at Max.
"It's a famous Inn back in her hometown in Japan. The Amagi Inn," Max answered.
"Japan, huh? I have a resort planted in Tokyo, but I've never heard of this Amagi Inn. Must not be all that famous, huh," Donovan casually insulted Yukiko.
Max was about to reprimand his friend about it until Yukiko shook her head. "It's fine. Inaba is pretty small, so I guess you wouldn't have heard too much about it." The heiress didn't like that her family was once again insulted, but the last thing she wanted today was to start an argument.
Completely ignorant to what was happening behind them, Gwen turned to Donovan. "I've read about your resort in Pacific Monthly Oceania, Mr. Grand Smith! Very cutting edge. Isn't the glass reinforced-"
"...butt kisser…"
Gwen paused, turning to Edwin, who was facing the other way. The younger girl wasn't sure if she heard him correctly, she would've called him out if Donovan hadn't answered her.
"Micro titanium threads to withstand up to ten atmospheres. Nobody gets wet here unless it's from one of the nine pools," Donovan said.
"Nine pools? We only have two hot springs…" Yukiko mumbled to herself. She was now contemplating whether or not to talk with her mother about adding another set of baths.
"Very impressive, Donovan," Max said.
"Well for two billion dollars it better be. But ya know, money isn't everything," Donovan said.
Edwin glanced up at his grandfather. "We changed the family motto, Grandpa?" His tone made Donovan raise an eyebrow in confusion. Wondering what had his grandson so upset.
That was when Ben finally decided to pay attention again, noticing the Sumo Slammers pin on Edwin's sweater. "Hey, I'm into Sumo Slammers too. Where did ya score that pin?"
"Sumo Slammers Slam Down Five in Helsinki. We flew on my Grandpa's private jet just to get it," Edwin answered.
"And Edwin's already said the pin has tripled in value. Kid's got a head for business, grooming him to take over the empire one day. Gotta keep it in the family," Donovan chuckled, not noticing how Edwin tensed up after hearing that.
It was at that moment that Yukiko completely understood why Edwin had been acting like a rude brat since they appeared. He was being groomed to inherit a business that he may not want to take over and doesn't know how to express that to his family without sounding ungrateful.
Maybe this could be a chance to help someone who was just like her. Yukiko was about to walk up to Edwin; however Ben beat her to it.
"I'm kinda following in my Grandpa's footsteps this summer too," He proudly declared. Which did bring small smiles from his family, who understood the true meaning behind it.
Their little moment was broken by the resort's alarms going off and the power inside being cut off. Everyone was confused until they turned around to see one of the cleaners outside getting sucked down into the air vents below, where the dangerously sharp blades waited for him. His helmet also cracked, filling it with water.
"What happened!?" Gwen asked.
"A power surge must've caused the water to suddenly recycle itself!" Donovan realized.
"Will he be okay?" Ben asked.
"Hmph, if the sharks don't get him first," Edwin huffed, uncaringly. Yukiko was surprised by how little he seemed to care about a man that was about to die in three different ways.
"I can't have an employee turn into fish food before the opening! The press would ruin me!" Donovan rushed off to try and do something. Yukiko was again shocked that the man seemed to care about his own image rather than the man's life. She saw Ben rush past her, knowing that he was going to transform.
The boy ran behind some large pipes. "Time for Ripjaws to take a dive!"
Ben could be heard transforming in the background which caught Edwin's attention. "What was that!?"
His question forced the girls to quickly think of a lie to distract Edwin. "T-that was just Yukiko's phone! Her ringtone is pretty loud!" Gwen lied.
"Yes yes! I forgot to turn it down earlier!" Yukiko nodded her head in agreement. Edwin raised a brow at the two, finding their words a bit suspicious.
Gray Matter strutted out of his hiding spot. "Oh man. For once I was better off as me!" The little Galvan jumped into the water, his family noticed it and were slightly concerned on how he was going to get through this.
Outside of the resort, the employee was close to becoming shark chow. Gray Matter swam towards him as quickly as he could, grabbing onto one of the shark's fins. He punched the shark in the eye repeatedly, forcing it to swim right into its brother, biting him. Both sharks swam away from the resort, getting rid of at least one danger.
Gray Matter planted right onto the man's helmet, smiling at the employee. The vents below them had their blades reversed, propelling both human and Galvan back into the resort. Gray Matter went flying through the air as Max pulled the employee back to safety.
Yukiko tossed her fan through the air, nailing Gray Matter, and sending the Galvan face first into the glass. He slowly slid down the glass and fell onto the floor, groaning. Yukiko winced, not intending for him to get hurt in the process.
Max and Donovan were checking on the employee. "Are you okay?"
Edwin searched around, noticing that Ben was missing. "Hey, where's your cousin?" He asked the girls.
"...Right here…"
Everyone looked over to see Ben walking over, holding his head. "Ugh, does anyone have a bag of ice?"
The employee was alright, but rightfully upset at the fact that he almost died. He walked away to put away his diving suit. "Well, I'll have to double his salary, but he won't breathe a word."
"But wouldn't it be bad if he doesn't breathe?" Yukiko asked. Her question brought confused glances from the Grand Smiths and groans from the Tennysons.
"Is she always like this?" Edwin asked.
"You have no idea," Gwen huffed.
"Anyway, who would believe him? He said some six-inch rat with two legs saved him," Donovan laughed.
The Tennyson kids giggled to themselves.
Edwin however was annoyed. "Buy him off! Because that's the Grand Smiths' way!" Which made Donovan cough nervously.
"Edwin, why don't you take the Tennysons on a tour, so that their grandpa and I can catch up?" Donovan didn't give him a choice as he and Max were walking away. Though, Max did make eye contact with Yukiko, telling her to keep all three of them in line.
She nodded her head, knowing this would be another difficult task for her to complete.
"Oh man!"
"Ugh!"
Edwin just glared at his grandfather's back, ignoring Ben's and Gwen's annoyed attitudes.
Edwin took the Tennysons towards the resort's water park. Baffling Yukiko on how an underwater resort could have an indoor water park. Ben was impressed by the size of it all.
"Not bad, huh? In the morning I have my own swim coach and personal trainer to work out with," Edwin explained.
"You're a swimmer?" Gwen asked, surprised.
"Long distance. My grandpa says it builds character," Edwin complained before walking ahead.
Ben mocked Edwin, getting some laughs from Gwen. Yukiko shook her head disapprovingly at Ben. "That's not funny, Benjamin."
He glared at her. "Come on? It's just a little funny joke at snobby boy here. I mean, you're rich too and you don't act like a jerk."
"I have to agree with Ben." Gwen shivered slightly after saying that. "Edwin has been a rude jerk since we got here."
Yukiko shook her head again. "Be easier on him. He's been groomed from a young age to take over a business without a thought of what it is that he could want himself. Forced to endure expectations set on you before you could even walk. It's not easy growing up like that." With her piece said, Yukiko hurried after Edwin.
Both of her cousins stood there for a moment to process her scolding. Gwen came to the realization first of what Yukiko meant and slapped herself for it.
"Wait, I don't understand..." Ben was confused.
"She's referring to herself, genius. Remember how her life was back before she got her Persona?" Gwen reminded him.
The memories popped back up into his brain, making Ben also slap himself in the face. Yukiko used to hate her Inn. And if Edwin reminds Yukiko of herself, then that would mean Edwin hates his family's business.
The both of them felt like major doofuses for making fun of Edwin.
The tour continued, with Ben and Gwen being a bit more subdued than they were earlier. Confusing Edwin even more, but he didn't try to focus on it much. He led them into a hangar, where a large submarine was hanging from the ceiling. "It's called The Undersea Mataray. It's my Grandfather's."
"W-well, it looks cool!" Gwen complimented.
"Yes, this is very impressive, Edwin," Yukiko agreed.
For the first time since they met him a childlike smile appeared on Edwin's lips. "Wanna take it for a ride?"
"Heck yeah!" Ben agreed.
Yukiko and Gwen weren't so keen on the idea. "I don't think that's safe, Edwin. Maybe we should ask your grandfather first before we do this," Yukiko suggested.
His smile faltered for a moment. "I'm allowed to use the facilities here as much as I please. I am the esteemed grandson after all." With that said, he and Ben rushed over to the control panel.
Yukiko knew this was going to be a bad idea. But there wasn't much she could do to stop it, since Edwin has permission to use it as far as she knows.
Inside of the engine room was Max and Donovan. The billionaire was explaining to Max just how he got the resort to work this far down under the sea. Max noticed something weird happening at the control panel. There was a weird purple glowing light inside of it. "Hey, what's behind that panel?"
"Err, n-nothing! It's just a backup generator!" Donovan covered it up. "Now look at this!" He motioned for the operators to demonstrate just how much energy the resort contains. "I have enough energy to illuminate the outside so bright, it's visible five hundred feet above sea level!"
He took Max over to a converter belt. "Now for my prized possession: The Undersea Mataray!"
Much to his and Max's shock, the submarine was gone. And there was only one suspect that could've committed the crime. "Edwin…!" Donovan growled.
Yukiko felt uneasy as the Mataray descended even further below the sea, piloted by Edwin. Still, she couldn't help but admire the beauty of all the aquatic life that moved past them. Her cousins were the same, finding it absolutely stunning. "Wow! Some of these fish look totally prehistoric!" Gwen exclaimed.
The Mataray continued its journey through the sea, moving past old sunken ships and fish alike. However, there was something strange following the vehicle. Something more mechanical rather than living. It wasn't just one, but a multitude of them coming in troves.
The Mataray floated over a large underwater casam which looked weirdly shaped as if something dug down there. "Okay, now that's weird," Gwen pointed out.
Something jumped up in front of the glass, scaring Gwen at the suddenness of it. The thing was completely robotic with a long blue body and mechanical tentacles. Her scream caught the attention of the others.
The Cyber Squid latched onto the submarine, attacking the glass. "And that's weirder!" Edwin added.
THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!
Edwin and the Tennysons watched as more and more Cyber Squids began attacking the submarine, trying to break through it. One of them managed to crack through the glass, small bouts of water managing to squeeze through. Alarms blaring as a result.
"W-what do you think those creatures want!?" Edwin asked, afraid.
"To kill us!" Yukiko answered. "I knew this was a bad idea!"
"We gotta get back to the hotel!" Ben yelled.
Edwin activated the gas, driving the submarine back to the hotel. However, there appeared to be underwater mines left in their way, forcing Edwin to try and maneuver around them. One of the squids swam right into it, setting off a chain of explosions.
"Why are there underwater mines!?" Yukiko asked, baffled.
"Probably to stop people from trespassing-Eeek!" Gwen and everyone screamed as explosions rocked the entire submarine. The Cyber Squids were still trying to destroy the Mataray.
Edwin reached for the radio. "Grandpa! Do you copy!?" He tried to alert his grandfather.
The girls turned to Ben, who understood that he needed to get out there and help. He unbuckled his seatbelt and ran for the airlock. He glared at the watch as he dialed up Ripjaws. "Turn me into Wildmutt and you're dead meat!" He slammed down the dial.
Luckily for him the Omnitrix was in a good mood. Ripjaws flexed his claws. "Okay, now we're talking!" Ripjaws dropped through the hatch and entered the water. Ripjaws dodged two of the Cyber Squids that tried to attack him. He maneuvered around them and sunk his teeth into one of the squids, killing it.
The second one attempted to grab him with its tentacles, unfortunately for it, Ripjaws' claws were stronger. Tearing through the squid with ease. After dealing with the stragglers, Ripjaws hurried to catch back up with the Mataray.
Edwin watched worriedly as the squids were still trying to break through the glass. He turned to check on his passengers, only to find Ben gone. "Hey, what happened to your cousin?"
"H-he must've gone to the bathroom!" Gwen lied.
"Ben suffers from a weak bladder. Especially in tense situations!" Yukiko added.
"Oh, I see…" Edwin believed. Until a realization dawned on him. "Wait a minute…There's no bathroom on this thing!"
"Just drive!" Both girls shouted at him.
"What do we do?" Gwen whispered to Yukiko. Too many squids were attempting to break through the submarine.
Yukiko summoned her tarot card. "It's been a while since I've tried this. Sumeo-Okami!" Yukiko summoned her Persona. The large woman of golden light appeared outside of the submarine. Yukiko had her Persona aim her blade carefully. "Maragion!"
Due to its limitations in the water, Sumeo-Okami had to consistently move to keep up with the submarine or else her fire wouldn't work. The small balls of flame blew up some of the squids that were attacking, while another batch of squids appeared as reinforcements.
Yukiko didn't need to focus on those as Ripjaws clawed his way through them. Tearing the bots apart as fast as he could. Considering that the squids could see this physical threat, a good chunk of them left the submarine to tackle Ripjaws.
"Thanks, Ben!" Yukiko appreciated the assistance.
"Edwin, you know the Undersea Mataray is off limits!"
"W-were under…attack by creatures…and we're sinking!"
Donovan didn't believe him, growling into the radio. "Edwin if this is some kind of joke!?"
"It's no joke, Donovan!" Max exclaimed. The ex-plumber was staring down at the pool of water. A bright cerulean glow began to appear around the resort. Hundreds upon hundreds of Cyborg Squids were attacking the resort. Both elderly men stared in horror at the sight before them.
"We've got to evacuate the resort! Now!" Max didn't really suggest it.
Donovan was in disbelief. "Overrun by aliens!? There goes my 5-star rating!"
Ripjaws was slammed into his entryway of the submarine, closing it off. He wasn't given much time to focus on it, since the Squids were attempting to strangle him to death. He clawed, punched, and bit his way through the squids without mercy.
Yukiko continued to burn through them as discreetly as she could without drawing Edwin's attention. Though, that was impossible as he was confused as to why the squids were blowing up into flames in front of him.
Ripjaws was slammed into the glass, scaring Edwin even more. "Where did that thing come from!? What the heck is happening!?"
Gwen tried to calm him down. "Relax. Looks like he's on our side."
"Yes, fish are friends!" Yukiko smiled.
Ripjaws finished tearing through a squid before the Omnitrix began to beep. He panicked and tried to open the latch back up, but it was too bent from the fight. He screamed in fear of drowning in the ocean as the watch's beeping seemed to laugh at him.
"There's a boat beside the platform! Take it!" Donovan said to Max.
Max glared at the billionaire. "I don't go anywhere without my grandkids!"
Yukiko glanced around the outside of the submarine. "Where's Ben? Ten minutes have passed already!" The heiress prayed that he hadn't drowned in the ocean.
TSSST!
Everyone turned around to see Ben stumbling out of the airlock, soaking wet. He would've hit the floor if Yukiko didn't catch him in time. She discreetly tried to dry him off with her flames as the boy tried to get air back into his lungs.
Edwin drove the submarine as fast he could back into the resort. More Cyber Squids were attempting to stop them from escaping.
Both Max and Donovan stood at the control panel in front of the entry pool, waiting for the sub to appear. "Get ready to close the door!" Max said. Both waited for the submarine to get closer to the resort. "NOW!"
Donovan pressed the button just as the Mataray entered the resort. The doors crushed a Cyber Squid that was clinging onto the back of the submarine.
However, the resort itself wasn't so lucky. The Cyber Squids had managed to break through the reinforced glass, drowning the resort in water.
Max helped Yukiko and the kids off of the submarine as alarms began to blare all over the resort. "We're flooding! They broke the glass!"
Edwin glared at his grandfather. "I knew you shouldn't have taken it! I knew it!"
"Edwin, quiet!" Donovan hissed. "I'm sure it has nothing to do with this."
"Taken what, Donovan!?" Max wasn't going to let him drop it.
"Edwin doesn't know what he's talking about!" Donovan refused to acknowledge it.
Yukiko stepped forward. "I think he does know! And you're too prideful to admit that you're wrong!"
"You never listen to me! All you ever want me to do is agree with you!" Edwin hissed.
The argument would've continued if Cyber Squids didn't begin invading the resort. "Let's go!" Max ordered. Everyone sprinted towards the elevator as the Cyber Squids gave chase. The doors closed before the squids could reach them.
Max took this moment of peace to continue questioning Donovan. "Donovan! What the heck is going on!?"
The billionaire relented. "Okay, okay, fine. The underwater volcano thing didn't work. The resort was doomed. I was about to become a punchline to a bad joke, and I found this other energy source on this weird craft down below. It was like nothing I've ever seen before."
"And now I bet those aliens want it back," Gwen said.
"Yeah, the same ones with the underwater parking lot full of boats and planes," Ben added.
When the elevator doors opened the group had to sprint down the hallway to avoid getting swept up by the approaching water. Max quickly closed the door to the room they entered. "Twenty-eight years on the job and I never found out who was behind the Bermuda Triangle. And now they're coming for us!"
The group had managed to get on one of the last remaining crafts to escape the resort. The only one happy about the situation was Edwin. "Look on the bright side, Grandpa. You still have 15 resorts worldwide," Edwin rubbed into his face. Donovan silently grumbled as he started the craft.
Yukiko sighed, knowing that if they get out of this she should talk to Edwin once she has the chance.
"AAAHHHH!"
And apparently that chance wasn't going to be soon.
Tentacles appeared all around them, tearing the craft apart. Separating the kids from the adults. Donovan tried to reach for Edwin as the kids fell back down into the resort.
"Donovan, stop this thing!" Max yelled, equally as scared.
"I can't!" He replied as they got further away.
Yukiko wrapped her arms around Ben and Gwen as their half of the craft slid down the tunnel uncontrollably.
"AAAHHH! WE'RE GONNA BE FLATTENED!" Edwin cried.
"Yes, we will!" Gwen left Yukiko's embrace, scooting over to Edwin. "Now put your head down and brace for impact!" With him covered Ben was able to transform once more.
SPLASH!
FLASH!
Stinkfly flew through the water, carrying Edwin and Gwen in his arms, and Yukiko on his back. The stink bug flew through the tunnel to find the exit.
Edwin uncovered his eyes. "Woah, who is-"
"Just another good alien trying to help us out!" Gwen continued to lie.
"Ignore the smell," Yukiko added.
"Hold on!" Stinkfly shouted as he ascended higher over the water. Metal tentacles began to burst through the water surface in attempts to pierce through their targets.
"LOOK OUT!" His passengers screamed.
Stinkfly was too late to do anything as he flew right through a waterfall of water. Wetting his wings and dropping everyone into the water. They all swam back up to the surface.
"My wings are too wet! I can't fly!" Stinkfly cried.
"Don't worry, Ben! We'll get out of this," Edwin said, shocking the Tennysons.
"T-that's not Ben!" Yukiko tried to cover up.
Edwin rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right. Good aliens just show up to help us, while your cousin just happens to disappear. You two are also terrible liars," Edwin added that last part. Much to Gwen's and Yukiko's displeasure.
Stinkfly turned to his cousins. "See, this is why you let me come up with the cover stories."
"Oh, shut up!" Gwen huffed.
Edwin was poking Stinkfly's arms. "How do you even do this?"
Yukiko gently grabbed his hand, stopping him. "Edwin, look. That energy orb is dangerous. If those aliens are here for it then we have to get to it first."
He blushed a bit at her contact, pulling his hand away. "Alright, but it's all the way on the other side of the resort."
"We'll never make it in the water," Stinkfly said.
Gwen looked up, noticing a vent. "Who said anything about swimming?"
Back on ground level, Max and Donovan were attempting to find a way to help their grandkids. Donovan hung up the phone. "The navy's closest sub is in Keywest. It'll be a half hour before they get here."
"Any way to communicate with the kids down there?" Max asked.
"No, I've already tried. The flooding must've ruined the line," Donovan sighed as lightning cracked the sky above them.
"Ugh, I don't know what's scarier. The smell of wet stink or these aliens," Gwen complained. The kids and teen were crawling through the vents to reach the orb.
"If it's bothering you so much then you should've gone first," Stinkfly grumbled.
"Can't exactly do that when only Edwin knows the way and one of us is wearing a skirt!" Gwen hissed at him. Yukiko was at the back of the line for a reason.
"Calm down, you two. Arguing isn't going to solve anything," Yukiko attempted to placate them.
"There has to be a faster way than this-KYA!" Gwen and the others screamed as the vent started to collapse. Sending the four of them barreling down into the waters below.
The four swam back up the surface, scanning the area to figure out where they were. Stinkfly grinned. In front of them were three jet skis. "Alright! Now we're talking!"
Gwen and Yukiko climbed onto one, while Edwin reached the other. Stinkfly attempted to get onto the third one until he was suddenly pulled underwater.
"BEN!" The girls cried.
Stinkfly had been grabbed by a Cyborg Squid and luckily for him the watch turned him back to normal. Ben was able to escape the squid and climb onto his jet ski. Behind him was the Cyborg Squid, attempting to grab him.
"Agidyne!"
The squid exploded instantly, turning into a smoldering pile of ash. Edwin gaped at Yukiko, who had her fan drawn. "Wait, so all of the fire was you!?"
"Hehe, guilty!" Yukiko giggled.
"That's awesome!" Edwin exclaimed as the four of them drove towards the orb. Sadly, the trip wasn't without obstacles as more Cyborg Squids were coming for them. "Watch out!"
The Tennysons and Edwin maneuvered around the squids to avoid getting grabbed. "Maragion!" Medium sized fireballs obliterated the oncoming squids. Yukiko smirked, fanning herself proudly. "Hmph, is that all?" She taunted.
"So cool!" Edwin grinned.
"I know, right!?" Ben agreed.
Donovan stared at a picture of himself and Edwin. "Your grandkids really seem to look up to you, Max. What's your secret?"
Max figured now was a good time to give his old friend some advice. "Well, I don't expect them to be exact versions of me. I let them be themselves. Faults and all." Max could see that Donovan was still struggling to understand. "You know, Yukiko is just like Edwin."
"Huh?"
"Back at her hometown called Inaba, from the day she was born she was expected to be just like her mother. To inherit and run her mother's side of the family's Inn just like her. Nobody even gave the thought that Yukiko would turn out any different or would want to do anything different," Max explained.
"She never had a choice?"
"No, and I don't think she would mind me sharing with you that she honestly hated her Inn for years. Because running it was never her choice."
"But she was talking about how much she wanted to help it?"
"Because she had people who helped her see differently. That while she would have to inherit the Inn, she could manage it in her own way. Not the way others think she should do it. Yukiko is a young woman who makes her own choices in her life. You gotta let Edwin do the same," Max said softly.
Donovan was stunned to silence by the story, thinking that Edwin must hate their entire family business and maybe even him by extent. All because nothing in his life had ever been decided by him. It was then and there that Donovan decided that he would change.
He would become a grandfather that allowed his grandson to choose his own path in life. But first, those kids had to survive whatever perils they were facing down there.
Max placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Donovan. Grandkids always rise to the occasion."
"I see it!" Yukiko pointed ahead
The Tennysons and Edwin arrived at the core. Edwin pressed a button, revealing the Cyborg Squids' orb. "If that orb can power this whole resort, just imagine what those aliens did with it." Gwen said.
"Stealing all those ships and planes would be a good guess," Ben said.
"Maybe if we reversed the connection, it would turn its outward power inward," Edwin theorized.
"And make the whole resort implode!" Gwen followed his thought.
"With those aliens in it!" Ben grinned.
"Oh, I love a good plan!" Yukiko giggled. "Good thinking, Edwin!"
"Thanks, but we still need to get out of here," Edwin said.
Ben lifted the watch. "I have an idea."
As the Cyborg Squid approached the core, Edwin was reversing the power. Once he was done, the Tennysons and Edwin quickly drove away from the core before the Squids realized they were there.
"How much time do you think we have?" Gwen asked.
"Not much," Edwin answered.
They arrived at the entrance to the resort, where a large golden submarine waited for them. "Get in!" Ben ordered.
"That thing's your escape plan? It's only for show!" Edwin argued.
Ben smiled devilishly. "And when I'm done with it, it'll be for 'Go'!" Ben activated the Omnitrix. Turning himself into Upgrade.
"Woah," Edwin gasped at the transformation.
"Come on!" Gwen dragged him into the submarine. Upgrade fused himself with the submarine after the others were securely inside.
It was at that moment that the orb finally imploded, taking out all of the Cyborg Squids with it.
Upgrade and the others escaped right before the water resort exploded.
Max and Donovan were waiting by the docks as the submarine came topside. The hatch opened to reveal all of the grandkids safe and sound.
"How did you get that sub to work? It hasn't worked in eighty years!" Donovan questioned.
"It's like I said Donovan. Grandkids always manage to rise to the occasion," Max laughed.
"The good news is that all the aliens are toast," Gwen re-laid the good news.
"The bad news is that the resort is too," Edwin sighed.
Donovan shook his head, kneeling down to his grandson's height. "Hey, who cares? You're all okay and that's all that matters. You'll have to fill me in on the details, Edwin."
Edwin smirked. "Most of them." He winked at the Tennysons. "And the name's Eddy, Grandpa." The two shared an embrace, warming Yukiko's heart.
"Family hug!" She opened her arms.
"Nah," Ben refused. He was forced into hugging her anyway, he grumbled under his breath at Yukiko's constant desire for hugs.
Donovan turned to Max. "Thanks for everything."
"No problem. So much for your one in a kind resort, Donovan," Max jokes.
"Yeah, well, it gives me more time to focus on my next one. It's going up on the moon!" He laughed. "How about you and the kids be my first guests?"
All four looked at each other before coming to one conclusion. "No thanks."
Donovan shrugged, not bothered by it in the slightest. "Also, Yukiko. I wouldn't mind checking out that Inn of yours one of these days. Wouldn't that be nice, Eddy?" Donovan turned to his grandson.
Eddy smiled. "Yeah, I wouldn't mind going to visit it one day."
Yukiko beamed at their willingness to visit her Inn. "Oh, that would be wonderful! We'd be happy to have you over to experience our hot spring and customer service!"
Donovan smirked. "Maybe I could speak to your parents about becoming business partners?"
"No."
"Are you sure-"
"Yes."
"We could help expand your-"
"Not needed."
Donovan silently sulked to the side after getting repeatedly shut down by a teenage girl. With him out of the way, Yukiko approached Eddy.
"Eddy?"
"Yeah?"
"Here's my phone number," Yukiko wrote it down on a small scrap of paper she found in her bag. "If you ever need someone to talk to then just give me a call. I'd be happy to discuss any problems you might have."
"Why?" Eddy asked, confused.
"I understand what it's like to inherit a family business without much of a choice. While we may not be as rich as your family, our personal issues may still be the same. My friends helped me get through my issues, so I'd be happy to do the same for you."
Eddy stared at her invitation and smiled. "Thanks…I-I'd appreciate it," He smiled. Eddy folded the paper and put it into his pocket, walking away to tend to his grandfather.
Max and the kids walked up to her. "That was sweet, Yukiko."
The heiress nodded her head. "I'm just doing what Yu-kun would've done in this situation. Helping people when they need it."
"And I'm sure he'd be proud to hear that," Max said. Eliciting a bright smile from Yukiko, which he wanted nothing more than to protect at all costs.
Chapter End
NOTE: I realized while writing this episode that Eddy and Yukiko were pretty similar with their situations, so I decided to have them keep in touch at the end there. And considering that Eddy was the one who built Ben 10K's tower, he might just become a business partner with Yukiko in the future. Who knows?
We're almost done with this season. Just three more episodes to go.
Next chapter - Dr. Animo and the Mutant Ray