SpideyFam: We knew the day it happened. You could have at least said this on one of our MANY Marvel stories.
Howlstone16: When this arc is done. Like always.
Lonestar88: No she didn't. They can't ALL come over at once, they are heroes protecting their world.
jasongd: Hey, you're the only one to mention that. Good eye.
Guest893: Yes. That IS what happened in the fucking chapter. And I have told you to stop fucking doing that. Next time I will delete the review.
Here are some reviews answered by Ghost:
Shooting Star Dragon 3000: Thanks very much.
Guest893: Yeah, but we were busy with other stories. Never underestimate the Bertie Botts franchise that is Mr Smoothy.
Lonestar88: Yeah, that's what we intended. Duela stayed behind because someone had to keep an eyes on the others.
Howlstone16: We paused James in order to work on Krystal. If we worked on both James AND Krystal, we'd be burnt out and confused which one we are working on.
Guip2003: No. Fox Sage isn't my work, it's solely Grey's and YugiohFan163's. I have ZERO input with the story, so I have no idea what the update schedule is.
SpideyFam: We know. We've paid our respects on 'Avengers Zombie Chaos'. There will never be another Stan 'The Man' Lee. Excelsior. *tears up*
Co-Written by GhostKaiser23
Disclaimer: Do not own Ben 10
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Okay guys! Here we go! It is time to start the fourth arc of Krystal's Harem, a sequel to the first arc that Ghost and I ever wrote together and was my favorite arc to ever write...
Welcome, everyone, to the Another World Arc of Krystal's Harem!
This is a sequel to the classic arc of Ben's Harem known as the And Then There Were Arc, AKA the Multiverse arc.
So it is time for some fun!
Time to travel the multiverse!
Allons-y everyone!
Krystal's Harem
Chapter 40: Another World's Danger Cut's Through
It was three days later, James and the Titans had a rather interesting stay. The guys had been sleeping in the spare rooms of the mansion and while James' lovers shared his old room. It had been fun, seeing the sights and taking in the culture of this other world, but now they were going back to their world.
It was good to have James back in the Tennyson home, the family all together again for a short time, even though they would all be sad to see him go.
The family had bid farewell to the Titan's last night, all but the eldest son of the Tennyson's. James had decided he was going to stay the night, one last day with his siblings and parents. Some alone time before he returned home to go back to being a hero. It is this day we start on
"Hmm~. Huh? Oh." Krystal yawned as she woke up of her own volition for once in a long time "Man...What a night." She frowned, rubbing her eyes. She sat up, getting dressed tiredly 'This hardly happens.' She thought, putting some clean underpants and a bra on "I wonder why." As Krystal put her clothes on, she headed downstairs to see James making pancakes and everyone's plates dirty showing this was at least seconds "Wha~?" Krystal asked in shock
"Morning, Krys. Sleep well?" James asked
"... Yes?" She blinked
"Pancake?" He asked with a smile
"... Sure." she nodded
"One moment." James soon got to work, making a stack of pancakes for his sister
"More please." Luna licked her lips, her fur having some jam stuck in it.
"I think you've had enough." Selena smiled
"Oh." She pouted.
"AND you need a bath." Selena added
"But I had one last night!" She complained, kicking her legs innocently
"Your muzzle is covered in strawberry jam, don't argue." Selena pointed out.
"Fine." She grumbled, crossing her arms
"I'll go with her. My bandages need washing too." Atem added, getting down from the table making Luna grin
"No, you're too old for sharing baths now." Ben shook his head
"Oh." Luna frowned, pouting at her father hoping he'd cave
Knock knock
"Huh? Coming." Ben answered, getting up and left the table. He opened the door revealing a woman that looked like Gwen's twin
"SURPRISE HUG!" A the person cheered
"Lucy?" Ben asked in shock and then laughed happily. "It's great to see you!" Ben hugged the exact copy of his wife tightly, confusing the kids
"Mama Gwen?" The kids asked
CREAK!
James leaned past the doorway seeing the copy and was arming himself with a frying pan only to blink, as the copy had red hair 'Oh, thank god.' James sighed in relief.
"Lucy." Gwen groaned "Why do you keep doing that? You're not gonna trick him."
"Awe~, it's just an innocent joke, Cuz." The now named 'Lucy' answered, transforming into her real form and that real form... Was a blonde bombshell of a woman
She had long blonde hair that went down to her hips, blue eyes, cute cat whisker-like markings on her cheeks, wearing a long black shirt with a white star over her D-Cup chest; white stockings and black flat shoes with pink markings.
"Aunt Lucy!" The kids cheered as they saw her.
"Hey." Krystal and James waved as he put the frying pan down.
"Hey kids. Gosh you've ALL gotten bigger! You were only THIS high when I last saw you." Lunch spoke, using her hand to gesture that she saw them when they were smaller and then just shrinking down to that size and laughing
"TINY AUNT LUCY!" The kids laughed making Lucy laugh with them and snort
"Bath, Luna." Selene pointed to a room, telling her daughter
"But Mum! Aunt Lucy!" the Loboan princess whined
"What's wrong?" Lucy asked
"Luna's messy." Selene answered.
"Hmm. Okay." Lucy smiled and morphed, grabbing the kids and went to the bathroom.
"HEY!" Attea blinked in shock
"Aaaaans they are all gone." Ben blinked
"...Never quiet here is it?" James joked
"Not at all." A black haired Gwen wearing a black mid-thigh-length and sleeveless dress as well as knee high black heeled boots "Hey everyone!"
"... Hi Aunt Sunny." James stated simply with a frown, getting back to cooking
"Is that James?" Sunny smiled, having not seen James in ages...but was stopped by Gwen before she took a step forward.
"Sunny." Gwen spoke simply, stopping her cousin.
"Gwen!" Sunny grinned and hugged her
"Yeah, good to see you too." Gwen sighed.
"What's the occasion?" Ben asked
"Oh, I arrived on Earth last month." Sunny waved off "Been partying for a while. Bumped into Lucy as I entered town, decided to head here together."
"Still a party girl?" Gwen asked disapprovingly.
"Of course." She nodded
The Tennyson family sighed gently. "Would you like a drink?" Hope asked
"Sure." Sunny nodded as Hope went to the kitchen.
The Tennyson family sighed gently. "Would you like a drink?" Hope asked
"Sure." Sunny nodded as Hope went to the kitchen.
"James, you okay?" Hope asked as her son played the next and final batch of pancakes
"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" He blinked in genuine confusion, shocking her slightly
"Are-aren't you?" Hope asked
"I've had years to get over it, Mum. Plus, my own wife and lover have purple hair." James answered as he hugged her a bit "I've grown out of that fear Julie gave me. We both know it was never Aunt Sunny's fault. It's just how she is, she wasn't trying to bring up my bad memories."
Hope chuckled gently. "When did you grow up?" She smiled, hugging back
"When I saved the world from a cult leader running a super villain school who was trying to summon my fiance's literal demon of a father, the guy having first tried to brainwash my team into thinking we where his students." James joked
"...Wow, you DID grow up fast." Hope chuckled
"Thanks." He nodded
"Want to go to your room?" She asked
"Why?" He shrugged "She's family. She never meant anything by it."
"I suppose." Hope answered. "I'll help with the washing up."
"Nah, I've got it." James answered
"James. Your technically a guest." She chuckled softly
"Okay, okay...I wonder how the kids are doing?" He wondered
*Upstairs*
The kids spattered and coughed as Lucy basically threw them in the bath "There. Now EVERYONE is in the bath." Lucy laughed
The younger ones like Ren and Skarlet began to laugh, splashing happily "At least SOME of us are enjoying themselves." Scout grumbled as he was splashed by Ren.
"My pajamas." Luna pouted.
"They'll get clean." Atem answered, taking his shirt off. Luna looks at Atem and blushed, seeing him in the bath with her.
"Fun!" Kitty laughed
"Yep, it IS fun. Now. Who wants bubbles?" Lucy asked
"Me!" They cheered and with that...
SPLASH!
Lucy threw a bath bomb into the water and a bazillion bubbles brewed within the bath
"Wow!" the kids gasped
"Something from my travels." Lucy smiled. "BANZAI!" She jumped into the water with her 'nieces and nephews', even though they were cousins-in-law several times removed, they treated each other as aunt and such. She laughed, swimming around them
"Pass the rubber duckies!" ML-E laughed as she swam with her siblings.
*Downstairs*
"Hey Aunt Sunny." James said, hugging her
"James! Oh, this is nice." Sunny smiled, hugging back. "...You're not running away."
"I've grown up since then." He laughed He broke the hug, sitting down
"...You've changed your hair." Sunny blinked, noting it.
"Not by choice. Genetic." James explained
"How?" Sunny inquired
"Evolving. Breaking my limits." James nodded
"Right...I ALSO heard you're married." Sunny smirked, noting that James had a wedding band on his ring finger. A fancy one which looked almost like a fusion between several rings "That is BEAUTIFUL. What is it made from?" Sunny asked as she examined it
"I believe it's Zuwalian, a Tameranian metal." He explained "And I am already married, well I will be getting married again soon. I take after dad."
"Zoo-Wall-Ian. Interesting." Sunny enunciated the metal's name. "Whore the lucky women?"
James shook his head and got his wallet, and showed his aunt the copy photo of James on his wedding day with Kori and Kom.
Krystal smiled, walking out back as the family bonded 'I guess it's too much for you today.' Ship thought to Krystal.
"Not really, I just think James needs some time with everyone." Krystal answered calmly "Plus, too many people in that room. A bit stuffy."
'That makes sense.' Ship answered 'What would you like to do?'
"You?" Krystal laughed
'Oh, my~.' Ship emulated her inner 'George Takei' shuddered
Suddenly the multiversal portal turned from green to a sickening purple "What the hell is that?" Krystal flinched as she saw the portal.
It suddenly felt... Wrong
And that was when she heard something...a sickeningly terrifying song.
It was vague, she couldn't make out any lyrics, but her spine tingled with terror. Emerging out of the portal was a figure, seemingly no bigger than her.
She didn't even get the chance to process anything before the being slashed at her throat with some sort of blade attached to a stick
'KRYSTAL!' Ship screamed as she jettisoned out and grabbed he blade.
The figure glared and threw Ship to the floor, glaring at Krystal through his black bangs "Grr." He growled softly, like a predatory animal.
Krystal's heart was thumping in her ears, seeing this lanky and terrifying person wielding a scythe, upon inspection. The Nemetrix on Krystal's neck was begging to warm up, sparking red...It was aiming to activate.
She flinched, holding her neck in pain as she yelled.
Beep beep beep
Beep! Beep! Beep!
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
The figure charged forwards prepared to stab Krystal in the heart
"KRYSTAL!" Ship yelled
SSSHINK!
And, in a bright red light; Krystal had transformed into a predatory alien.
In Krystal's place was something most would see as a monster
She was now a giant four-legged spider with a body of a silverfish with four pincers with one claw on each and a silver colored exoskeleton, the lower half of her legs and back of her head is covered with light brown hair. Her eyes are red, reptile-like head with an open mouth smile. Around her neck was a red armoured collar, the Nemetrix shining in the light
The lanky, black-haired figure looked up at the transformed Krystal in shock, he didn't think she'd do THIS!
There was a small flash of terror in his eyes
"HISSSHHH!" Krystal hissed, glared at the being, who she saw was a boy. Maybe about her age, but she couldn't get a clear view on his face, mainly due to his bangs. His clothes were mainly black and dark murky green... but also because all she saw was red
"Krystal." Ship whispered in fright as Krystal lunged forward, snapping at the intruder with her razor sharp fangs.
The first daughter of Ben Tennyson was acting like a wild animal. The boy seemed to be jumping about, trying its best to dodge Krystal's manic predatory snarls and snaps.
"Krystal, calm down. I'm coming." Ship tried to get over; but was stomped on by one of Krystal's legs.
"What the heck?!" James called out as he saw the boy and the Terroranchula. with the whole family running out
"KRYSTAL!" Gwen called out in fright
"..." The unknown figure frowned and saw that he was overwhelmed if he stayed and left via the same sickly purple portal.
"No. It can't be." Ben whispered in shock, seeing the figure and the scythe. but it was wrong. It wasn't right
The figure landed on the floor and glared at Ben...before disappearing through his portal "WAIT!" James called out, trying to stop him, but Krystal's enraged alien was stomping around; the portal disappeared and the family got into action to calm Krystal down.
The family spread out, getting to work
Both James and Ben transformed. Ben transforming into Kek and James transforming into Warlock; both Ben and Isis used their bandages to pin Krystal down.
James, Hope and Gwen used their magic to continue to reinforce the bandages.
Krystal thrashed around, like a wild beast, trying to rip herself out of the bindings.
"I've got her legs!" Looma called out as she and Fifi went over and separated her legs from the floor to get her onto her back. The two strong women groaning as they used their strength to keep the legs pinned
"Calm down, Krystal! We're here!" Ben called out, trying to calm his daughter down but his cries where met with death ears
"We have to get her back!" James spoke, pinning her to the ground with his magic
"Krystal!" The kids yelled, running out of the house
"Huh?" The parents asked
"NO! Stay back!" Selene called out but they didn't
They all ran close and hugged the giant spider that was their sister tightly
The spider-alien hissed and began to calm down, feeling the number of mini hands and arms hugging her, calming her down.
"Ship! Where are you?" James called out as Krystal was soothing down.
"Krystal! Come back!" Luna cried gently
"Krissy!" Kitty cried
"You're not a big bug!" Scout urged before he blinked "Well... You kinda are but... Not like this!"
"Hmph!" Krystal humped, meaning her sense of humour was coming back
The Nemetrix began to beep, but it was not the normal beep. It was a slower, deeper one.
One that Ben use to dread as a child
'Come on, come on.' Ben thought, hoping the time out would come quicker 'Just a bit longer.'
"Krystal." Ship said with heartbreak as she reformed
FLASH!
Krystal was pinned down, panting heavily as she was sweating in pain and fear. She didn't know WHAT just happened, but right now; she was happy for it to be over.
"Hi everyone..." She whispered, passing out
*Time skip*
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Krystal mumbled as she awoke, staring up at a white ceiling. Krystal was connected to a monitor and had an oxygen mask over her face, currently in a hospital-laboratory bedroom with a waiting Fifi sitting in a chair.
"You're awake." Fifi whispered, going to her step-daughter.
"Wh-where-?" Krystal asked tiredly.
"We're at Eunice's station. We brought you here after you transformed back." Fifi answered "She's running tests on the gate and on both you and the... The Nemetrix."
"It. Reacted again?" Krystal frowned, reaching up to it.
"You transformed." She said simply
"...What did I destroy?" She asked nervously.
"Nothing, nothing at all. It was fine." Fifi assured
"Any-?" Krystal asked
"No deaths either." Fifi stroked her head. "We were quick."
Krystal frowned, confused how she transformed again and angry she became a mindless beast once more "Damn it." she hissed
"Do you remember what triggered it?" Fifi asked
"The guy tried to cut my neck." She mumbled
Fifi inverted her lips and imagined the blade at her own neck 'Oh pour girl.' she thought before she sighed "I hope you're okay."
"I feel a little better." Krystal answered. "Thank you."
Fifi nodded and held her gently "You able to stand? Or do you want me to get the others?"
"...Can you get the others please?" Krystal asked timidly. She hadn't felt this weak in a long time.
Fifi nodded, kissing her daughter's forehead before she left
Krystal sighed gently, looking at the monitor, seeing her status and heard the rhythmic beeping.
Everything looked alright
"Hey, baby-girl." Ben spoke, scared seeing his daughter here; but he was relieved that she would be okay
"Hey sis." Euince nodded as she walked in wearing black high heeled ankle high boots, a skintight white bodysuit with a black belt and black accents around her hips, legs, stomach and chest
"Hey, what's up doc?" Krystal joked as she tried to get up.
"How are you feeling?" Euince asked professionally
"Exhausted. Mama Fifi told me what happened." Krystal answered
"You don't know the half of it." Euince sighed
"What's the other half?" Krystal asked in worry, not knowing what else there was.
Euince sat down, a holographic computer screen appearing "So I did my thing. Ran tests and more tests and more."
"And what's the damage?" Krystal gulped as she instinctively went for her father's hand. Ben squeezed back, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb
"Well first off, the Nemetrix is more complicated than we thought." Euince explained "It's almost like a parasite, to a fully sentient species. When you use it, it releases endorphins which make you WANT to use it again. But that's just some extra info, for now we need to look at the important question. Why you transformed. And that is connected to what happened to the World Gate."
"What's the 'World Gate'?" Krystal asked
"It's what I call the portal." She said nervously "I feel like it's a good name. Better than the 'multiverse portal'. Sounds boring."
"...That's a good name." Krystal answered
"I know she got the naming part from me." Ben joked gently.
"I'm all mum, dad." Euince laughed softly
"Let me have that." Ben answered
"So the Nemetrix is trying to take me over? Like a tapeworm or a fungus?" Krystal asked...shuddering at the thought of being controlled like a fungus controlled ant.
"Sort of." Euince frowned "Think of it more like... A sugary drink. You drink it, the sugar makes you crave more, you have more. And the winner is the drink maker, or in this case the Nemetrix. It's non sentient, it's just how it reacts to your fully evolved brain. But, again, getting off track. Back to what happened with the World Gate."
"So what is it? It looked like a purple slime portal." Krystal asked
"Putting it simply? It was." Euince shrugged
"Where did it come from?" Krystal asked
"Another universe, keep up." Euince joked "Because it was forcing its way through the portal in an 'unnatural way' that's why the portal went like that. And I say unnatural because, while it came from another universe, whoever this was seems to have a 'problem' and is literally leaking anti-matter."
"Anti-Matter? Won't that explode matter if it comes into contact with it?" Ben asked
"That's what's confusing about it." She nodded "From my scans it's like the anti-matter is wrapped in a layer of dark matter and... Warped. I had similar readings from you, dad, a while ago."
"You mean when I was Multiverse Jumping?" Ben surmised
"Yes. But it isn't on James. Meaning it's from one certain world." Euince said grimly
"Which asks the question: which world?" Ben added, thinking gently but he knew which one. He just didn't want to admit it
"Dad, what's wrong?" Krystal asked, seeing he wasn't speaking.
"... The world Reaper is from." Ben admitted
Eunice and Krystal's eyes widened. "R-Reaper?"
"But, didn't you kill him?" Eunice asked
"Yes." He nodded
"How is he back?" Krystal asked, hr heart thumping louder on the monitor.
"He isn't." Ben shook his head "That person was too young. Plus he had the scythe on an actual stick, like its supposed to, not as a replacement hand."
"So not a clone and NOT a double from a similar timeline then." Eunice answered, helping calm Krystal down.
"There wold not be a duplicate timeline." Ben explained "His universe and ours where battling for which one is the 'main' universe. There are no duplicate universes as ours, every universe branch from this world."
"Then what else is there?" Krystal frowned
"Doesn't matter right now." Euince shook her head "Listen. What happened was the radiation being so close to the Nemetrix set it off, your survival instincts kicking in."
Krystal nodded and looked at her sister with appreciation. Euince held her hand, smiling at her. Krystal yawned gently as the oxygen and the setting was making her fall to sleep again. 'This... Just isn't my day.' she thought
"We'll let you get to sleep. Okay?" Ben stroked her head even if he knew Krystal couldn't hear him right now. Ben and Eunice left Krystal to her rest; knowing that this wouldn't be the best place to talk "We need to speak to everyone." Ben stated simply
Eunice nodded and the two left Krystal to sleep.
Closing the door behind her, Eunice and Ben went to the waiting area, where the family were waiting and worried for Krystal "She's fine." Ben assured darkly
"YOU don't, Ben. What happened in there." Gwen asked, hearing the tone in his voice.
"We worked it out." He admitted "That kid is somehow related to Reaper. He was after my family... I thought I didn't have to deal with this guy again."
"Reaper? The monster-you?" Luna coward in Selene's arms. The kids were told about him and compared him to the bogyman. The other Ben who tried to kill OTHER Ben's because he was such a spoilt brat he refused to accept he lost
"Yeah, that's right." Ben nodded sadly, stroking her head.
"What are we to do? Fortify the house? Add warnings" Looma and Attea asked, giving good suggestions.
"I need to find and stop this guy." Ben frowned
"So we're gonna have to find his energy signature." Rook Shar spoke thoughtfully.
"I'll help to." James said
"No son, your friends need you." Helen shook her head
"But Krystal-" James went defensive.
"WE will help. We're not complacent. We'll do what we can." Looma answered
"We love you James. We know you want to help." Attea assured "And we know you'd be a great help... But we don't want you to be ruled by your connection to us. Besides, as your mother's said, your friends need you."
"Okay. Okay." James sighed and nodded as Attea put her hand on his shoulder. "...Can I leave her a gift though?"
"Of course. We're family." EightEight grinned
"I'll have to go back to the house and grab it." James added "It won't take too long."
"I'll send you down." Euince assured, setting up the teleporter
"Thanks, Eunice."James answered. "I'll be right back."
FLASH!
"Such a good guy." Atem whispered, respecting his brother.
"He's grown up." Hope smiled proudly
"They both have." Ben whispered, looking off into the distance at the room Krystal was resting in with pride
"We need to plan to stop this other Ben that's appeared." Gwen added, standing next to Ben
"I'll speak to Grandpa." Ben stated simply, walking away
"Ben." Gwen frowned, not having seen Ben act like this in a long while as he was going full hero mode
"Is he gonna be okay, mum?" Eunice asked in worry
"I hope so." She nodded as we zoom through the building and back to Krystal
Krystal was currently sleeping, Ship was back by her side but hadn't merged back with her
No, she was standing watch
'Sleep well.' She thought as she guarded Krystal and James came in with a present for her "James." She whispered
"Hey." he nodded "She back to sleep?" James whispered
Ship nodded gently as James went over and placed a small present down by Krystal's bedside table "What's that?" She asked
"A gift from my home. It's a new purse...Mum said she needed a new one." James answered
"Well, you know Krystal. Rushed around." Ship smiled
"Hmm. But this one won't get blasted by laser fire." James added. "Special weave."
"Hmm." Ship nodded, looking down guiltily
James sighed and patted her head. "Don't blame yourself."
"I... Was useless." She hissed
"You weren't useless." James sat down next to her. "You were caught unawares by something you haven't fought before."
"I mean to Krystal." Ship said simply
"How do you mean?" James asked kindly
"I was supposed to go in the Nemetrix if she ever transformed again, help her control it." she explained
"And what stopped you?" James asked
"I-I was...Scared." Ship answered. She knelt down, almost falling to her knees
"Hey, hey. I gotcha." James got down and caught her.
"I was scared... And useless." She cried. James held her close and hushed her gently.
"You... Aren't useless." Krystal said suddenly
"Krystal?" James and Ship looked up
"You're meant to be asleep." James added
"How much did you hear?" Ship gulped
"All of it." She said simply, grasping Ship's hand
"I-I'm so-" Ship tried to apologize, sounding like she was crying.
"You did nothing wrong." Krystal smiled and kissed her forehead "You did your best." she rubbed Ship's head gently. a loving smile on her face "Everything will be fine."