AN: there were some formatting issues with the docs that were messing up the fic so I deleted it and reuploaded it
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Never thought that I'd end up joining a cult. It was thought that popped up a lot during my time as a recently promoted henchman. Sure, they pass themselves off as "the Organization" to those outside of it so they don't get linked with their crimes. Which were all done in the name of keeping humanity safe of course. But what else could you call an organization of guys dressed up as knights and going around doing shady things all for the sake of the greater good.
Be it gathering up technology for slaying a 1,000-year-old dragon and, of course, the ever-present classic of taking over the world. Which were in reality misunderstandings, one caused by the passage of time over the similarity between a dragon and Dagon, eldritch space squid this cult fended off 1,000 years ago, and, one because the Forever King was being petty that a group of Plumbers kicked him out.
Now, you may be asking, why don't I just report this group of dangerous criminals to the authorities and let them take care of this?
Well, for a few reasons. The technology these guys have been gathering up was alien tech, from civilizations much more advanced than Earth could ever hope to be in the next century, which includes the armor and weapons that they use. Something that the cops could certainly not handle at all and would require the military to handle, and even then they'd be hard-pressed to stand against this group. So it'd do more harm than good to just drop a dime on them.
And like another phobic group, HYDRA, these guys had different factions that acted on their own goals and areas. And though they weren't as international as the Nazi group, they had a sizable presence in the United States and Europe so they could always keep their heads down if the group I was with was taken out.
Lastly, I didn't want them gone just yet. After all, they were founded to protect the Earth from an eldritch monster and its followers, because a cult's greatest enemy would be another cult. Though I suppose this one has some merit since its founder was legit and succeeded in beating the mind-enslaving demon. And while it was a shame that the Forever Knights' goal of protecting the Earth from Dagon shifted into Dragons, into anything alien or supernatural, nothing was stopping them from regaining their true purpose. It happened when old George talked some sense back into everyone when Dagon came back, so it should be possible for me to do it. And we'll do more than just be ready, we'll get the rest of the Earth ready too. Well, I'll make it so after I take over.
Because when you live in a world that's under threat from alien warlords and conquerors, magical abominations, stupidly dangerous technology, extra-dimensional horrors, and more,
You didn't feel quite safe depending on an old man, a spunky young girl, and a ten-year-old brat of a boy with a watch to keep you safe.
And believe me, I wanted to beat Tennyson to the watch, but my insertion and current circumstances along with the fact that I had no idea where the most powerful device in the universe would've landed meant that I was out of luck in that department.
And why not just ditch the Forever Knights and join the Plumbers? Surely they'd be more able to help. Well, besides the fact that these guys know my name and face, the Plumbers on Earth have mostly disbanded. And while I could just waltz into Mount Rushmore and get their attention that way, there was the chance that I wouldn't be so lucky to meet Max Tennyson, and at best be told to fuck off or at worst thrown into the Null Void.
Though I'll admit, joining a xenophobic cult when one was half alien was also not the best thing for my safety. But eh, should push come to shove I'm sure that as a self-trained Anodite I could get myself out of a pickle if I needed to.
But I didn't need my space magic for what I was about to do. I.e., put me at some risk to save Ben Tennyson, currently stuck as Grey Matter, from being dissected.
"They can't do this...to either of us!" Some guy just yelled in outrage.
"And they won't if you listen to me," I said as I came out the door closest to him.
"Ah!" He said in surprise before he got angry again and was about to yell something before I covered his mouth with my palm.
"I can understand your displeasure but don't advertise it so loudly, lest you find yourself unable to fix this," I warned sternly.
His response was muffled but his surprised reaction told me enough.
"Yes, I want you to save the alien. It'd be a waste to dissect him, you know. Now follow along and do as I say or you'll be too late."
"Wait, why are you?-" He asked as soon as he could.
"Get going or by the time you get there it'll be too late to save him!" I interrupted again as I jabbed at him with my sword. He was still wary of me but my words knocked some sense and urgency into him as he followed me along.
It was a pain but I put some effort into knowing the layouts of this mansion, be it the common rooms, laboratories, alien tech storage rooms, and secret passages. And the layouts of the personnel here as well, which was why I was in a bit of a rush as the dissection would begin soon. Though the Omnitrix wouldn't have let Ben die, I couldn't let a kid experience getting his limbs chopped off in good faith, especially when he lacked the durability and renewability of his stronger forms. And it would be a waste to lose the alien tech after Ben blows up the mansion, that would be my tech eventually.
There were a few glances toward us but it was assumed that I was escorting the guy out, so they didn't look much further. Once away from any prying eyes, I sheath my sword and grab one of the guard spears that the empty suits of armor along the halls had. Soon enough we reached the door to where Ben was being held, now we just needed to wait a bit until a scientist could come on by. And when one did and finished opening the password-locked door, I knocked him out using the blunt end of the spear.
"Geez, you don't like your co-workers much, do you?"
"These scientists are not my brothers in arms, I hold no care for them. Now cease your babbling and put the uniform on."
"Wouldn't they let you in just fine?"
"They could be cutting open his guts while you continue to ask useless questions. Do as I say!"
"Alright! It's just- I still can't believe that-" He was babbling until the sound of a laser made itself heard even through the yet-to-be-opened door. The man shut his mouth and rapidly began changing into the uniform.
"You go in there and free the alien. I'll handle anyone else who could interfere with that. Now go." I ordered, to which he quickly nodded his now masked head and went on in.
A few moments later I heard a thud followed by a body falling to the floor and the firing of lasers. Rather than any screams, I could hear the voice of Grey Matter expressing his confusion at the rescue.
And even sooner, two more scientists came by.
"What are you doing here, knight? Don't tell me you wanted to see the alien?" The first scientist asks in disbelief.
"Of course he does, all the squires do, even after becoming knights." The second answered in mirth. "How about this? After we're done with the alien we could let you see its remains, because right now we have no time to entertain a squire."
I said nothing as I moved away from the door and allowed them through. The second scientist just laughed as the first looked at me with a tilted head.
Once their backs were turned I rammed my armored fist into the back of the first's head, sending him to the ground out cold. The second just turned to me right before I gave him a right hook, sending him down as well.
I rushed in to see that the guy just finished freeing Grey Matter and to see the scientist that he knocked out start to raise. I ran over and kicked him on the head with my boot, knocking him out again.
"Ah! What's he doing here!?" The Galvin screed upon seeing me.
"It's hard to believe but he's helping save you."
"Yes, now if you wish to save your cousin and grandfather who came here to save you, I recommend following along with me."
"How do you know that they're!?-"
"Our order keeps an eye out for interesting technology and individuals, and you are very much both. Much too interesting to waste here. Now come along." I said. Grey Matter still looked at me in suspicion but decided to go along with my words. Any help is better than none after all.
After we exited the lab, we came into contact with Gwen and Max.
"Gwen! Grandpa!" Ben said upon the sight of them.
Max was quick to put Gwen behind him as he stared at me in distrust. "What are you doing with my grandson?"
"Grandson!? How the he-" The guy was about to ask before a raise of my hand shut him up.
"We can stand here asking questions until the rest of the knights arrive and dispose of us, or you could follow me as I lead you through a secret exit and avoid such unpleasantness. Need I remind you that you're unarmed and in unfamiliar and hostile territory?"
Max still narrowed his eyes at me but the mention of what fate would await him and Gwen should he fail to go along with me got him to relent.
"Fine, but I want my grandson now," Max demanded.
"Very well," I agreed easily, "Hand the alien over."
"This still makes no sense!" The guy was still babbling his complaints so Ben just jumped out of his hands and other to Gwen's.
"Now follow along and do not dally, I am sticking my neck out for you after all," I ordered sternly before I increased my pace. We had to be careful in avoiding some patrols, but they were far away enough that only a novice would've gained their attention. Soon enough we reached an empty room with a blank wall.
"Don't tell me that you led us to a dead end!?" Gwen complained, to which I only chuckled.
"Haven't you seen a movie, little Anodyne? I do believe I've said that it was a secret exit." I asked with some mirth as I activated a hidden lever, which caused the wall to fall to the ground. Gwen was thoroughly confused while Max's eyes were bulging out though he brought himself under control before either of the kids could notice. He gave me the stink eye for the reference of his Anodite partner's homeworld.
"This is where we part ways. Continue straight along the corridor and you'll find yourself outside and free from any knights spotting you. And some words of warning that I urge you to hear, Tennysons. Vilgax is coming soon and he wants the Omnitrix."
"How the hell do you know about Vilgax!?" Max demanded. Ben and Gwen were alarmed at how I knew their names and of the watch, Max was much more alarmed at the mention of his oldest and greatest enemy coming after his grandson. Enough that he even swore in front of them.
"As I said, we are aware of what lies in the cruelty of the cosmos. The Forever Knights were founded to defend the Earth from it. And though not all of us work towards it, know that some of us still remember our purpose. Goodbye, Tennysons, and enjoy your summer." I said with an air of mystery. And though I was fibbing a bit here and there, I wasn't entirely wrong. There were truly a few that saw beyond what most of the knights had, such as my brothers in arms, and knew of the original purpose. Soon, the Forever Knights will remember what had started them, to forever protect this world.
"What about me?" Crap, I didn't bother to give this guy a name at all, did I? Oh well, I wouldn't be seeing him again and vice versa if he was lucky.
"Don't go to shady organizations you know nothing about, just post it on the internet next time like everyone else. And I'd recommend moving, they know where you live." I warned ominously, the effect furthered by my mask distorting my voice.
"Now go!" I said. The guy didn't need to be told twice as he sprinted out of there. Max very much wanted to grill me on what I knew about Vilgax but could recognize the urgency in my voice, and with some reluctance and urgency pulled his grandkids along.
Once they were far along enough, I shut the secret wall. With that done, I pulled out my sword and went to act as if I was searching. And of course, the only thing that would be found are the four scientists with concussions, one of which was missing their uniform, and a 'missing' suit of armor.
The funny thing about this whole mess is that despite how treacherous my actions may have seemed, I was still loyal to my oaths and the group that swore them, now I just had to remind the group what they swore to.
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And as you could guess from the title, the MC is an Anodite human hybrid and a Forever Knight. They were separate ideas at first but I liked them both too much so I combined them. Of course, the MC's Anodite side won't be explored for a little while as this will be mostly knight heavy for a while.
As mentioned, MC's goal is to take over the Forever Knights and restructure into a group to protect the Earth, and unlike the Plumbers, try to improve the Earth technologically.
The MC isn't hating on Ben, it's just that it'd be hard to rest the fate of the planet solely on his shoulders. Alien Force season 1 has his full confidence, but before and after not so much. So better safe than sorry.
Also a thing I'd like to note, since there's not many named or featured characters in the Forever Knights, I'm going to borrow some knights elsewhere from series like Fate and others. If you have a knight you'd like to recommend, feel free to suggest.
Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed it and leave me your thoughts.