WARNING: Most of this story is just an old fanboy rewriting most of Ultimate Alien to be "better", but is probably gonna be C+ comparable at best.
PROLOGUE
It had been a whole year since the proclaimed "best summer ever" for Ben Tennyson, which so happened to be the same year he had claimed the Omnitrix, a rumored alien device which allowed him to transform into 10 (at the time) different aliens, which he decided to use to do what he always wanted to; simply help people.
As of now, the now 11-year-old hero was currently on a second cross country road trip with grandfather Max Tennyson and cousin Gwen. They were 2 weeks into their journey as they were driving through the heart of New Mexico.
Gwen: Back in sunny, heat-ridden New Mexico. Let's just this time a certain doofus doesn't get targeted by 3 bounty hunters this time.
Ben: Hey, last I checked, it was 2! Remember Tetrax?
Max: She does have a point, Ben. Though we don't have to worry about those 2 for a long while, it would be best to keep a vigil eye out.
Ben gave his grandfather a hum in approval as he sat with Gwen at the table, looking out the window, looking curiously at some dark mass out in the distance.
Ben: What's that out there?
Gwen: Really? I'd thought that the guy with the alien watch would know about the place with the highest… Everything about aliens. Then again, maybe I got my hopes too high.
Ben: *annoyed* When will you stop that, Dweeb?!
Gwen: When will you stop being a doofus?
Max: Alright, both of you, calm down. Gwen, in all fairness, Ben doesn;t know everything about aliens, much like you. And to answer your question, Ben, that "mass" out there happens to be Area 51. I can assume you at least heard of it?
Ben: Area 51?... Oh yeah! You mean that top secret government place where they study aliens?
Gwen: Allegedly study aliens.
Max: Not exactly. Area 51 is meant to be a holding place for extraterrestrial items, such as ships and weapons, along with even arresting hostile aliens that they find crashed in the desert.
Ben: Woah… Have you been there, Grandpa?
Max: *chuckles* Once in my old Plumber days, it was… a really interesting experience, to say the least.
As the RV kept its voyage, Ben simply kept watching the view from the window, bored out of his mind as he saw the shrinking form of Area 51. As Ben's eyes grew heavy, he felt….. Something within his head. It was like his mind was a computer that received an e-mail, and the message was a simple word on caps lock.
"HELP"
The boy sharply gasped in shock and sat up, startling Gwen as she was on her laptop.
Gwen: What's up with you?
Ben: Did, uh…. Did you hear someone call for help?
She gave him a confused look, which was replaced by one of surprise as a loud booming sound was heard. Both children looked out the window, spotting a plume of smoke rising from the distance.
Ben: Well… *grasps Omnitrix* Time to get to work.
—-
After an explosive fight against the returning Dr Aloysius Animo and some giant Mutant hamster with Heatblast, Ben was left surprisingly more exhausted than usual, deciding to take a nap in the back of the Rust Bucket as Max stopped at a truck stop. However, Ben was seen tossing and turning in his sleep, as if he was having a nightmare. However, instead of some dream, he saw he was in some brightly colored realm of light. He couldn't make sense of it as he looked around him, only for when he look forward once more, he yelped and stepped back in surprise at the newcomer.
This newcomer happened to be some sort of humanoid alien creature with a thin body and limbs, along with light blue skin and large cat-like ears. The alien's eyes were large and wide with red irises, though they held a sort of childish innocence and curiosity while a long, tentacle-like tail waved behind it as a dip in front of his face resembling a snout jutted forth. The alien proceeded to speak in a young voice, much like his own.
?: You….. You can hear me…..
Ben: Uh…. Yeah, I guess…. Who are you?
The alien didn't answer, only for him look Ben down and his eyes to widen at the sight of the familiar alien watch.
?: The Omnitrix…. You have the Omnitrix…. Does that mean… Does that mean YOU'RE the legendary Ben Tennyson?!
Ben: *perks up* I'm legendary l? Wait….
He was kinda stoked at the fact he was a little bit of a legend of the universe, but that only seemed to make him suspicious as he reached for the watch.
Ben: You're not trying to steal it, are you?
?: No no no, I'm no thief! I'm communicating with you for the exact opposite…. I need your help.
Ben: My…. My help? With what?
?: I'm being held captive on a facility near your location. I've been trapped for 2 of your Earth weeks and these humans keep questioning me and keep wanting to experiment on me.
Ben: What?! Why would they want you?
?: They want to study my psychic abilities. I'm able to create a small channel to telepathically talk to you now that their tampering field is down for repairs.
Ben: Near my location…..
He recalled the drive earlier… And what Granpda Max had told him about a certain alien studying base.
Ben: You're being held in Area 51!
?: Yeah. I am…. I don't like it here, Ben Tennyson. It's bright and scary and I….. it gives me a headache….
Ben: Woah. Sounds horrible.
?: It is, but that isn't it. I-I haven't been complying with them and they say I don't agree to their studies by tomorrow morning, they'll…
He didn't even say anything, looking down in unbridled fear. But Ben, though young, understood the severity of the situation this alien was in. Suddenly, the realm around them began to qualify and waver.
Ben: W-What's going on?!
?: They must have gotten the tamper field back up, it's-it's messing with my ability to communicate to you.
The wavering got even worse as the alien began to fade and Ben began to feel himself wake.
?: I don't have much time before tomorrow! Please, save me, Ben Tennyson! You're my last hope!
Ben: I… Don't worry, I'll get you out of there! I promise! I promise!
As he repeated his last phrase, Ben suddenly awoke, breathing rapidly as Gwen and Max returned to the Rust Bucket, looking concerned.
Max: What's wrong, sport? Another one of those nightmares?
Gwen: *smug* Or maybe you just remembered how much of a dweeb you are?
Ben: Not now, Gwen. Right now, we gotta go to Area 51!
Gwen: *surprised* What?
Ben: While I was asleep, this- this alien was talking to me with his mind powers and he said he's being imprisoned there! And they're gonna kill him tomorrow morning if we save him!
Gwen continued to stare at Ben in shock as the older man tried to support him by placing a hand on the boy's shoulder.
Max: Woah there, Ben. This seems pretty intense of an accusation. Are you sure this wasn't a dream?
Ben: I'm sure of it, it was too real to be a dream! It was like the vision I had of Vilgax last year.
Gwen: It does seem serious, but there are some things to consider here. 1. You need to HAVE a mind for someone to use mind powers on you. 2. Breaking into Area 51 is a big no-no and last I checked, heroes don't break the law. And 3. Even if this alien that spoke to you is real, what if he's tricking you to escape and conquer the galaxy or even get the Omnitrix for himself?
Ben: But, he…. He seemed nice enough.
Gwen: Isn't that what you said about Kevin?
Ben: That's different! I-
Max: Ben… She's right.
Ben: What?! Grandpa, you can;t be serious!
Max: I'm sorry, Ben, but this seems too risky without proper proof of something like this other than from a dream or a telepathic message. The Plumbers don't even have jurisdiction to investigate Area 51 without external government clearance.
Ben: But I…. I promised him.
Max: *sympathtic* I'm sorry, Ben… But the answer's no.
Ben looked down to the floor, feeling not only guilty, but slightly betrayed. If he didn't do anything, that alien that begged for his help was going to die by tomorrow morning and it would be his fault, just because his grandpa and cousin wouldn't side with him. With this in mind, he sat at the table as he let his thoughts wash over him.
Later on, the RV is seen parked off the road in the desert in the late hours of the night. Inside, it shows all three Tennysons asleep in their beds…. Only to show that Ben's bed was occupying a large wad of clothes. The real Ben was slipping on a small hoodie he packed in order to cover his face as he made his way to the camper door and turned to his sleeping family.
Ben: *hushed voice* You two can sleep all you want… But I'm gonna make sure I keep my promise to him.
—-
A good distance away from the Rust Bucket, Ben is seen crouching behind a rock outside of a wired fence which encased the ever famous Area 51. He spotted that not too far from him was the booth containing the guard in charge of front Lookout.
Ben: *to himself* I can't just bust in, I'll only get him hurt… Looks like it's sneaking time… Okay, not exactly my best, but this is a one-time line.
He then proceeded to turn the dial of the Omnitrix and slam it down, enveloping him in a green flash. As the flash dissipated, the boy was replaced by a disappointed Lepidoterran.
Stinkfly: *sarcastic* Great. I get the walking stink factory the one time I wanted Grey Matter.
The massive insectoid flapped his wings and took off, hovering over the fence and staying high enough to avoid detection from the searchlights and snipers. As he approached the roof of the building's corner, 2 snipers were seen aiming their rifles at the ground. Stinkfly fired a slimeball from his eyestalk at one, sending him to the ground as the other guard looked behind him, only to see Stinkfly land and look at him menacingly.
Stinkfly: The aliens you experiment on! Where are they?!
Guard: *begins aiming* Go to Hell!
Stinkfly swung on a dime, using his stinger to knock the gun away as he gripped onto the guards arms with his pincers and held him over the edge of the roof.
Stinkfly: Trust me when I say if you don't like me now that I'm smelly…. You'll HATE it when I'm angry. The aliens! NOW!
Guard: *afraid* S-S-Second level…. That's all I know, I-I promise!
Stinkfly simply glared as cocoons the guard in slime and left him dangling from the roof's edge just as the Omnitrix timed out with another bright green flash, reverting him back to Ben as he ran to the door on the roof. As he went down a fleet of stairs, he saw a big painted number on the wall…. The number was "9".
Ben: *exasperated* What is it with government guys and stairs?!
Ben continued his descent, growing more and more tired as he kept going downward. As he breached level 5, he stopped at the nearby door and heard people talking in the hall outside.
Guard: So, any info on the psychic alien?
Guard 2: Which one?
Guard: The blue one. You know, the cat-looking one begging us to let it go.
Guard 2: Oh, that one? Still not being cooperative.
Guard: Really now? You'd think after 2 weeks, they'd listen.
Guard 2: Yeah, bit of a shame we're wasting it tomorrow. And it's my day off too, so I got a busy weekend.
Ben: *horrified* No….
Guard: What was that?
He gasped as he heard the footsteps approach and turned to the Omnitrix, pressing the button to turn the dial.
Ben: Come on, come on. Give me something that can get me out of this without causing too much damage!
He slammed the dial down as he transformed again, this time into a form he hadn't used in a truly long while.
Benmummy: The mummy? Not exactly what I had in mind, but okay. I really gotta come up with a name for this guy.
Suddenly, the door into the hallway burst open, 2 guards stepping out with their guns raised.
Guard: Freeze, Pharoah Boy! Hands where we can see 'em!
Benmummy: Hands up?... Sure, here ya go!
The mummy then raised his hands, only for his bandage-like fingers to stretch and ensnare the guards before throwing them down the stairs nar him.
Benmummy: Looks like you're all wrapped up!
He then spotted a large vent on the wall, stretching his fingers again the grip the vent cover and rip it off.
Benmummy: Man, I really gotta use this guy more! He snares stuff no problem!... Hey, that guy called me a pharaoh…. I think I got the perfect name! *clings to vnt* Snare-Oh! Yeah… Yeah, I can work with that.
The newly named Snare-Oh jumped and repelled himself into the vent opening, crawling through the shaft, which was surprisingly easier than he thought. He had no idea where he was even going, but something, he didn't know what or how…. But it was guiding him through the vents. Even as he turned back, Ben was surprised to see that the feeling was still there. It was as if someone or something was leading him to where he needed to go.
Ben: 'I really hope I'm going the right way. They could waste him in a few minutes as far as I know.'
Eventually, Ben found a vent after sliding down a slope and looked through the grate. On the other side, he gasped as he spotted the alien from his vision. He admittedly had a small suspicion about the legitimacy of the creature, but seeing him in a cell, unconscious and strapped to a chair with sensors attached to his forehead was enough to make him want to rub it in Gwen's face when he got back.
Ben: There he is….
With all of his strength, he kicked the vent grate off and dropped down from the opening. The clang awoke the alien, making him fearfully look around before stopping and gasping at Ben as he made his way to the glass door, showing his face to reassure the alien.
?: You….. You came for me?
Ben: Of course I did. I promised, didn't I?
The alien looked like he was about to cry as Ben approached the door, trying to pry it open to no avail.
Ben: How do I open it?
?: There should be a panel next to the door that activates the cell controls.
The boy looked over to see a tablet-like screen mounted onto the doorframe.
Ben: *approaches screen* Do you know how to unlock it?
?: This call may dampen my power, but I can still look at a mirror. First off, there should be a green button in the bottom-right corner.
Ben: *taps screen* Got it.
?: Now, on that next menu, there should be a blue one with a square and an arch above it.
Ben: Pretty sure that's a lock.
He taps the button as stated, only for the console's screen to zoom in, showing that same button on a sliding bar.
?: Are you on some type of slide menu?
Ben: Yeah. Do I…. Slide it to the right?
?: *smiles* You're as wise as they say you are, Ben Tennyson.
Ben: *smirks* Well, I would use awesome, but….
He proceeded to slide his finger on the screen, which then flashes green and the door hissed and slid open.
?: Alright, you did it! Now get me out of here, please!
Ben nodded and stepped into the cell, only for an alarm to blare and flashing lights to spur on the ceiling.
Voice: WARNING! WARNING! UNRECOGNIZED PERSONNEL IN RESEARCH BLOCK T! UNRECOGNIZED PERSONNEL IN RESEARCH BLOCK T!
Ben: Oh, crap!
?: Hurry, they're coming! The switches for the chair restraints should be on the back of it!
Ben ran to the back of the chair to locate the switches, only to be met with the door at the end of the room being kicked open as a small battalion armed with blasters swarming into the room.
Guard: There's the intruder! He's trying to free the alien!
Guard 2: Step away from the alien and put your hands behind your head!
Ben: I don't know why you want to hurt this guy…. But I'm not gonna let you hurt him! *dials Omnitrix* And I know just the hero to help…
As the battalion readied their weapons, Ben slammed the dial again, changing his shape into a recent favorite of his, ths eig the form of the Conductoid, Feedback.
Feedback: Alright, finally got the guy i wanted!
?: A Conductoid?... Interesting.
Guard 2: He's a shapeshifter! FIRE!
All of the guards fired their laser blasters at Feedback, only for him to extend his plug-like antennae forth and absorb the blasts.
Feedback: What's the old saying again?... Oh, right. What goes around, comes around!
The Conductoid sent a hand forth, firing an energy blast at the small squadron, striking them and kicking up smoke.
Feedback: Sweet! *to alien* And now for you…
With a spark jumping in his hand, Feedback pressed it into the back of the chair, frying it and forcing the locks keeping the captors wrists and ankles bound to open. With a smile of gratitude towards the Conductoid, he pried the sensor off his forehead and stood.
?: Thank you. Now, allow me to return the favor.
Multiple guards stormed forward through the dissipating smoke, but suddenly, they began to stop and levitate in the air. Feedback looks to see the alien looking at the soldiers with his arms and hands raised up before crossing and separating them, causing the soldiers to be sent careening into the walls, leaving the hero impressed.
Feedback: Woah.
?: Quick, before more show up!
The alien ran out of the room with Feedback in tow, draining an alarm light to blast a door lock and let them through. With a frown, red, blue, and yellow energy formed in the alien's hands as he sent them in front of himself, firing the energy and blowing a hole in the wall.
?: So, what now?!
Feedback: Uh….. Being honest, I didn't think I'd get this far.
He looked at Feedback in astonishment before they both jumped out of the wall and onto the ground as more soldiers came from the hallway behind them, the pair running as the soldiers arrived at the hole.
Guard: YOU! STOP! THAT ALIEN IS GOVERNMENT PROPERTY!
?: I'm no one's property, but my own!
The guards fired at them, only for Feedback to absorb the blasts from behind and burn a hole through the fence just as they reached it.
?: Any ideas?!
Feedback: Just keep running!
?: …I could've thought of that.
—-
A half hour of evasion later, many cars from Area 51 were still patrolling the area, trying to find Ben and the alien. But little did they know that the two dipped in a small pit behind a rock, Ben looked behind the massive stone to see a car drive by, sighing as he approached the alien and took off the hoodie.
Ben: Alright… We should be good for now. But maybe we should rest here for a little before we go to the Rust Bucket.
?: I dunno what that is, but I'm all for rest.
Ben walked a short distance away, grabbing some wayward sticks from a nearby tree before setting them up.
?: You know, I…. I can never thank you enough for getting me out of there, Ben Tennyson.
Ben: Dude, just Ben's fine. And it's no problem. I'm a hero, it's what I do… Hey, what did you mean by me being legendary?
?: Are you kidding? After the stuff that happened back on Xenon regarding the Omnitrix's self-destruct scare? Everyone in several star systems knows who you are, how you protected the last Petrosapien and even the device's creator.
Ben: I…. Don't really like talking about that place…
Ben set the sticks in a small pile and was about to dial Heatblast again, only for the alien to form a red hexagonal shape in his hand and throw it into the sticks, causing a small flame to appear and grow bigger with the sticks.
Ben: Woah… How can you do all of that? The stuff that blew up the wall and the fire, I mean.
?: My race is proficient in PSI, or psychic powers. We can pretty much do anything with these abilities. Fly, shoot elemental energies, levitate things. Flying's a really advanced skill, though. How'd you find me in that horrific place, anyway?
Ben: I honestly don't know. While I was in the vents looking for you, I just kept having this weird feeling. Its… it's like I knew where to go, but I didn't. Like I was being pulled towards you with my thoughts.
?: Really? Oh… I think I know.
Ben: What?
?: When I communicated with you in your sleep, I think I created an empathetic connection between us.
Ben: An… Emphasis what?
?: You and I made a connection with our minds when we spoke earlier in your subconscious. That's probably how you managed to find me.
Ben nodded as he leaned back, looking up at the starry sky and letting it all sink in. After what he'd done behind Max's back, he'd probably be grounded for life or maybe even sent home. But at the very least, he felt he did the right thing. He saved the alien who was begging to not die as he also looked to the sky.
?: You know… I wanted to do with this planet as soon as I was captured. But seeing that sky, maybe… Maybe not ALL of it is bad.
Ben: Thanks, uh… Wait…. I just realized. You never told me your name!
The alien slightly froze at this, looking at Ben with slight embarrassment… And maybe even worry.
?: Uh…. The thing is…. I don't have one.
Ben: Really?
?: Ben, I've never even MET another one of my kind. I only know what I am through rumors as I travel the universe for a home. I just… never thought a name would be important at the time.
Ben: Huh…..
Ben simply looked back at the sky, noticing the alien looking up in wonder at the stars. The guy's personality and kindness kinda reminded him of some kid he was "friends" with in kindergarten, some other weird kid named "Charley". And from how the alien looked at the night in such wonder as they sat by the fire….
Ben: Hey, uh, since you don't have a name…. How about I call you "Starley"?
?: Starley?... *smiles* I like it.
And so, the two continued to lay by the fire as it died out, both of them eventually falling asleep. Though at the early hours of dawn, Ben was awoken by the sound of an approaching vehicle. He got worried of the thought of it being a military car, though he saw the vehicle was instead his home on the road. He shook Starley awake, who groggily mumbled and rubbed his eyes, surprised to see himself outside, like the events of last night were but a dream.
Starley: What's going on?
Ben: It's my grandfather. He's uh…. Here for me.
Starley: Oh…. Well, if that's the case, I better get going.
Ben: "Going"? Where?
Starley simply looked back at the sky, as if planning his next move. Just as the Rust Bucket parked right next to them, headlights turning off, Ben got the idea. And to be honest… It kinda hurt to see him go.
Ben: Oh… Are you sure you have to go?
Starley: Ben….. I can't thank you enough for what you've done for me and I feel like we were meant to meet…. But I don't belong on Earth, if my imprisonment taught me anything. So, I just gotta keep going… Going until I find my place in this universe…. If it's any consolation… I'm really gonna miss you.
Ben: I…. I'll miss you two.
He turned away, seeing the shocked looks on Max and Gwen's face as he tried to fight back his feelings. He wasn't gonna cry. Not in front of Gwen, at least. However, Starley placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled at him sympathetically.
Starley: Ben, it's because of you I can continue to find my forever home. You gave me freedom, a name, more than you can list. I'll never forget you… How about we make another promise? One day, in the future…. We'll make sure to see each other again.
Ben jept his face away from the alien, sniffling a little before nodding. However, he proceeded to slip off the hoodie he had been wearing to hide his face and handed it to the alien.
Ben: Starley… I want you to have this. To remember me. At least… remember the good time you had on Earth. After all, I heard space is cold.
Starley smiled sadly as he took the garment, trying to replicate how Ben took it off as he slipped it over his own body.
Starley: I'll treasure it forever….
The two remained standing there as Starley opened his arms for a hug as Ben stuck his hand out to shake. They stare at each other before attempting it again, only for it to happen in reverse. At this point, Starley just took Ben's hands and pressed their foreheads together, both of then smiling as Starley released his hands and slowly began to rise into the air.
Ben: So long, Starley.
Starley: Farewell…. Ben Tennyson.
And just like that, the alien zipped off swiftly, breaching the atmosphere as Ben waved away at the spot where he saw Starley fly off. And with that finished….
He had a bit of a possibly infinite grounding to deal with now.