Breaking the Sky: Chapter Six " Point of no Return "

Floating tri-polar electro magnets spring to life igniting Galvanic liquid circuitry. A mainframe as far beyond human technology, as Edison's light bulb was beyond a sharp rock registered an incoming Extra-net communication. The system identified the caller as Magistar Maxwell B Tennyson, and went on to list a lifetime of awards for distinguished service. Azmeth cleared that worthless crap of the screen before answering.

" Magistar Tennyson, this is a conversation I think we should have had far sooner I fear. "

The faster then light communication hung for half a second before receiving a response.

" That's probably right considering recent events. Truth be told I'm more interested if the rumors of you coming to earth are true. "

Azmeth almost growled his response.

" I'd have been there and been done with this by now, but the counsel just had to debate endlessly on the matter. I've been weighted down with half a dozen grad students they insist I babysit. We couldn't send actual fully trained scientists to earth it's a security risk! "

Max's picture froze again as the reply arrived from a universe away.

" Playing by the rules can be rough sometimes, but at times like this it's better to show the younger generation how it should work in a perfect world. "

" Defiantly a talk we should have had years ago. "

**

In Fenton works OPS center, Danny dug around under a control console and found a small dog toy.

" Great I just knew it. Danielle I am going to. . .I don't have any idea what and that's a problem. "

He stuffed the toy in his pocket, and powered up. He turned intangible and floated down to the lab in the basement. Sam and Tucker where sitting around a folding card table looking at a laptop. Danny appeared, and they didn't even notice.

" Hay I'm sorry I'm late, side kick issues. What did you want to talk about?"

Tucker moved the laptop so Danny could see.

" I did some checking on your friends from Bellwood. By and large they all checkout, well most of them. "

Danny say down and shook his head.

" These people are supposed to be clandestine government types, and you got the lowdown on them? I'm impressed. "

Sam looked up from the screen.

" It helped that he had some backing of the monetary kind. "

Tucker tapped the keyboard and started the slide show over again. The fact that Tucker put this in power point made Danny one hundred percent certain he got paid for his trouble. Over the next hour and a half Tuckers work laid it all out for them. Every word Ben had said was for the most part true.

Tennyson Benjamin Kirby

Awarded 47 honors but civilizations across the universe after stopping a universe wide war stared by the Highbreed. His file went back five years to the age of ten, and what information their was on the watch listed it has having something called transfinite power levels.

Tennyson Gwendolyn Ann-Marie

Four pages of data Tucker swore meant she was an average human. They couldn't explain her powers until it looked like they hit her with what ever tech the Guys in White use. She was then reclassified as a scale 7 seedling, with of course no info on what that meant.

Levin Kevin Ethan

The largest file by far marking him as a half Osmosian ex-convict and broker in alien technology. The guys rap sheet included theft of a star liner, and trying to derail a train full of money in New York. He was currently listed as a honorary Plumber on the word of some officer that vouched for him.

" OK that mush be the big Metamopho looking guy. "

Tucker closed the laptop and leaned back in his chair.

" That is it until we we get the 2313 pack. Standard issue introduction kit for people that learn aliens and such are in fact out there. "

Danny took a second to let it all sink in, and then spoke.

" Wow I guess my parents Secret Scientist friends where right after all. You'd think them not being the lest bit secret about wanting to hunt ghosts would keep them from joining. Guys, I think I'm cool with these people being on the same team. "

**

Ben tapped the watch as he looked at his alarm clock. It was almost dawn and he had spent the night filling a notebook with important information. The empty ibuprofen bottle not withstanding, it had been an enlightening evening.

" So let me get this straight, there are just doors kind of around for no reason, and these lead to different places? "

Ember sat Indian-style across from Ben, her back against his TV stand, those skull shaped boots of hers sitting to her right. Ben himself lay on his stomach on his bed taking notes for the past few hours. Something he had to admit was hard to do while he was distracted with a pop star in his room. " Amy " he realized wasn't that much of a disguise.

" Not even close Clown car. Its a door into someplace almost surreal, it can be like Alice falling down the rabbit hole. That or some ice hole the arctic, depends on the door, and on the day. A song isn't always the same not matter how many times you sing it. "

Ben smiled, as he flipped thought his notes.

" I'm afraid to asked what it is with you and music. "

She laughed just a little and it echoed unnaturally around the room.

" Haha, you and music? That's like asking whats with Thor, and thunder. I am the music, or the need to sing. Lots of spooks float around calling themselves the ghost of this or that. I never did, they just started calling me things like the ghost of teenage rebellion, or something. I just want to hear them call my name, that's all. "

Ben sat their listening to her talk, trying to size up just who and what he was dealing with, knowing she was doing the same. It was almost like chess . . .he thought because he had no idea how to play that game. Still it was a lot of testing the waters, a bit of give and take of information, and lots of just talking. Ember wouldn't be half bad if she wasn't an alien energy person from another dimension with delusions of grandeur. Even if that was coming in handy right now. She yawned and as she did her body turned transparent for a moment, and Ben winced.

"Umm "

" Yes Clown car we get tired, we eat potato chips and this ghost is out of here so she can find a shower and her bed. Just remember I've got a concert in the works, and I'm inviting your kind of people. Till then. "

Her hair wrapped around her a cross between a fire snake, and a robe and she vanished in a flash.

Ben laid his head down, and closed his eyes.

" My kind of people? "

**

Kevin and Gwen sat in his car in the parking lot of what used to me Mr. Smoothie. They looked down at the 10 inch plasma screen in the dashboard. A black haired woman, with pale green skin, and what Gwen would call unnaturally green eyes appeared on the screen. One of Kevin's " contacts " he'd called in a favor with for some information. Kevin smiled and spoke in a tone of voice way to happy for Gwen to be comfortable with.

" Shego, it's been forever! How ya been? "

" Aww look at you little Kev all gown up! It seems like just yesterday I caught you robbing an ice cream store for the ice cream. "

Kevin laughed, and Gwen fought a loosing battle to keep from smiling.

" Haha Shego I told you I didn't know you had to grow syntho-drones in a deep freeze. "

Their was a loud crash in the background and Shego looked to her right, wincing.

" Oh great, Doctor D got the idea that boosting cable is so 1990, and he's trying to build an up-link so he can take over a TV satellite. . . and well you know who just just did her thing. . . ."

Kevin frowned at the thought of having to cut this short before he could ask for help, Shego continued to talk before he could say anything.

" . . .Good thing I used a personal day today, because I am just in no mood for naked mole rats, and getting the smell out burning plastic out of my hair. This is why I kept telling you kid get a rep then find a nice contract job that allows for freelancing work on the side. By the time princess with the grapple gun over their hits senior prom I'll be in the Caribbean running a bar serving drinks out of coconuts. "

" I'll have to stop by for the opening. "

Shego took a motherly tone with Kevin that made Gwen relax.

" What are you nuts? You won't be legal by then! Now what did you want to know about the security screen over Amity park?"

Kevin peeked at a note pad to get the working right.

" It's got a level four filter on it, and that means GJ has a strike team on call for if the screen goes down, or whatever local player gets out of control. I need to know if this Phantom kid is going to get in my way if I do business in that town. "

Shego looked away from the screen herself like she was reading something off another monitor.

" Looks like the kids parents are either in the Secret Scientists or hang around with them, and everyone in that group is under surveillance. Some kind of inner conflict over a 12 year old with power on a narrow but potentially global scale. They are afraid they might go looking for allies if things get worse and go global. Kevin its Solomon Saturday and his family are you playing backup for Doyle Blackwell and Van Rook again? That cheap skate will leave you out in the cold if it saves him bus fair. "

Gwen raised an eyebrow watching the conversation. This was the first time she'd ever seen anyone from Kevin's past that wasn't entirely a business contact.

" Blackwell is solo these days, and he went to ground about 6 months ago. I didn't know why till now Shego, and no I'm just after info on the Danny Phantom kid. "

She looked back into the camera before continuing.

" I've got nothing that tells me he's anything other then a local do-gooder that deals in the paranormal. I think Vlad Masters used to but heads with him before he ended up on the FBI's most wanted list. Keep your head down, and blend, he should ignore you. "

Kevin spoke one last time before ending the call.

" Thanks Shego, I got to run. Take care. "

" Later little Kev. "

The screen went dark, and Gwen looked at her boyfriend.

" Kevin who was that? "

" Shego. . . She showed me the ropes after I got out of the null-void. They say if she likes you've got a bright future in the merc biz because she can't stand fools. If that woman knew I was a Plumber I'd be in for some very hot energy beams to the face. "

" Interesting company you keep Little Kev. "

" Sure " Lucky Girl ", we've got what we wanted, we know Danny Phantoms on the level. "

Gwen smiled.

" Because your old friend things he a do-gooder? "

" Pretty much yea. So lets go have us a talk with a ghost. "

**

Ben opened his eyes at the crack of noon, and rolled out of bed still in the cloths he wore last night. He lumbered down stairs in search of pop tarts and caffeine. He looked at the watch out of reflex, and the face was green for once. The boy stopped on the stairs as if taking two more steps to the floor would cause the thing to lock up again.

" OK my little friend, let's see if my backwards Russian is any good. "

A few tapped controls later and the watch turned blue, and the control dial began spinning clockwise on its own.

" That's what I'm talking about! "

The Omnitrix turned red and stopped like a child's toy with a dead battery. Ben hung his head.

" That was so wrong. "

Lumbering defeated into the kitchen he saw his grandfather entering the back door.

" Ben, we need to talk, right away. "

Ben whispered a prayer to the gods of toaster born pastry for deliverance, and sat down at the kitchen table with Grandpa.

" Whats up? "

" Azmeth and I had a long talk, and for the time being he's shutting down the Omnitrix. You are on the bench for a little while Ben. "

He stood up like a rocket, his chair falling backwards to the floor.

" What!? Is that why this thing just went off? Last night I almost got killed because it locked up almost like someone flipped a switch at just the wrong moment, was that him too? "

Ben started violently working the watches dead controls, almost screaming at it.

" So this is how it ends ? You're afraid of ghosts so you pull the plug on me after everything I've been through, and done? Answer me you little . . . "

His Grandfather garbed his hand pulling it away from the watch.

" Ben calm down! "

Ben pulled away angrily.

" No I will not calm down! The ghost zone is full of things Azmeth doesn't understand for once and he's scared fine! I spent last night pumping "Amy" for information with a watch that wouldn't have worked if I needed it to. The information he's after! "

For once Max lost his temper.

" You had her here, in your house with your parents ?! You put them in danger, Benjamin! "

" Nothing I have ever done to this watch has made it time out for longer then a half hour, it's been locked up since last night, and now it's dead! This thing is not and never has been broken! He's been screwing with me and looking for an excuse to take the Omnitrix back since Vilgax came back I know it! "

" Even if it was working they could still get hurt! "

Ben continued on determined to power on through.

" She followed me home! What was I going to do, tell her to get out? "

" CALL FOR HELP, AND STALL TILL IT GETS THEIR! "

" And if she picked up on it, I might have a fight on my . . .Oh screw this! You made up your mind already."

Ben stormed out, slamming the door.

**

Albedo walked into Bellwood general hospital, and looked around for service drone two tech levels away from this planets current ability to make. He of course didn't find one, so he walked over to the front desk and found a woman named Betty.

" You there! I need to inquire as to the location of one of your patients. "

She looked up at him seeing his stark white hair, unnatural eyes, and smug attitude.

" You on something kid? "

" Yes borrowed time! Now you . . . "

Albedo trailed off as he noticed someone in a blue Global justice uniform walk out of a near by bathroom. He smiled a arrogant smile, and talked off. The nurse glad to be rid of another quack.

" You there, local agent ! I am Plumber operative Ben Tennyson, saver of universes. I require your assistance! "

The agent looked at Albedo for a minute before speaking.

" Umm Agent Du, a pleasure to meet you. The prisoner is in our custody this is no longer a Plumber matter. "

Albedo relished the chance to make Ben look bad, and laid it on thick.

" Oh you are mistaken with your inferior earthy training, and equipment you didn't notice she is in part empowered by a telepathic symbiont. Why do you think she has white hair? "

" You two hang out maybe. "

Albedo kept up the act.

" Their you go again! I have mimicked the same life form through the unparalleled might of the Omnitrix so I unlike you can withstand its telepathic assault! Now take me to them, so I can fit her with a restraining collar. "

Agent Du started to get annoyed.

" The files tell us this one is a level 6 mana user not a telepath, and all her blood work came back negative for any . . . "

Albedo broke in waving his fake Omnitrix around.

" Enough with you and your ignorant prattling! I wield the Omni matrix! I am a Plumber agent ! I have Galvanic diplomatic immunity and sanction! My authority supersedes and local agency, take me to the prisoner! "

Du spoke in a dry voice.

" Down that hall, after you sir. "

Albedo marched forward in victory as Du taped his communicator just once. Reaching the correct room they entered to find Charmcaster her hands bound in hard plastic mittens strapped to the bed, and her face covered in a similarly plastic mask that made her look like a rabid metal patient. Du Spoke.

" As you can see . . Sir, she's well restrained. Her knee was sprained when you apprehended her, and with the way we have her tied she'd have needed to be telepathic to get out of here, and I've not felt the urge to wheel her out of here so . . "

Albedo pulled out a make shift device made of items from the computer store. Batteries wiring, and a few other components held together by duck-tape. It didn't look like much, but when he put into the side of the unsuspecting Du he dripped like a rock.

" AAAA! "

Albedo without even bothering to close the door picked up Du's utility belt and starting going through it while Charmcaster watched confused.

" Useless, useless, primitive but it will work, oh and a communicator sending out a panic signal wonderful! "

He turned to the bound mage at last and spoke.

" I am Albedo, enemy of Ben Tennyson, and I will release you now. I'd love it if you'd help me kill him, but if not I understand and will just leave. "

He undid her restraints her mask and even pulled her blanket back for her, as she sat there. She finally spoke.

" What are you and why are you helping me? "

Albedo spoke as if he'd was reading the paper.

" Someone that is helping Tennyson destroy himself. Breaking in here was part of that, and you being gone is another. Your help would make things better for me and worse for him, but its not needed. Can I get you a primitive wheeled transport or can you walk? "

The white haired woman looked in his face seeing Tennyson in negative. Her mind screamed a thousand words she knew science didn't have any understanding of, but in the end she saw the fake Omnitrix on his wrist and took a chance.

" I'm not levitating myself out of here in a hospital gown. Get me some pants, and I'll help you. "

**

Ember floated through the void of the ghost zone on her guitar coming up on Skulkers island. She sang to herself as she went.

" It started when an alien device did what it did . . . "

A large explosion clued her in to what end of the island her boyfriend was at, and more then likely who he had over. She found Skulker and Technus working on his new armor. Skulker floating around without it on looked like a green jelly bean with an attitude.

" I have told you before the power cell is delicate ! "

Technus shouted back.

" Are you telling me how to do my job ? "

" I am telling you how to not vaporize us! "

Ember floated upside down and lowered herself between them.

" Aww are we fighting? "

She rotated back to right side up as Skulker flew up to her face.

" You've returned my Valkyrie. "

" Hi Boo! Listen I've got a wild idea, and its going to rattles some cages. It's a real game changer, and I could use some backup. "

The tiny hunter landed on her shoulder as he spoke.

" I have a new target now. Unlike the boy, this one attacked me. Skulker is no ones prey! "

" Boo he sent you after the Tennyson kid, and he will be there trust me. "

" So I watch his target until he sooner or later strikes again. A good enough trap, once the armor is complete. "

**

Next: " Giants in the Playground "

Notes:

Yea those are Kim possible characters in there. Why because I watch to much television.

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