Part 1

While in the Undertown,

"Was this really necessary, Ben?"

As Wildmutt finished sniffing things around especially Rook, he reverted back to being Ben.

"Bear with it Rook, now our next stop is…. I'm having doubts about this…"

Ben made a small sigh and looked at the building in front of them. It was 's shop.

Just as they step inside,

"N-N-No Ben, no transformations!"
There in the counter was who was clearly in panic as soon as seeing Ben due to his store and car being always unintentionally destroyed by Ben.

"Relax, Mr. Baumann. We're just investigating something."

As soon as he said that, he once again transformed to Wildmutt and began searching the store.

could not help but pull his hair but then received a tap on his shoulder by Rook.

"Don't worry, Mr. Baumann. This is just something urgent."

Wildmutt then returned to Rook, shook his head, and transformed back.

"Nothing here either. Did you notice any strange human costumers recently, Mr. Baumann?"

When Ben asked that, He only glared at him that is tinged with annoyance.

"Nothing. Why do you even ask!?"

He answered them as if rejecting the notion only for Ben and Rook to look at him with serious expressions.

"Please, Mr. Baumann, we need your help!"

Ben pleaded him, and as if seeing the seriousness in Ben's words, he nodded and started recalling the faces of the human customers he encountered for the past days.

"Not that I know any but──but, there's this woman with a really terrifying foxlike gaze wearing military uniform asking about a woman with a green hair. When I replied no to her, she said that she'll come back af──Oh no! Help me Ben! Tomorrow will be the date that she said she'll return after our encounter last week!"

After Mr. Baumann said that with an anxious voice, Ben replied as if to reassure him.

"Don't worry; we'll be back here tomorrow."

The two then left the shop and rod the Proto-TRUK, exiting Undertown.

While driving the Proto-TRUK, Rook sighed and began talking about something.

"I cannot believe that the DEM Industries would go as far as visit Undertown just to search for Natsumi."

Ben replied uninterestedly to what Rook had said.

"They really seemed to be very desperate to me much like Vilgax, doing anything just to get their hands into Natsumi and probably the rest of the Spirits."

"DEM is a manufacturer of the Realizer technology as what Miss Gwen's analysis of it yielded; it seemed to have a trace of mana in it, maybe their using these 'Spirits' as a means of energy source for their technology."

"And if that's true, then we have no choice but to stop them from doing these devilish things. DEM….. I'm really going to go all-out against Elen if we ever meet again. She's not an enemy to be underestimated…. Truly befitting the title that she boasts. That hit with Feedback was just a chanced counter because she didn't Feedback's abilities yet and I don't think that it'll work out against her again."

"I understand you, Ben. But we should deal with Natsumi first and reconcile with her before she could be put into our protection."

"Right."

As soon as the two's conversation finished, an explosion occurred behind Proto-TRUK who was only meters away from Undertown's hidden exit.

"Those are──!?"

Rook was shocked after he realized what the attackers were. They were the same humanoid robots that accompanied Elen during their first fight, the Bandersnatch units.

"So they managed to track us down huh…"

Ben open the Proto-TRUK's door on him side and went out as Lodestar, a metallic humanoid with a floating head and tuning fork-like hands that is one of Ben's many transformations.

Lodestar then began magnetizing the Bandersnatch units one by one which then overloaded their circuitry, causing most of the Bandersnatch to shut down while the others exploded.

He also used his magnetism to fling other Bandersnatch into their allies' direction, hitting each other and causing them to crash into the ground.

One of the Bandersnatch caught Lodestar off-guard and blasted him into bits with a missile.

But due to his regenerative abilities, Lodestar reassembled himself whole and magnetized the remaining Bandersnatch, destroying them.

"This is a larger force than that of before! Watch, out Ben, those armed humans might appear again!"

Rook exclaimed and Ben nodded. He then reverted back and transformed into a large slime-green colored humanoid creature bearing resemblance to a fly.

Stinkfly flew around the area to survey their surroundings for the possible next enemy confrontation.

"Nothing here, maybe they only send out the goons this time."

Stinkly transformed back to Ben and received a call from his Omnitrix, It was his grandfather, Max Tennyson.

"How are things Grandpa Max?"

"Things had quite improved now since we were able to contact a certain organization that also deals with Spirits but not in a violent way compared to DEM, they instead are trying to achieve mutual understanding and cooperation. There are some problems however…"

During yesterday's meeting, Ben asked Max to help them investigate about the Spirits and anything connected to it. Max listed out the main two distributor companies of Realizers, them being DEM Industries and Asgard Electronics.

He sent out a mail to Asgard Electronics as a Plumber representative to know if they have any involvement with Spirits. Max wasn't surprised that they are involved in this, afterall, Asgard Electronics is the only company that rivals DEM Industries.

He then conveyed what their reply was to Ben which is currently on the phone.

"So that's It eh, we need to deal first with our troublesome Natsumi to prove that we are worthy of cooperation? They clearly don't know the Plumbers are capable of."

Ben let out a big sigh at this sudden realization.

"I forgot to mention that their split organization who deals firsthand with Spirit, the Ratatoskr, is at Japan that's why we couldn't leave yet and meet them."

He only made a more tired look on his face, said his goodbyes to his grandpa and ended the call.

"there's still eleven and a half hours before midnight Ben, where should we start first?"

Hearing that, Ben showed a fearless expression and looked at Rook as if the answer was obvious.

"To Friedkin University of course."

Part 2

Arriving at the university,

Rook feels somewhat troubled due to the fact that Ben would cause again just like last time they visited here and that might allow Natsumi, if she's really here, to escape easily.

While drinking a smoothie, Ben exited the Proto-TRUK and walked towards the campus entrance.

As soon as he entered, the several students who is currently on break or doesn't have schedule during this time of the day took notice of Ben and began forming a commotion around him.

(What a disaster!)

Ben thought to himself, but before the crowd of students overwhelms him, he took notice of a hooded figure from a distance that seemed to be in a hurry.

Seeing this as a sign that it might be Natsumi, Ben activated the Omnitrix's voice command option to transform him and free him from the crowd of the students.

"Omnitrix Voice Selection Mode: Vulpimancer"

The Omnitrix registered the command and transformed to Wildmutt and chased after the hooded figure.

It however tripped, allowing Ben to catch up and grabbed the hooded figure. When he however, pulled the hoodie out to reveal the figure's face, he was surprised to find a middle-aged Caucasian man roughly at his mid-forties wearing glasses.

Wildmutt distanced himself from the man and transformed back to Ben.

"I-Im terribly sorry, Mister. I mistook you for somebody else..."

Ben bowed his head to apologize and the man forced a wry smile and scratched his head.

"No it's nothing; it happens to me most of the time."

As they are conversing; Gwen who has heard of the commotion, rushed outside to see what is going on.

"Ben? What are you guys doing here!?"

After seeing Gwen walked into them, Ben once again transformed into Wildmutt to check is she was truly herself.

"H-Hey! What's with this sniffing around?"

Seeing that she really is Gwen, Ben transformed back.

"Can't be too sure, Natsumi is on hiding."

Gwen sighed and looked at Ben with disappointment only to be met with Ben scratching his cheek

"So why are you two here exactly?"

"We're looking for──"

Before Rook could finish his sentence, Ben gleefully interjected with a trace of annoyance in his words

"Apparently, we only came here to check on you so that "that" shapeshifting woman won't take the place of my good cousin studying well in the university! And…. We need your help to find that brat quickly."

The disappointed expression still in Gwen's face and then she turned around to guide them inside one of the campus buildings.

"By the way, who's that guy from before?"

"He's Professor Albert Lomidze, one of the faculty members."

"Eh──!?"

Ben could not help but be surprised to the fact than Gwen said. He most definitely saw him as a regular student; this only made Ben be filled with embarrassment from their encounter.

A dim lit corridor greets their front with an old looking wooden door at the end of it bearing the motif of a large tree.

The tree of them proceeded to enter the room, revealing numerous bookshelves but its numbers are fewer compared to that of the main campus library. In its far right corner were three computer monitors with the middle one currently powered on.

"Gwendolyn? Is there something of matter today? Oh, it's been a while, Ben."

A large man with a pale skin and black colored cheeks dressed in a red tuxedo greeted them.

It was Professor Hex, one of Ben's former enemies who had changed his way of living a while back and decided to teach in this academy.

"Yeah, you see Hex, we're searching for someone. Mind lending us a hand?"

Hex nodded and approaches the computer nearest to him clicking the mouse to show a website to the three.

"Gwendolyn already informed me about it earlier and I tried to research a bit."

The website was in Japanese which made Hex to use a spell that will translate the text into a readable language. It was a paranormal forum with the highlighted subjects being about "Extradimensional Entities and Spacequakes"

Hex clicked the top post and what is attached to it was a picture of a destroyed part of a city and at the far distance of the picture above the pile of rubbles, was a humanoid figure floating mid-air.

The original poster stated that he took this shot after sneaking pass the security during a spacequake alarm and that he also saw military officers in the vicinity.

"This and what Gwendolyn told me were all I knew regarding these 'Spirits' so I'm figuring that you know more than I do."

Ben gasped at what Hex just did moments ago.

"Can't believe that a former mage is this adept at using technology…"

"Sometimes you just need to go and familiarize yourself with the modern society… but that's not all though, there's no reported sightings regarding these beings were written except for one event that I think is related…"

"The Eurasia Sky Disaster, the very first and the largest spacequake that had occurred 30 years ago."

Gwen joined their talk while reading her open notes.

"I too researched about it last night after our meeting."

As their talk progressed, Ben seated on one of the chairs there and then──

"You even gathered some students just to assist me in my research. That may be too much for you Prof. Hex."

It was the man from the earlier, Albert Lomidze, which is an Information & Communication professor at the college.

Ben showed a shocked expression and the man only smiled wryly.

"Don't think about it, they too were pursuing the same subject."

Hex then introduced him briefly but since Ben and Rook already know who he is, they didn't bother.

"So what do we need to talk about?"

Albert said so and wiped his glasses

"A Spirit that is currently here in America and she also is after me."

He fell silent for a few moments and looked at Ben.

"R-Really?"

"Yeah, and she even threatened me and this 'game' after I supposedly saw her secret which I didn't, I don't even know what that is. This is why we're on the search for her."

At this instant, Hex crossed his arms and began to speak to Ben.

"We can't figure that out if we don't know what that Spirit is capable of aside from expelling vast amounts of mana and summoning spacequakes."

"She can make things appear out of nothing just like a carrot missile! Would you believe that!? And that she could mimic my transformations and use their powers as well as use their abilities and she even turned into a different monster altogether!"

Ben frantically spoke everything he knows about Natsumi's abilities.

"Mimicking others? Hmm…. What makes you think that she could conjure things? She maybe transformed the air into her image of liking. I have a spell book somewhere here in the library that lists a spell that can do the same feat. So it appears that she can transform not just herself but anything around her and that her 'secret' might be her real appearance which is why she is after you."

Ben looked in awe at Hex's lecture only to be followed by a murmur from Gwen that didn't fell to anybody's ears.

(As expected from the university's best professor!)

"I-I only know of the Spirit codenamed Princess and as far as my sources go, she's the only Spirit who has been pictured albeit she's not clearly depicted.

Albert spoke with an unease tone and adjusted his glasses.

"Her codename was Witch. Not only that though, she's being followed by the DEM."

DEM Industries

The mentioning of that organization sent a shiver down his spine, causing him to accidentally drop his smartphone at the floor.

"They're making a move now in the US…Damnit. I thought I could now hide from them and live a peaceful life."

Albert bit his lip and droplets of sweat began forming on his forehead.

Ben took notice of this and asked him in a serious tone.

"Do you know something, Professor Albert?"

"E-Eh!?... Uh.. mayb──"

His words made Albert become more nervous but Gwen and Rook looked at him directly and nodded at him, signaling him to give in which he did.

"I'm an Electronics Engineer working for DEM Industries until I quitted about 5 years ago when they captured what they dubbed as "The Second Spirit". I was working for an 'interrogation room' at that time with my team, installing various sensors and energy field as well security cameras. That room by far was the most secured area within our building. The one they brought there… Oh god… I still can't sleep normally after all these years…"

The atmosphere within the room became tense after Albert's confession and there were tears forming in his eyes, the four other people there were bewildered and a few moments past and Hex break the ice to resume the conversation.

"It's alright Albert, you said too much. Don't force yourse──"

"No. This is the least that I could do. Keeping all these from myself for years really pained me and now that I know there's someone that would believe my story and it's a superhero at that and not just the authorities who may either just laugh at me or report me to the DEM. They have plenty of ears which is why I started my new life and identity here in the college…"

Hex tapped his co-worker's shoulder and Albert wiped his tears and continued talking.

"That girl was of an Asian descent, particularly Japanese, and was in her late teens. They exposed her to horrendous torture ranging from electrocution, lacerations and sexual abuse as far as I could remember. I, along with the other engineers there and our crews were the ones who perform the maintenance of that room. I once asked my superior why they are doing this only for him to grin and mutter "to turn into its true form". "

Hearing all of this, Ben clinched his fists and his anger for the DEM Industries only grew.

"The torture continued for months but they healed her physical injuries each time. And then one day, I performed a system check from the control room alone of that cell which is separated with a thick wall of glass. Only few of my crew and co-workers remained on that hellhole as they one by one resigned. I only remained there as I needed money for my brother's hospitalization also, I haven't heard from my co-workers for a long time now and I now assumed they were silenced."

Albert uttered a small laugh and was interjected by Rook.

"This is clearly a severe violation of the Intergalactic Law and the laws of Earth!"

"True that. But once you're in power such things doesn't matter."

He cleared his throat and was handed a handkerchief by Gwen.

"Thanks. As I performed the maintenance, she stared at me. I was creeped out at that time but felt sympathy for her. She began to utter words, but those are only two words: 'Help me'. Just a day after that, when I went into the room I find its door tight shut and windows covered. My superior said that the Spirit succumbed into a comatose state and that she was moved into an observation room underground. Suffering from the nightmares that followed, I quit the job. Packed all the things in my house, and then sold it. Together with my savings, I changed my name and flew off here in US. I've been hiding ever since. But one I watched your heroic acts, Ben Tennyson, I couldn't help but feel hope that with you around, someday those bastards would get what they deserve."

Albert exhaled as if to have felt a relief that he had long been desired.

"I know that it is a very sad story but, how would this exactly help us finding the Witch?"

Ben said that with a worried voice and then the earlier atmosphere went back into the room.

"I forgot to say but, I still have one of those sensors that trace the energy residues or what they called 'mana' in my apartment. That one though was malfunctioning but if we could restore it, you can use it to trace the Spirit you are finding. "

Ben smiled and looked at Rook only for him to tilt his head.

"Before we could go into your home, Mr. Ludze, we'll just pick up another friend to help fix it."

"Oh sure, here's my call card."

Ben took the card from Albert's hand and went outside the room but before he could close the door, he glanced at Gwen.

"Hey Gwendolyn, do you know where Kevin is?"

"He said that he too wants to go and search for this 'Natsumi' together with Zed."

"Oh boy, I don't like where this is going."

Ben and Rook hurried to exit the campus and rode in the Proto-TRUK

Part 3

"Keviiiiiin!"

"Looks like he's not here"

Rook assumed so as they received no reply.

After hearing from Gwen that Kevin decided to search for Natsumi on his own and hasn't returned yet, they went to the first place they could think of, his new home.

"Only one way to find out."

Ben tapped the Omnitrix to show the holographic selection wheel that displayed icons resembling his alien's heads. After making a choice, Ben slammed the Omnitrix and transformed into a blue, muscular, moth-like creature with bat wings, Big Chill.

Big Chill went intangible and searched on Kevin's home. After several minutes, he went outside and reverted back.

"He's really not here, damn. We should've checked him earlier…"

Ben became lost in thoughts because one of his worries is starting to became real .

"Should we check on him in the Undertown? Must be together with Argit."

"Argit is also for a few days now."

Rook tried to provide more places but Ben rejected the notion. They are now running out of places on which Kevin might possible be at when Ben remembered that there is only one place left, his mother's house.

Rook and Ben emerged from the Proto-TRUK and looked at a two-story high house surrounded by a fence.

The two went into the front gate and rang the doorbell. Immediately, a Caucasian woman stepped outside the door and greeted them at the gate.

"It's rarely seeing you around here, Ben. Did Kevin give you troubles lately? And who is this new friend of yours"

The woman standing before them was none other than , Kevin's mom.

"He is Rook Blonko, my tag-along partner and I'm terribly sorry if I'm disturbing you, Mrs. Levin but, did Kevin happen to pass-by? He's been missing since this morning and it maybe my fault. I have a big problem and asked him and Gwen for help to search for someone…"

"You're always welcome here Ben so don't worry about it. As for the matter of Kevin, no he didn't. Last time I checked on him was he reviewing for examinations. However, Zed came home alone just an hour ago. Zed! Greet our visitors here."

As Mrs. Levin called out, the blue armored alien dog that previously belonged to Khyber, Zed, which is now Kevin's dog went outside and approached them. Ben patted her but the creature hesitated for a minute but didn't mind now.

"Hey sweetie, do you know where Kevin is?"

Zed stood up and began barking while looking at Mrs. Levin which somewhat understand what she were trying to say.

"Okay. You can tag along with them and Ben, after you found out where Kevin is, can you say to him to not leave her pet alone? Poor girl looks unenergetic when she went home."

"Don't worry, . We'll handle this. Let's go Zed!"

Ben and Rook together with Zed, boarded the Proto-TRUK and drove away.

Their first stop was a mall and pets aren't allowed inside however, Zed ran away causing the security guards to go after her.

"Leave this to me."

Ben stopped the two security guards then dialed and slammed his Omnitrix, transforming him into a reptilian humanoid boasting a black and green color scheme. It was his high-speed alien, XLR8.

XLR8 caught her up but she was trying to let go of herself.

"Calm down there buddy, why did run from me? Do you still hate me?"

However, Zed was barking on the direction just in their left. What Zed was barking at was a man with grey long sleeves atop a black shirt.

"Ben!"

Rook shouted as he hurried into them evidently tired from the run.

"Rook, take Zed with you for the meantime and don't let her follow me."

This still doesn't seemed make Zed calm and still wants to pursue.

"I'm sorry, but that might be the shapeshifter. You probably know who that was if you encountered it. It is dangerous, so don't follow and be a good girl okay?"

As soon as he said that, Zed whined and sat on the floor.

XLR8 wore his visor and began pursuing what they assumed to be Kevin or even Natsumi.

He ran multiple times across the mall but he couldn't find the man so he proceeded to the parking area to search again.

What he came across however was Kevin's car.

"This isn't coincidence. He must have really disappeared… I'll definitely make a way to bring you back, pal."

Ben transformed back and contacted Rook.

"Did you find him, Ben? No, but I found his car. Natsumi won this time."

A moment of silence had passed before Rook could reply

"I'll be there right away."

As soon as the call ended, Argit, out of nowhere, approached Ben.

"Seems like we're having some troubles eh, Ben?"

He was shocked on who that person behind him is. He transformed into Rath.

Rath pummeled him down and began questioning him

"LEMME TELL YA SOMETHING YOU BIG RAT! DO YOU KNOW WHERE KEVIN IS?"

"N-No! Seriously, I don't know! I never even knew he was missing since I was imprisoned by the organization called DEM and only had escaped hours ago!"

Rath let go of him and transformed back to being Ben.

The two continued conversing with Argit flexing his right arm.

"So why was Kevin missing?"

"He tried to help me find a girl named Natsumi alone and that girl really hates me which is why I think she took Kevin."

Argit jumped back after hearing what Ben had said. He then lunged at him and grabbed his shirt.

"Natsumi? What are you planning doing to my precious Natsumi huh!?"

Ben too was confused on what Argit had just said.

"You know her? Well that's not the issue here! Natsumi is now doing what she called "hide-and-seek" and started taking people close to me one by one if I guessed wrong and she started with Kevin!"

Argit widened his eyes on this statement and began retorting to Ben.

"Natsumi wouldn't do that! The hell are you talking, Ben? She's a really nice person and maybe you did something to her!"

"I didn't! Anyways, I have other things to do so if you're not going to help, then just leave."

Ben transformed into Upgrade and merged with Kevin's car but before he went,

"Wait, Ben! I'll come along! I want to see Natsumi too!"

Upgrade hesitated but let out a sigh and opens one of the car doors.

Rook finally found Ben and was surprised to see the other individual beside him.

"Argit? I thought you were missing?"

"Yeah, but that was a few hours ago. Now that everyone is here, let's go!"

Argit shouted enthusiastically and the car began moving.

Part 4

The trio arrived on the apartment complex where Professor Albert resides. It was a fairly large apartment complex with five floors.

"Room 310….Oh, it's over there!"

Rook pointed out to the farthest room in the third floor. They entered the room and what greeted them was an assortment of documents that scattered everywhere.

Some were in the futon and table, while others were in the floor.

Rook picked up one of the papers and found out that it was about a manga artist named Souji Honjou and her sudden disappearance. Stated in the paper was that Souji Honjou disappeared suddenly from the manga industry because of a dispute with her editor.

Before finishing the article, Albert was still sipping his coffee when he saw them.

"Took you later than I thought and is this the friend that you're talking about?"

Albert stared at Argit with confused eyes.

"No. He just tagged along because he wants to see his 'precious Witch'. The friend that I mentioned before was missing and I have a feeling that Natsumi did this as a part of her 'game'. "

"Don't worry buddy, I'm here to help them."

Argit smiled at Albert only to be met with a sigh.

"By the way, what's with all these scattered papers?"

Ben asked him while looking at the messy floor.

"Remember my story earlier? Souji Honjou was the identity of the Spirit that was imprisoned in that DEM facility."

Ben and Rook was surprised at the information that this Professor Albert had revealed while Argit narrowed his eyes and formed a faint smile.

"Looks like we're in for something dangerous eh?"

Albert instructed them to sit in the couch first and wait for him as he get the item that he wants to give them, a sensor-type Realizer specified for detecting mana emissions.

Few moments after, Albert arrived to the living room carrying a medium-sized box which he carefully placed at the floor. He opened the box and showed them the content

"Here it is. To be honest, I don't know if it's still functional."

Inside was a black-metal device with a bit semblance to a large flashlight albeit without a lens and was cylindrical in shape.

"This doesn't look like an alien device but it's technological level were at 4 or 5. DEM Industries is still going rampant eh? Due to the Realizers, Earth's minimum level clearance became near 3. However, those Combat Realizers made by DEM is at 7 or even greater than 12! Especially that of Elen's…"

As Argit finished examining the device, Albert frowned at Argit.

"You seemed to knowledgeable regarding DEM's tech."

"Well you see, I'm a weapon broker that was imprisoned by the DEM for interrogation."

As the two conversed, Ben began pressing his Omnitrix and transformed into Grey Matter and analyzes the device.

"Let's see here…"

Grey Matter began poking around the device until he opened a hatch that revealed the internal circuitry.

"Hmm…. One of the main wirings connected to the power source were lacking in length. Do you a spare wire?"

Albert nodded, proceeded into his room and brought out a disassembled device.

"This one is a different device but their construction is similar. See if you can find any replacement parts."

He gave the other device to Grey Matter who continued working on the Realizer.

After several minutes had passed, Grey Matter rested into the couch and reverted back to Ben.

"Phew. That was hard."

The repaired device was then turned on by Rook, displayed in its monitor on the side were numerical and graphical data displayed at zero.

"Are you ready, Ben?"

Rook looked at Ben only for him to smile back that tinged with confidence.

"Yeah. Natsumi's game ends tomorrow. "