This is a story I've been planning for a while. I knew it would limit things if I kept Ben's real life secret, and I've already milked it enough. So today, the club learns about who Ben 10 really is.

Chapter 14: Reunion

It has been 2 months. At least 60 days being stuck here, waiting for some mysterious threat that needed his help to stop it. 60 days of being a girl, with all the problems that came with it. Of not hearing a single word from Paradox since that night in the clothing store. 2 days where his emotions went wild and he had trouble controlling his alien powers.

And 2 months away from home and everyone he knew. Ben would be the first to admit it. He was homesick. He missed everything about home. He missed having chilli-cheese fries and smoothies, or Sumo Slammer games. He missed having Gwen show how much smarter she was, or Kevin making fun of him. He missed going on missions with Rook, who always seemed to know important information or skills. And he definitely missed his parents, or Ester. He wasn't even sure if they knew where he was. For all they knew, he could be dead.

"Man, this sucks." He sighed, resting his head against his gym locker. He had just been through a gruelling practise match. Even after Rin had healed enough to join the team again, the coach wouldn't let someone like him go. He was a reserve player; or as Ms. Renyu liked to call him, their trump card.

"Oh come on, Bri." Sakura scolded him. "That was actually pretty good playing today. I'm almost worried you're going to steal my position." Ben still felt nervous around her. Though Kallen had been grateful for him getting rid of those creeps after her, Rin and Charlotte were still too nervous to hang out with him. And Sakura was in between. She stuck by him most of the time, but she made it pretty clear she was still scared of him. It was only because of her crush that had her stick close by in the first place. He still felt flattered that she loved him, but she didn't know the whole truth. No matter how beautiful or skilled he was, a lesbian wasn't going to start falling for a guy. He didn't want to start dating her only to hurt her when he turned back to normal. And he didn't want to cheat on Ester either. Sakura said she'd wait for him to call her, but he knew that sooner or later she'd start asking awkward questions. And he wouldn't do anything until he could get word to her. But how? He couldn't pick up a phone. And Hokestar hadn't been back ever since the first time. So how was he supposed to call his girlfriend and tell her he was leaving her for another girl? At times like this he cursed himself for not trying to go home just to talk to them.

"Sorry." He apologised. "I wasn't talking about training. You see, I still can't get in contact with anyone back home."

"They're still busy on that native land thing? Sheesh, you'd think they'd be back by now."

"What can I say? They're really busy right now." He gave himself a sniff, then nearly suffered whiplash as he recoiled. "Woo. I really need a shower. Guess I really worked up a sweat." He stripped and grabbed a towel he kept in his locker, very aware of Sakura's eyes on his ass. It still weirded him out a bit, having a love interest in the same room. He scurried over to the shower, ready for some nice cool water. But no matter how much he turned the tap, nothing happened. He frowned. Damn thing must be broken. Oh well. He could just use Water Hazard as an improvised showerhead, and then use Jury Rigg to fix it later on. He was about to spray when he was interrupted.

"Room for one more?" Sakura asked as she pushed the shower curtain aside. Ben turned in pure reflex, then blushed when he realised she was completely naked. Blood started dripping from his nose as he froze up. "Huh? What's with the arm?"

"Well, uh…you, uh… you see, uh…" Ben's brain just wouldn't kick into gear. As soon as he had a thought, he noticed something else about her body that derailed his thoughts. Finally, his brain managed to get back on track long enough to turn away from her. "The shower's not working. So… I uh, thought of using one of my powers to wash myse- EEEEEPPP!" He shrieked as he felt Sakura hug him from behind. And press her breasts against his back.

"Well then." She said in a sultry voice. "Best not to keep ourselves waiting."

"I…I…I…" He phased free and rushed back to get dressed. "IthinkI'llhavemyshowerbackintheclubhouseseeyouinthenextpractisebye!" He shouted all that in one breath as he ran out the locker room door, leaving Sakura alone in a broken shower.

God, what he'd do for normal troubles from home.

(**/*\**)

Issei giggled as he read through his latest porno. Man, Matsuda had some serious contacts to get this kind of poon. This mag had everything. The small pile of tissues next to him grew larger… No, not because of that. Because he didn't want to drip blood all over his porn. Even Issei knew when was and was not a good time to start jerking off. He was so busy reading and lusting and having wild fantasies he didn't even notice the group of people coming up behind him.

"Excuse me." One of them said politely. Issei yelled, screamed, jumped, pulled his hand out of his pants and hid the porno all at once. While making some kung-fu motions. He stopped freaking out once he saw who was talking to him.

It was a small group of people, made of two guys and two girls. One of the guys was wearing a big brown poncho thing that hid most of his body. What little skin Issei could see looked almost…blue, or white. Beside him was a tall, buff dude in a black shirt and scuffed jeans. He had long black hair, and looked really rough. Next to him was a shorter girl, about as tall as Issei. She had short orange hair held back with a single blue clip, along with some blue glasses. She was modestly endowed, her breasts held firm by a light-blue shirt with a picture of a cat on it. She wore a blue plaid skirt for some reason, and had a few freckles. The other girl also had a hood on, and her face was hidden behind a purple visor. Strangely, her outfit looked a lot like a winter parka, with white trimming and everything covered. She was also a bit endowed, but it was hard to tell through the jacket.

"Forgive me." The guy in the poncho said. "I did not mean to scare you like that."

"Ah, that's ok." Issei replied. "I shouldn't have been off in daydream land. Anyway, how can I help you?"

"We're looking for someone." The thug said. "An American kid in a white hoodie, usually wears a black shirt underneath. Got brown hair and green eyes. Can get pretty full of himself, and likes to go on about how great he is. Goes by the name Ben." Issei shook his head. He's never seen a guy like that. Hell, he didn't know there was another American kid here. "Sheesh, you sure we're in the right place?" Thug asked the ginger girl.

She nodded. "I tracked his energy here. Maybe it would help if we introduced ourselves. Ben's got to have talked about us." She turned to face Issei, shaking his hand. "My name's Gwen. This big guy is my boyfriend Kevin, that guy over there is Rook, and this here is Ester. We're looking for my cousin. Goes by the name Ben Tennyson."

Alarm bells were ringing in his head. Bri mentioned those names. Maybe they were from another dimension, one where Bri was a guy like that Ben 23. "I've never met a guy called Ben, but I do know a Tennyson. Maybe she could help you."

"It's not much, but I suppose it's a start. Lead the way Mr…?"

"Issei Hyoudo. Last I saw her she was heading for the Clubhouse." He led them along the path, thinking of getting some information. If Bri's met one counterpart, then she could've met others. Every little detail could help her. "So, why are you looking for your cousin? Can't get in contact with him, or something?"

"Kinda. You see, we're not actually from around here."

"Duh. You guys are Americans."

"What Gwen means, is that we are actually from another dimension. Ben 10 is an intergalactic hero where we are from, and we need his help." Kevin hit Rook upside the head.

"Way to go, Rook. Now he'll think we're crazy."

"Actually, I've dealt in crazy things. After all, I'm part of the Occult Research Club."

"Well, anyway." Gwen continued the story. "A couple of months ago, Ben was hanging out with us when some portal pulled him through. Things have been getting worse and worse since he left. I'll be the first to admit he's got a bit of an ego, but I never fully realised how feared he was until he vanished. Now, we're trying to find him again so he can come back and kick the bad-guy's butts.

"Ok, so Gwen wants to find her cousin, and boyfriend Kevin wants to make her happy. What are you two here for?" He didn't want to let on he knew more than he should. He might have the wrong people. Plus, he's already been jumped by someone that knew a Tennyson. He'll leave that to Bri.

"I am his partner. I help him police the aliens on Earth." Check, just like Bri said.

"I'm his girlfriend." Ester replied. "I'm just so worried about him that I volunteered to come with them."

"Ouch. I can understand why you'd come along then." He hoped that Bri could help. If she couldn't, then he'd make her. Ester looked so worried, from what he could see of her expression. "You know, I'm pretty sure Bri is an alternate version of your cousin. A lot of what she told us sounds pretty similar to what you guys said." By now, they were at the clubroom door. He opened it up to see that the whole team was here. Well, except for Bri. From the sound of it, she was having a shower. "Hey guys." He said. "Sorry about this, but there are some people that want to talk to Bri."

"I'm here." She replied from the shower. "Tell them that they can wait till I'm out of the shower."

"This is urgent." Gwen said angrily. Br shrieked, and from the sound of it fell over. The curtain rustled until she was peeking round the side, her hair mussed and wet. She stared at Gwen and her team with a look of pure horror.

"Gw-Gwen?" She whispered. Gwen stared at her, before summoning a small ball of pink light. It surrounded a sumo figure, with an arrow pointing at Bri.

"Ben?" Gwen asked, looking just as shocked.

Wait. Ben?

(**/*\**)

Ben had died and gone to hell.

That was the only explanation for the nightmare he found himself in. The only way Gwen, Kevin, Rook, and Ester of all people could've found him, while he was standing naked in a shower, surrounded by the entire Club. Inside he was cursing up a storm over his stupid luck.

"Ben?" Gwen said again. "Is that really you?"

"Wait, Ben?" Issei asked, looking surprised. "But you said your cousin was a guy. Bri is definitely a girl."

"But my tracking spell. It was supposed to lead us to him, across time and space."

"Well like I said, Bri might be an alternate version of your cousin. You probably went to the wrong dimension." The look on their faces sent shards of pain deep into his heart. He couldn't let them go on a wild-goose chase for him, when he was right here. He sighed as he imagined the pain the girls would cause him.

"No, Issei. They're in the right place." Everyone looked at him in confusion. "Before I came here, I wasn't a flat-chested girl. I was a guy. Parts and all. I'm actually Ben Tennyson." Everyone just stood there in complete shock, completely silent. But eventually the silence was broken by a sound Ben didn't want to hear.

Laughter. Kevin's laughter.

"Oh man, Tennyson." Kevin gasped he had so much trouble breathing. "So did you have to pay someone to look like that or were you just that lucky?"

"Sh-Shut up, Kevin!" Ben shouted, hiding his body behind the curtain as best as he could. The best – and only – thing he could do right now was to get dressed. There was no way he was having this discussion naked.

"I was not aware Humans changed gender when they crossed dimensions." Rook said in his naïve way. "But perhaps that is because it does not happen that often."

"No, Humans don't change gender like that, Rook. This isn't the first time I've been to another dimension." He yelped as Koneko pulled the curtain aside, glaring at him. He was partly glad he at least had his bra on.

"So this whole time all the girls in school have been getting changed in front of a horny teenage guy?" She said while cracking her knuckles.

"What? Ben!" Gwen chided him. Honestly, this was getting unfair.

"It wasn't like I could just go up to them and say 'Yo. I'm actually a guy, but I was transformed to look like a hooker'." Ben retorted angrily. "At best they'd think I was crazy, at worst they'd think I was like Issei. No offence."

"Nah, it's ok." Issei waved it off. "That actually would be something I'd do."

"But you got a good look at them."

"Koneko, if I was that perverted, I'd just watch myself in a mirror all day long." Ben countered. From the look on their faces, they realised he had a point. But soon they were all talking at once, except for Ester. She was just staring at him in shock. "Guys please. One at a time." They all ignored him, trying their best to get their points and arguments heard. "Just be quiet!" But they still couldn't hear him. He felt like his head was going to explode. "SHUT UP!" He shouted, instinctly adding some Echo Echo to it. Everyone fell down from the force of his shout while windows started shattering. Ben took some deep breaths as he tried to calm himself down. "Ok. Can you guys please give me a chance to explain? Then you can start asking me stupid things." Without giving them a chance to agree – or argue more likely – He told them everything that had happened since he got here. He left out some of the more personal stuff – they didn't need to know about Sakura's crush – but he still talked for a very long time. He suddenly felt very tired. To think all this stuff had happened within the first week of getting here. And he still hadn't done the thing he was supposed to be here for.

He was scared he'd never go home.

"Whoa." Kevin said after a while. "Sounds like you had a lot going on."

"Hold up." Gwen interrupted. "You fought Animo? And Charmcaster? What were you thinking, using Alien X like that?"

"Nothing else seemed to work. It was the only thing I could think of. And I figured that I could just use part of his power. I didn't know it would overwhelm me like that."

"That is very interesting." Rook replied. "Perhaps we could convince these 'gods' to come to our dimension and aid us in defeating Vilgax or the Incurseans."

"And another thing." Gwen growled. "Those stupid gods kidnapped my cousin, conscripted him to do something he doesn't even know about, and make him look like a model? Where are they? I'm going to have some strong words for them."

"You can't beat them." Rias replied. "They're too powerful. It's why they're thought of as gods. Even my brother wouldn't just rush in like you are, and he's the ruler of Hell. You don't get that job by being weak."

Kevin started laughing again. "Those gods sure know how to reward a guy, Tennyson. This must be paradise for you."

"Paradise?!" Ben shouted. "It's not, ok! If it wasn't for my new friends, it'd be pure hell! I hate having boobs as big as my head, I hate taking advantage of all the other girls like that, and I definitely hate the creeps of this place. It's almost as bad as those anime videos you have." Everyone stopped talking as they stared at Kevin. He looked rather pale, as if Ben mentioned a dead body he had buried rather than some foreign cartoons.

"You collect anime? What kind of anime?" Gwen asked.

"Oh, uh… you know, basic stuff. Uh… Sumo Slammers, Token Mons, Fu-Ni-Soh. That kind of stuff."

"You forgot to mention that weird-looking one. I think it was called 'My Master, Oh Aid Me." Ben added.

"Hey." Issei said as he thought of something. "That sounds a lot like 'My Commander, Oh Save Me. I didn't know you collected hentai." Kevin got even paler as Gwen turned to give Issei 'The Look'.

"What's 'hentai'?" She asked.

And Issei realised he made a mistake.

(**/*\**)

The club house vibrated beneath Ben's feet as he sat on the roof. It sounded like Gwen was still giving Kevin the verbal lashing of his life. But really, this is all his fault. When you have a loving girlfriend why would you collect Japanese animated porn? He looked at the upper window as Issei crawled out of it and climbed up to his position.

"Wow." He said once he was sitting again. "Your cousin is pretty viscous. I felt like she was going to blast me through the wall."

Ben laughed. "Sometimes I get the same feeling from her. But she does care. You just have to look deep enough to find it."

"Kevin's going to kill me, isn't he?"

"Well, you did just his girlfriend what Hentai was. I'm starting to get the feeling that Japan is the capital of crazy."

"No we're not."

"Issei, your morning cartoons are about a fat man that becomes super-strong and buff after eating flapjacks, who then goes to fight a woman that looks like a toilet. He also gets aided by a cross-dressing rocket and his moustache, and fights her top henchmen that are a skunk and a turd. Name one thing about that that's normal." They sat there, staring at the sunset for a while before Issei started talking again.

"Listen, we need to talk." Ben groaned as he said that.

"Yeah. You and everyone else. This is why I didn't say anything before. Besides, I didn't realise I'd be here long enough for them to send out a search party."

"No, no. I totally understand. You were afraid of how people would think of you if they found out you were a guy. In fact, that actually explains so much. Like why you have mood swings and that nightmare bothered you so much. I just thought that you had, what did they call it? PTSD?"

"Really? You thought I suffered from trauma?"

Bri – I mean Ben. You thought a demon like that Animo thing was a B-list baddie. And you didn't see yourself back then. It was like you were on your period; you changed through emotions so fast. And you didn't want to talk to anyone about nightmares. I mean, I get why now, but back then we got a little worried."

Ben groaned. "Animo isn't a demon. He's just some guy with technology and green skin. And… and I guess you're right. I was so busy freaking over being a girl that I never thought about how it would look to everyone else. I'm sorry if I worried you."

"Hey it's cool. Things are ok now. Everyone probably forgot about until today." They had a bit of a laugh, but it petered out in awkwardness. Ben sighed.

"Go on. Ask me. I know you want to."

"Really? It's ok? You won't get mad or anything?"

"I'm surprised you haven't started asking. So go on, before your head bursts from excitement." Ben recoiled as Issei got right up in his face.

"What's it like?" Issei somehow had stars in his eyes, he was so excited. "It's got to be awesome right? Having your own set of titties to play with at any time, and seeing a girl's private parts. It's awesome right? Please say it's awesome!"

"Ok, ok, I'll talk. Just stop crying on me." Ben gently but firmly shoved Issei away from him. "It's…weird. At first everytime I took a step I had to keep correcting my feet when my boobs started bouncing. I mean, I know you enjoy big boobs. But they weigh a ton. I had to keep straightening up because they'd pull me over whenever they bounced. And they're so sensitive. I got a bra mainly because my shirt kept rubbing against my nipples, and gave me a weird feeling down… well, you know. And my pants felt so empty. I mean, you get so used to a bulge down there and suddenly, you don't have it." He groaned in frustration. "Look, it's difficult to explain if you haven't experienced it before. I just… *sigh* I just don't know what to say."

"… You tested downstairs yet?"

"Wow. Really? You're asking me that? You've really got a one-track mind."

"Hey, I'm just curious. I mean, that Sakura girl likes you a lot."

"Yeah, she…" Issei's words finally reached his brain. "WHAT?!"

"I thought you knew."

"I do know. But how do you know?"

"You kidding? Pretty much everyone in school knows. I'm surprised she hasn't burnt a hole in your clothes she stares at you so hard. But how do you know?"

"She…well. She asked me out during the slumber party. But I couldn't."

"Because of Ester, right?"

"Yeah. I love her. I know always good at showing it, but I really do. And what if she doesn't like me anymore? What am I supposed to do?" Issei didn't say anything. He just gave Ben a hug. He felt nice in it until someone gave a loud cough. They pulled apart as Kevin looked at them through the window.

"When you two lovebirds are done, we need you back in here." He said, ignoring them as they spluttered and pushed away from each other. "And you pal, are going to have a little chat with my fists after all this." He then crawled back down through the window. Ben and Issei just stared at each other for a moment, blushing like mad.

"Well, looks like he still hates me." Issei said as he got moving.

Ben chuckled. "Sure looks like it." He phased through the roof.

Whatever this was, it most likely involves him.

(**/*\**)

"We just got word from Magister Tennyson." Rook told them as they entered the room. Ester was looking at them with a suspicious expression. God, did she really think he was cheating behind her back? This whole romance thing needed to get nipped in the bud. It was getting too complicated. "According to him, we need you back as soon as possible."

"What's happening?" Ben asked. "Are the Incurseans invading again? Or has Psyphon taken over the streets? Or is it Billy Billions again?"

"As a matter of fact, it is Billions again. Along with Carl Nesmith. We do not know if they are working together again, but Nesmith has injured several civilians." Ben's hands shook in anger. He remembered the second time he encountered Captain Nemesis. He had murdered a veterinarian that did plastic surgery on him, and then killed an innocent helpful man for his truck. And to send a message to him. Ben knew he had to go back. Or else the next victim might end up worse than injured. But there was still the obvious problem.

"Believe me guys; I'll do anything to stop him. But I don't exactly want to go into battle looking like this." He said, gesturing to his body.

"What?" Gwen asked, still angry. "Ben, are you seriously putting your image ahead of peoples' lives?"

"Can you imagine how people will react if they found out the famous Ben 10 is now a sexy girl? No one will believe that magic changed me. They'll all think I had a sex change. Girls will think I'm a pervert because of my figure, while guys will think I'm easy. And don't even get me started on what some of my enemies might do to me."

"Ben, you… you actually have a point. He's certainly pissed off a lot of people who wouldn't hesitate to make him suffer."

"Come off it." Kevin scoffed. "He loses his penis, and suddenly he's vulnerable? Ben will wipe the floor with them."

"Considering it's my body, I'm not willing to risk it." Ben said, glaring at him. "Besides, that doesn't change what everyone will think of me. Once I've helped in whatever I'm needed for over here, I'll go back to being a guy, and no one will have to know I had a vagina for two months. But how do we do that while still stopping Nesmith?" Everyone had a bit of a thought about it.

"I've got an idea." Issei said after a while. "Gwen, you said that Ben had short brown hair, right?"

"Yeah." Gwen replied. "Why?"

"Who else here happens to have short brown hair and is a guy?" Everyone looked at him before starting to chuckle.

"That's sweet of you, Issei." Ben said, giggling. "But I'm a world famous superhero. No one will think that you're me, even if we do look similar. And no offence, but I'm pretty sure your regular behaviour will ruin my reputation faster than my breasts would." He gave him a small hug, noticing from the corner of his eye that Ester was glaring at them. He broke it off with a small cough of embarrassment, before tapping him on the shoulder. "But still, thanks for that. But that still leaves us with nothing."

"Gwen smiled as she thought of something. "I've got an idea. We just need to go to Plumbers HQ first."

"Well, if Bri- I mean Ben's going, then we're coming too." Issei said. Rias nodded as she stood by Ben.

"I promised I'd help her out, and I stand by my word. Just because she's a boy doesn't change anything." She turned to face the rest of the club. "Anyone got any objections?" They all shook their head, even Koneko. "Right then. Ms Tennyson, take us to your leader."

Ben laughed at the clichéd line.

(**/*\**)

"People of Bellwood." Carl Nesmith – More well known as Captain Nemesis – shouted through a loudspeaker on his robot. "This is what happens when you place your trust in an arrogant little child. Menaces have been destroying the city for months now, and crime has gone rampant. A citizen can't leave their home without getting attacked." He punctuated his statement by blowing up a car. This was perfect. Now that he didn't have to pretend to be a hero, he could do whatever he wanted. Jennifer had a security detail around her at all times, but they'll be of no trouble once he's frightened the population. By the time he's done, Tennyson's legacy will be shattered. "And still he doesn't show up to do anything. So, I ask you again. Where is your 'beloved' hero?"

"Right here, Nemesis." Everyone stopped screaming as they heard the voice of their hero. They parted to show Ben 10, standing tall and proud. Next to him was another guy with a big red gauntlet. "Sorry I had to leave, everyone. It's just that I am so awesome an alternate dimension recruited me to stop a hideous threat over there. Luckily they were nice enough to let me come back and kick some bad guy butt."

"Very cute, Tennyson. But you're no match for me. I still remember how easily you got taken down by this suit." He fired all lasers at Ben, creating a nice ball of energy where he had been standing. But to everyone's amazement, it started shrinking. Ben had changed into an alien with black skin with green lines covering his chest. He had two large antennae and a tail with plugs on them, drawing in the energy Nemesis had fired at him. Finally, he had sockets for fingers, aimed squarely at Nemesis.

"Last time, I kicked your ass and Nocturne got the drop on me in that suit." Ben said, his voice having an electronic tone to it. "But now, it's payback time." And he fired powerful blasts of energy from his fingers at Nemesis. He was bowled over by the blast, crashing into a building on the other side of the street. But he got back up, his megaphone grumbling and cursing. "Now Issei! Get him from behind!"

"Right." Issei said, charging up behind Nemesis. While he had been busy going after Ben, he had been charging up his attack. He had to be careful. He wanted enough power to one-shot the guy, but he didn't want to kill him. Here's hoping he got the timing right. "Go! Explosion!" He shouted, the familiar red orb forming in the palm of his hand. Nemesis could only watch as his armour was blasted away by the force. By the time Issei was done, it was just a pile of scrap. Ben jumped on top of the wreckage and pulled out a guy in broken orange armour. Everyone started streaming over to them, chanting Ben's name over and over. The guy looked the happiest Issei ever saw him, short of the time he found Mr Smoothies.

Ben 10 was finally home.

(**/*\**)

Ben sighed in relief as the plumber agents carried Nemesis away. Part of him had been worried that he'd wake up and grapple his way free, definitely noticing his breasts. But he hadn't. If he just kept this up, then no one would be any wiser. He just had to keep at this until he was finished in Issei's dimension.

"Great job, Ben." Grandpa Max said as he slapped him on the back. He looked exactly the same as before, still with grey hair, a bit of a gut, and his favourite Hawaiian shirt. But Ben remembered how he wore that even when he becomes Ben 10,000. "The good news is that thanks to your return, plenty of criminals have surrendered, or gone back into hiding. Now we can finally deal with the remaining threats since our workload has gotten smaller."

"You know, when people give good news, there's usually bad news too." Issei said. Ben hoped he was wrong, but things around him seemed to behave like they were from a comic book.

"Well, uh… you're actually right." Max started rubbing the back of head in embarrassment. "You see, now everyone knows that Ben 10 is back. Which also includes…"

"I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR STUPID ORDERS!" A lady shouted as she kept getting closer to them. "HE HAS BEEN MISSING FOR TWO MONTHS, AND I WAS AFRAID HE WAS DEAD! EITHER YOU LEAD ME TO HIM, OR I'LL START BREAKING…!" The lady stopped yelling as she rounded the corner. She had long blonde hair that looked like she hadn't looked after it in some time. He face would've been beautiful, if it was puffy from crying. She was staring at Ben like her dreams had come true. Mom.

"Oh, my baby." She said tearfully, pulling Ben into a big hug. Ben froze up as his breasts were squished against her chest. Mom stopped squeezing as she noticed the pressure. "Ben? What's squishing against my chest?"

"Uh…Well um…" He looked around for anything to stop this awkward conversation, but everyone just waved him on. "You see… The thing is I…" He sighed. He had to just say it. Like taking off a bandage. "When I got pulled into another dimension, I didn't exactly arrive looking the same as when I left." He took off the ID Mask that Blukic and Driba had programmed for him. As he removed it, he felt the tingling sensation as the hologram disappeared. Mom gasped as she saw that he was a girl now, and how massive his breasts were. He blushed in embarrassment, and tried to hide them behind his arms. Mom just gaped at him, like she couldn't believe he was her son. Ben felt like crying. Forget people thinking he was a pervert. They'd probably think she was just some crazy fan-girl. Mom got close to him, and turned his head so she could look him in the eyes. Something about them seemed to convince her he really was Ben. She pulled him into a soft hug, and he finally started crying.

"Oh, my baby." She said. "It's ok. It's ok. I'm just glad you're safe. We didn't know where you had gone, or what had happened to you. I thought… I thought…"

"I missed you guys." Ben whispered. "I missed you guys so much. I was afraid I would be stuck there forever." Everyone gave him a moment to cry, now that he was back home. After a while, Mom let him go and smiled at him.

"This may sound stupid, but I've kinda wanted a daughter too." The moment was enough to make Ben start giggling.

"Trust me Mom. I'm not going to stay like this any longer than I have to. In fact, the only reason I'm still like this is because I'm pretty sure gods are a bit out of my weight class. And for all I know, there really is a threat they need my help for."

"Uh huh." Mom said. She had a look in her eye that Ben wasn't too sure about. "Well then, I hope everyone's been treating you well over there."

"We have ma'am." Yuuto replied. "Though we weren't aware that 'Bri' was actually a guy, we still treated her like a friend."

"Oh, you're so sweet."

Akeno started giggling. "And Issei and Bri were really close. They even lived in the same house."

"I…see." By now, Ester had walked up to Ben.

"Hey, uh, Ben?" She asked nervously. "Can we…talk?" He had been dreading this. He almost wished someone was attacking right now.

"Uh, well. If no one else needs me for anything. Anything at all. Like, uh…testing or something?" No one was rising to the bait. Dammit. Ester dragged him off to who knows where. As he left though, he heard his mom talking.

"Say Issei, is it? Can I have a word with you?"

(**/*\**)

Ben and Ester were sitting on top of Grandpa Max's Plumbing store. It was the front for the entire Plumber base, though given how often bad guys broke in and out they didn't really need it. He was without his ID Mask, since Ester figured no one would realise who he was. Still, he was a bit nervous. But it did feel nice watching his own sunset with his girlfriend.

"Ben… I want to talk about our relationship." Ester was saying. His heart was sinking at those words. Nothing good ever came from 'talking about their relationship'. And there was still the love triangle he found himself in. He loved Ester. It'd take a while for him to admit it, but he really did. But he wasn't sure if she liked him anymore. Not the way he was looking. Sakura, on the other hand, liked him and his body. But how would she react to him being a guy? Why did these things have to be so complicated? "I like you. Really. Like, a lot. You're an amazing guy, you protect people, and you're pretty good looking. But that doesn't really, you know, change the fact that…"

"That right now I'm not a guy." Ben finished. "Right now, I'm a girl with a sexier figure than anyone I know. I'm aware of that. Every. Stupid. Day."

"I'm sorry Ben. I don't want to hurt you. But… some things we just can't change. And I'm afraid that no matter who much we like each other, I just can't 'love' a girl. I'm really sorry."

"It's ok. I understand." He consoled her. "Hell, I'd probably feel the same way if you were turned into a strapping dude."

"Would you anymore? I mean, you are a girl now. Sometimes things change."

"I…I don't know. I mean, my body does act weird around Issei."

"That guy with the spiky hair? Weird in what way?"

"Well, sometimes, when the other girls are around him and acting sexy, my heart starts burning. And it feels like it's about to explode."

"Ben, that's how I felt when I saw you." She pulled in close for a hug, but Ben pulled himself out.

"But there's also this girl. She's really beautiful, and kind, and tough. My body goes crazy around her, in ways it doesn't around Issei. And well…she…she told me that she liked me."

"And what did you say?" Ben thought he could pick up a warning tone in her voice. But, since they broke up, he might as well just say it.

"I said I couldn't, because I was already in a relationship with someone. I was with you. I pretended that you mistook me for a guy because I was a flat girl, and I didn't tell the truth because I liked you. But I get the feeling she's not going to let me go. Especially since I might've admitted you probably like guys. But now I don't know what to do." Ester stared at him for a bit, before hugging one shoulder. It was nice.

"Are you going to tell her the truth?" She asked. "I mean, I'm perfectly fine with you dating her. You deserve someone that loves you for who you are now. But you have to tell her the truth."

"I can't." Ben groaned. "She's already scared of me because of the Omnitrix. Over there, most people haven't seen aliens. She thought I was a demon at first. She only hangs out with me still because she loves me. What if I tell her the truth, and she runs away? I'm afraid of that."

"Ben. Any relationship made on lies will always fail. If you really care for her, really want her love, then you have to tell her the truth. And if she runs off, then she doesn't deserve you."

Ben choked out a sobbing laugh. "Never thought I'd get relationship advice from my ex-girlfriend on the same day we broke up."

"We're not exes just yet." She laughed. "I'm only renting you out until you get your man-bits back. Then, I expect us to be dating again."

"Probably." Ben said, laughing as she teasingly hit him on the head.

Maybe things will work out after all.

(**/*\**)

Issei couldn't believe it. He was really in an alien base. This was so awesome. If he could ever tell Motohama and Matsuda, they'd been so jealous. I mean, this was every boys' dream. All around him aliens of an unbelievable range of shapes and sizes were running around, all of them decked out in the same white spacesuit look. Some of them were escorting prisoners to these green cells, which were filled with even more aliens. He gasped as a white triangular spaceship rose up right in front of him. So cool!

"It's interesting isn't it?" Ben's mom said beside him. "I had a similar reaction when I first came here." Even though he wanted to keep watching, he grudgingly dragged himself after her. "I just had to call Carl to let him know our boy really is back safe. Although he thought I was joking when I told him he was a girl now."

"Ben looked really happy to be back here Mrs. Tennyson." Issei said as they found an empty room. "I don't think I'd ever be able to do anything to cheer him up like this."

"Call me Sandra." She said as the door closed behind him. He noted that she seemed to lock it after them. "And that's kind of what I wanted to talk to you about."

"What do you mean?"

"I noticed that my…daughter and you were very close. So I really have to ask. Are you two dating?"

He yelped as she asked him that. "What? No! No, we're not! I swear! I mean, he's a guy. A guy in a sexy body maybe, but he's still a guy."

"Well then, were you two dating?"

"No to that too. Bri wasn't really interested. And I've been burned badly before in a relationship, so I wasn't really interested either. We were just good friends. But you wouldn't believe the rumours at school. Plenty of people thought we were actually 'doing it'. Some even asked me when the wedding was."

"Why would they think that?"

Because they couldn't believe I'd hang out with a girl without trying to get into her pants, that's why."

"And why did they think that?" oh crap. He couldn't exactly tell the truth to her. But he couldn't think of a lie, so…

"I'm… kinda the school pervert." He said nervously, itching his head with one finger. "My friends and I are always getting into trouble for trying to peek on girls." He noticed that Sandra was glaring at him. "But I swear, any peeking I've done to Bri was purely accidental. I'm afraid she'd… I mean he'd kill me."

"Alright." She said finally. "I believe you." Then she got right up in his face, her finger nearly going up his nose. "But I still want to make it clear that if you hurt my child; or worse, get her pregnant, I will make you suffer."

"Trust me Sandra, if you want to make me suffer, you'll have to dig me up first. And Ben will kill me if I even so much as suggested sex." She kept staring at him, before giving him a massive smile. It was actually kinda creepy.

"Well good. Just wanted to clear that up." She unlocked the door and started leaving. "You should probably hit the lab. They've got some great stuff in there."

"I will." Issei said more to himself than her. "As soon as my heart stops racing."

(**/*\**)

Ben was humming a happy tune as he walked down the hallways. It felt nice, not having all this relationship crap hanging over his head like that. Of course, now he's got to tell Sakura the truth, but he'll cross that bridge when he gets back. For now, he was just enjoying being back in familiar territory. He was so busy thinking he nearly walked into Issei.

"This place is amazing." Issei said to him. "You get to do all the coolest stuff."

"Thanks." Ben replied. "You think this is cool, you should've seen Mount Rushmore. That was the first Plumber base I ever saw."

"Really? Awesome." They stood there for a bit, taking in the sites. Many criminals were watching Ben, looking angry over being captured again.

"So… My girlfriend and I broke up." Ben finally said. "We realised it wasn't going to work out anymore, or at least until I get back here permanently."

"Ouch. Sorry about that."

Ben shrugged. "It's cool. I was thinking something like that would happen."

"Right. Well, your mom cornered me and asked me a few questions."

"Questions like what?"

"You know, 'Is he happy? Is anyone hurting him? Does he have good friends?' Things like that." Ben had heard enough double-speak to know what he meant. He tried his best not to groan. Is there anyone who doesn't think they're dating? It is seriously getting annoying. But before they could talk some more, the alarm started blaring.

"Looks like we've got more trouble." He told Issei. "Come on! It's hero time!"

(**/*\**)

"…We've got multiple attacks at once." Grandpa Max was saying as the two of them rushed in. "It could be coincidence. Or it could be a co-ordinated strike taking advantage of the fact that Ben can't be everywhere at once. But whatever it is, we need to stop it now."

"So who's butts need whooping?" Ben asked, pumping himself up. It would be nice to have another normal fight. And with the others around, they'd be even easier.

"Billy Billions is still on the loose, and is causing mayhem over by his old elementary school. Trumbipulor is currently after another truck full of peanuts, while the Forever Knights are attacking Undertown. Finally, Zombozo's back scaring people." Ben's heart stuttered as he heard Zombozo's name. Of all the people to attack on his return, why did it have to be him? He could see everyone from home watching him.

"Erhem." He coughed. "Right then. Yuuto, you and Akeno go and deal with the Forever Knights. They're a group of medieval-themed guys led by a monster. Be careful. He's strong and tough. Kevin, you go with them." They nodded before Kevin led them out to a transport. "Koneko and Asia, take down Zombozo. He's a monster clown that gets stronger through fear. Hit him hard and fast, and watch out for any tricks." They nodded and followed the others. "Gwen and Rias, you guys have Trumbipulor. Don't let him eat peanuts, or he'll grow as big as Way Big. He has a fear of mice, and hate loud noises."

"Right." Gwen said. "I guess we'll just scream at him."

"Issei, Rook. You guys are with me. Billy's probably got some help smashing everything, so be prepared. And Blukic, Driba." The Galvan saluted as he turned to them. "You sure this mask will keep working?"

"Of course." Driba scoffed. "As long as you don't change into any form that isn't on the mask's system."

"Here's a list of what we programmed." Blukic said as he passed Ben a small list. Ben read through it before looking at them.

"It'll work, I guess."

(**/*\**)

"So who's this 'Billions' guy, anyway?" Issei asked as the three of them travelled by a small spaceship. It had looked like a truck when he first saw it, but Ben promised it was better than it looked. Once they left the tunnels it turned out he was right. It was now a cool orange-and-cream coloured spaceship with four wings. This was now Issei's dream car.

"Billy is an old classmate of my, back when we were at Elementary." Ben replied, relaxing on the drive over. "He was jealous of me because I was more popular than him even though he was a 'genius'. Thing is, I was the second least popular kid in school."

"Which must've made Billy the least popular kid." Issei finished.

"Yeah. So when I was out doing hero stuff, he tried to use a beam to send me to another dimension. But I was Diamondhead at the time, so it bounced right off and hit him."

"Serves him right."

"But because of that, he still looks…" Ben stopped talking at they were nearly shot out of the sky. Rook steered the Proto-Truk to land on the ground, with Billions right in front of them. "…He still looks like a kid."

"Tremble before me, Tennyson!" Billy shouted atop his giant robot. It was a large red robot, shaped like a disc and with several arms coming from the sides. Next to him was a tall, leggy girl. She looked pretty. Could've been a bit bigger in the chest department, but you can't have everything. "Now I am supreme! But, I'm willing to let you crawl back to your hole if you admit that I'm better than you."

"Pfft. Dream on Billy. I'm too busy wondering why you're using another robot from dimension 12. Didn't they try to kill you last time?"

"That was because of outside interference." Billy shouted, his face bright-red. "But this time, I've got some real help." Issei saw from the corner of his eye a few bombs being thrown at them. But before he could do something, Rook's shoulder tool-thing fired a net at them, causing them to explode harmlessly away from them. "I'm sure you remember your other arch-nemesis." A tall, beefy-looking man dressed in a brown bodysuit stood next to Billions. On his chest was a picture of a kangaroo, and he had what looked like a belt full of gadgets. Ben obviously recognised the guy.

"Kane North." He said, glaring at him. "Still holding onto the past, aren't you?"

"That's Kangaroo Commando, Tennyson." Kane growled at him.

"My point exactly." Kane growled again, before two long metal poles extended from his boots. He used them to jump incredibly high, aiming one foot at their location. They scattered as Kane slammed into the ground hard enough to make a crater.

"As you can see, I've improved my arsenal since we last met. You have no chance."

"Last time we met, you were using TV props. And I whooped your butt until the Omnitrix timed out." Ben went through the motions of using the Omnitrix, even though he didn't need to. He changed into a grasshopper-like alien, with a large horn on the top of his head. He also wore a bodysuit that covered his body, leaving his arms, head, and legs free. Ben called that form Crashhopper. "And I've got a few new forms to kick you around with." He then jumped headfirst at Kane, sending the two of them flying into a building. Issei and Rook regrouped in front of the robot.

"Guess that just leaves us with him." Issei said to Rook. "Any tips?"

"Billy is no threat on his own." Rook replied. "Focus on the robot and the girl."

"The girl?" Issei asked as he jumped up to the top of the robot, smashing aside a claw as he went. "What, does she know kung-fu?"

"No." Rook answered, pulling off his shoulder-tool so that it turned into a blaster. "She is a robot." Issei realised that when his fist went 'clang' against her arm. He ducked as she threw out a kick.

"Hold on. So she's a robot, built by this kid. And this 'kid' is actually the same as Ben?" He started laughing. "Dude, you seriously built yourself a girlfriend? That is so lame."

"Shut-up, weirdo!" Billy started shouting. "At least my country doesn't make weird stuff like a robot fuelled by perversion, or a person that turns into a pig and fights crime."

"Hey! No one disses my country like that!" Issei's Gear started glowing as he got angrier. When he punched the girl, the force behind it shattered her arms, and the explosion sent her flying. Down below, the robot started tilting as Rook did something to it.

"No fair, no fair!" Billy started whining like a baby. "Mazuma should've smashed you." He yelled as everything started sliding when the robot toppled. He activated a jetpack, blowing a raspberry at Issei, only to get knocked out of the sky by Kane. As the two of them laid there groaning, Ben landed on top of them.

"Well that was easy." He said as he turned back. "I wonder if the others are doing as well as we are."

(**/*\**)

Trumbipulor groaned as Gwen used another spell to knock him around. He kept falling into potholes Rias was making with her magic, tiring him out. He was already weak after she blew up the truck full of peanuts, and they were making things worse for him. Finally, Rias and Gwen co-ordinated to sever a large metal beam and then have Gwen's mana smash him over the head with it. He wobbled a bit before finally going down for the count. Gwen sighed in exhaustion. "Ben makes this look easy when he does it."

Rias giggled. "I still call this a win."

(**/*\**)

Yuuto was having fun. At least 3 guys who used swords to fight. They were actually making him put some effort into his fight. Kevin had absorbed some of their armour and was keeping their 'Forever King' distracted while Akeno blasted him. Chadwick roared in pain again and again.

"You filthy aliens dare to strike the True Forever King?" He roared at them, picking up a tree and swinging it at Kevin. "I'll grind your bones to dust."

"Yeah, and then what?" Kevin shouted back as he dodged. "Then you'll use them to make your bread? You're nothing more than a clown, Chadwick. If there was any other King left, these guys would leave you in a heartbeat." The knights stopped fighting long enough to tell their king that they would never leave him. Chadwick merely roared again and threw his tree at Akeno after another blast. Yuuto was getting worried. Akeno had hit him enough times to kill plenty of monsters. But he just kept getting back up and rampaging some more. At this rate, he might have to use Sword Birth and he might end up killing the guy. Still, it was either him or them.

"Sword Birth!" He yelled as he stabbed his sword into the ground. Chadwick yelled in pain as his legs were skewered by several swords, causing to topple onto more. While he was doing that, Akeno blasted the knights, who fell a lot faster than their king. But Chadwick was getting back up again, the wounds healing over. Kevin quickly rushed in, and started pounding his face in. Eventually, after a while of this, Chadwick finally toppled over. Kevin groaned as he got out from under him.

"Next time, Ben can deal with this guy." He groaned.

(**/*\**)

Koneko panted as she finally stood over Zombozo. The clown had been a real hassle, always having a new trick literally up his sleeves. If it wasn't for her toughness and Asia's healing, he might've won. As it was, she was pretty sure that Asia's fear helped strengthen him. But they finally did it. "Koneko here." She spoke into the badge the Plumbers had given her. "Zombozo's down. Requesting evac." She wasn't too sure what the actually phrase was, but evac sounded rad. A moment later, the wind started blowing as a white Plumber shuttle landed nearby. As the Plumber agents exited, they started staring at her. Most of her clothes had been wrecked by the acid.

"Suck it pervs." She told them, covering herself as best as she could. One of them pulled out a towel for her.

She was going to need tougher clothes.

(**/*\**)

Hold on." Issei said as they walked down Main Street. Ben had removed his mask and put on his hood to hide from any attention. "You used to watch that guy's show?"

"Not Kane, his brother Abel." Ben replied. "I was one of his biggest fans when I was a kid. His show was part of the reason I wanted to be a hero. But when I got to Planetary Studios they had cancelled his show for the stupidest thing ever. Super Alien Hero Buddy Adventures."

"I have heard of that show." Rook said excitedly. "It has been running for over two years, after a long hiatus 4 years ago." He looked over at an electronic store. "In fact, it is playing right now." He and Issei ran over to have a look at it, while Ben stumbled over after them in a funk. As Issei watched, a man than made animal bigger was terrorising a local school, wrecking sports equipment, shredding books and writing mean things on the blackboard. Suddenly, all the children cheered as a team of heroes arrived to help. One of them was a big friendly dinosaur that was a bit clumsy; while another was a black and white kid that split into a crowd of heroes and sounded like chipmunks. And the final member was a plant man that threw bouncing seeds at the animals. Wait.

"Are these supposed to be you?" He asked Ben. The poor guy just hung his head in shame. No wonder he hated the show.

"Apparently, because my forms are aliens and thus not covered by the legal system, they could get away with profiting from my fame and making me look like an idiot. And since it was made before my identity was revealed, I still can't sue them into cancelling." He shook his head and just kept walking. "Whatever. Let's just head on back to Grandpa's. Maybe there'll be something else to fight.

"Ben… I mean Bri, you have some weird enemies."

(**/*\**)

Rias and Asia had a good laugh as they went around town. It was so amazing, going around a completely different dimension without having to keep worrying about being attacked. Dimension 23 was nice, but they barely got to enjoy it. They had just been down in Undertown, Bellwood's local alien town. They had been so amazed by all the different aliens down there. And to think Ben had the potential to become any of them. It was unbelievable.

"So what should we do now?" Rias asked Asia. Truthfully, she would've rather spent this journey with Issei, but she doubted Asia would've let them go alone. And he was spending some time getting to know the 'real' Bri. Part of her was still embarrassed that she spent nights in bed with another guy instead of Issei, but it did explain her behaviour. And at least she wasn't going to be a rival anymore.

"Well, we're not far from Billions Tower and Nemesis Tower, both owned by respected people until they were revealed to be criminals and lost against Ben 10." Asia said as she read the tour book they were given by the Plumbers. "They offer tours to show where and how Ben managed to beat them."

"Sounds great. Let's get to it." But before they got far, they ran across a young kid crying his eyes out. He looked a bit strange, with white hair and red clothing. Rias could see Asia aching to help him.

"It's ok." She said to him. "What's wrong?"

The boy sniffled, peeking past his balled-up hands to look at them. He had red eyes, meaning he had to be an Albino. "I-I can't get in-into Billions. My dad works th-there as a guide, and I lost the key he gave me. He's too busy to get his phone, and I'm tired, an-and scared, and I want my mommy!"

"Oh. There, there. It's alright. Rias can open the door for you." Rias sighed. Her destruction magic wasn't supposed to be a key. But, she couldn't just leave the poor kid. So she agreed, and the kid, Al, led them to a side door. It was easy to blast it open, but when Asia offered to help him find his father, Al said he could handle it now that he was inside. "That was such a nice kid. But somehow he looked familiar."

"Don't worry about it." Rias told her. "now, we'd better hurry if we don't want to be late for the tours."

(**/*\**)

"Thank you all for coming." Grandpa Max said to the club as they returned from their travels. Koneko was now wearing jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, to replace her damaged clothes. "I hope you all had a good time exploring Bellwood. But we've got another problem."

"Wow." Yuuto said. "You guys don't do things by halves, do you?"

"Nope." Ben replied. "Everything always happens at once." They stopped talking at Max glared at them.

"As I was saying, it turns out that all the crimes were linked. While we were busy dealing with them, someone broke into Nemesis Tower and stole several items from its stores. They then struck Plumber HQ, taking several items as well, we don't know what they could be used for, but they're not going to be good."

"We really need to update security. Do we at least know who's behind it."

"We think so. We got a few DNA strands left behind during the robberies. We're pretty sure it was Albedo."

"Dammit." Ben cursed. He thought he wouldn't be a threat after being aged down.

"Wait." Issei said. "Who's Albedo?"

"My evil twin. Well, sorta. He used to be a Galvan like Blukic and Driba, but he built a knock-off Omnitrix which locked him as me. He's been trying to change back ever since. Of course, when he finally does, he's more interested in revenge. The last time I kicked his sorry ass, Azmuth tinkered with his Omnitrix and turned into a younger me."

"What does he look like? You'd think everyone would notice a younger you running around."

"Yeah, you would. Especially since due to a malfunction, he's got white hair, and red eyes and clothes." Asia squeaked, drawing everyone's attention. "What?"

Rias stepped forward. "While Asia and I were going around town, we helped a boy with white hair break into Billions Tower. He told us a sob story about how his dad was a tour guide and he got locked out accidently. Sorry."

"Don't apologise. Rook got fooled too. And thanks to that, I spent nearly the whole day in a cell." He gave Rook a small glare. "But that's not important. He's probably planning on using all that stuff to return to normal. Or at least regular me."

"All units, move out!" Grandpa Max shouted into the intercom. "Ben, put your mask back on and get your team moving."

"Right."

(**/*\**)

It had been easy getting into Billions Tower. Even the group that was about to do a tour agreed to stay out of the way. A few fans got dangerously close to Ben, but he managed to sidestep them. They were all waiting outside a massive door while the two little aliens were hacking the door. They were taking a very long time.

"What's taking so long." Issei moaned. "Is it that complicated?"

"Probably not." Ben replied. "For Galvans, they're not that smart."

"Well maybe we'd work faster if everyone stopped insulting us." The Galvan in the Plumber suit said angrily.

"But they're right." The other one said. He looked a lot like an alien hillbilly. These guys were their tech people? That was shocking.

"They are not."

"Are too."

"Are not."

"Are too."

"Are not." This went on for a while, until Ben got bored and hit them. They grumbled some more, but they finally got the door open. Everyone rushed in, moving towards anything that could act like cover. Issei peeked over his cover to look at the room. Like the rest of the tower, everything seemed to be made of bronze. There was plenty of tech lying around, but there was no sign of this guy they were after.

"Well, well." Ben said. Only, it with a creepier, monotonous voice. And it came from above them. Everyone looked up to see their target gazing down at them. Issei gasped. He did look almost like Ben. He had the same build, hairstyle and clothes, but they were all more sinister. While Ben looked like he was about to slap you on the back and call you friend, this Ben looked like he was planning on dissecting you. Issei would've been creeped out it he had a copy like him. "So you really have returned, Tennyson. I'm actually glad. Now I don't have to hunt you down to kill you."

"Bring it on, Albedo." Ben shouted back, before changing into Crashhopper. He sprung hard enough to smash through the platform Albedo had been sitting on, but Albedo turned into a rock alien. Gravattack. Everyone started blasting, but most of their shots didn't even faze him. Gwen trapped him in magic for Kevin to smash, but Albedo raised one hand and Kevin went flying towards the roof. Gwen redirected her spell to grab him, and Albedo used that time to throw her against the wall. He was distracted as Ben slammed into the back of him, throwing him to the ground. Koneko and Yuuto rushed in and tried to pummel him, but as soon as they got in range they were caught by some kind of force and circled around him. Albedo then threw them at several Plumbers, knocking them out cold. Damn! So this is what Ben could do if he was a villain. It was actually pretty scary. Issei was even more glad that Ben was on their side. But now it was his turn.

"Go! Booster Gear, Explosion!" He yelled, firing a blast at Albedo. It hit him dead on, and threw him all the way to the other side of the room. Ben came charging in again, and partway through his jump he changed into Atomix. But Albedo smiled at him evilly. He reached out to his Omnitrix and pressed a few buttons, causing Ben to start screaming in pain.

"I didn't actually need most of the stuff I stole to age myself again. That was what Billions was for. I just needed the extra equipment to disarm you, Tennyson. As long as my Omnitrix is active, you can't use any form that is in my database. Face it Tennyson, you've lost." He finally turned to smirk at Ben, only to stop in shock. Issei turned around and groaned. Ben had turned back to normal from the pain, and his mask had fallen off. Everyone could see he was a girl now. Albedo started laughing.

"My, my, Tennyson. It looks like I wasn't the only one that didn't like your form. Still, I had no idea you wanted to be the opposite gender." He growled as Rook fired blast after blast, before changing into Humungosaur and punching him out. "You have humiliated me time after time, ruining my pride with your disgusting body, your filthy habits, and your chili fries. Well, now I think it's time for me to ruin something of yours. I wonder what will happen when everyone finds out you had a sex change." He tapped his Omnitrix, becoming bigger and bulkier with metal veins all over his body. Ultimate Humungosaur. "But first, I think I'll break you."

"Screw you, Albedo." Bri growled as Asia healed her. "You really think I care what you think? I'll still kick your sorry ass." She smirked at him. "Because I've got a few things not on your database." She glowed with a green light, before standing up looking the same as before. But after a second, Issei realised she looked slightly different. Her posture was different, more sultry than before. She had a sharper look to her face. And then large black-feathered wings sprouted from her back through her clothing. A green spear of light formed in her hands. "Time you met a Fallen Angel." Bri said, before hurling the spear at Albedo. He tried to block it, but Kevin came racing up behind him and smashed him in the leg with a hammer. Albedo yelled from the pain, only to yell louder as the spear penetrated his chest. Ben made another and flew close to him, slicing a groove in his skin. When she pulled away, Akeno blasted him from on high with her lightning, now wearing her priestess outfit. It didn't do anything, but it did distract him long enough for Rias to blast a hole in the floor under his feet, scorching his toes while she was at it. Albedo fell to the next floor, but came rushing out as Jetray. He was now a dark-red glider-looking alien, and was firing laser from his eyes and tail. He was trying to hit Bri, but she managed to flap away at the last moment before slashing at him with her spear. She threw it, missing Albedo by a few inches, before having it explode and knock him out of the air. Issei charged forward and caught him with his fist, slamming him into the ceiling. On the way down though, he changed form again. Now he was a monkey with 6 arms, before becoming a gorilla with 8 arms. This must be Ultimate Spidermonkey. Issei moved as Albedo nearly crushed him, but was caught by webbing from his mouth. He yelled as Albedo through him into Rias, knocking them both out of the sky. Then Albedo caught Bri by the wings, dragging her closer.

"You fool." He said. "Don't you know that several types of spiders eat birds? I'm going to enjoy plucking you."

"Shut up!" Bri yelled, before changing again. The webbing went slack as the wings disappeared. Now her wings burned with fire, and she started blasting him with flames. Holy crap! She copied Phenex? That is so fucking awesome! Akeno was blasting away again, but Albedo was agile enough to avoid her. When they were looking for him, he dropped behind her and started binding her head to toe. Bri managed to scare him off, but Akeno landed heavily in the confusion. Now it was just him, Bri and Kevin. As Kevin blindsided Albedo, the criminal growled.

"I should've done this from the beginning." He said, as he changed form again. Now he was Armodrillo, but his skin was red instead of yellow. He grabbed Kevin in one hand and started squeezing. Kevin yelled as creaking sounds came from him. He only stopped when Issei fired another explosion at him. But it wasn't enough to hurt him. He hadn't charged it enough. Dammit. Now what?

"Issei!" Bri shouted. "Tag team!" Tag what? Oh, right. Scale mail. He smiled as he started charging for it.

"WELSH DRAGON! OVER BOOSTER!" His Gear shouted as the red armour formed around him. In a flash of green light, Bri was in her armour too. Issei instantly charged for Albedo, planning on hitting him before he could change form. After his strike sent him spinning, Bri slammed into his back, sending Albedo flying. He tried to swat them whenever they got close, but he was always being blindsided by one of them. There were now noticeable dents in his armour. Finally, they both charged their explosions before rushing forward. Albedo could only watch as the slammed into him at full speed, before unleashing their blasts. Once the smoke cleared, he toppled over and turned back to normal. Blukic and Driba rushed forward and started tinkering with his Omnitrix. By now, everyone else was getting back up.

They did it. They managed to beat him.

(**/*\**)

"Good thing you had those extra forms." Grandpa Max said as they recuperated in the infirmary. Asia was going around, healing everyone that had ended up there. "I'll admit, I was worried once he revealed that new function."

"So was I." Ben replied as he put his shirt back on. One of Albedo's attacks had scared Asia so much she fainted. Until she woke up, Ben had to make do with bandages after a heavy blow to the chest. "How long till Blukic and Driba get it disabled?"

"They don't know. We might have to call Azmuth about this. But he's not picking up any of our calls. Right now, all we can do is make sure he doesn't escape."

"We should probably get back now." Rias mentioned. "I'm afraid even I can't just go missing without any consequences. For all we know, things might've moved in while we've been gone."

"Indeed." Rook said. "And as you are in another dimension, you may be out of range of Albedo's scrambler." Ben wanted to say no. He wanted to say he wanted to stay here. He wanted to leave the others and be with his folks.

But that wouldn't let him become a guy again. And he knew he'd always be thinking about if they handled their threat without him. And Sakura…

"You've got a point Rook." He finally said. "But are you sure you can handle things without me? Things looked a bit bad when I stopped Nemesis."

"We can handle ourselves, Ben. Everyone just thought you were gone for good. But now that everyone knows you're alive, I'm sure we'll be able to keep them on their best behaviour."

"Thanks, Grandpa." By now, the whole team was up and ready. Rias was talking to the others, probably letting them know they were going home. Ben smiled. He could handle another couple of months now that he knew that things were ok back here.

"Don't forget about us." Gwen said, as she, Kevin, Ester, Mom, and Dad walked over. Dad was staring a little too much at Ben. He was just glad he was wearing something modest. "You need us to get you guys over."

"And wasn't there something you were going to do when you got there?" Ester asked coyly. Ben gulped. Right. Telling Sakura the truth. He almost wanted to fight Albedo again.

That would've been easier on his nerves.

(**/*\**)

Ester was practically dragging him over to Sakura's house. He tried to make up plenty of excuses, but she wasn't buying any of them. His heart was fluttering like crazy with each step. Why did he agree to this? Why didn't he just say he'd go by himself? She was already suspicious of him. What if she hated him for being a guy? This was never going to work. He should run. He should run. He should…

His thoughts were interrupted by the ring of her doorbell. His heart was about to blast out of his chest he was panicking so much. Sakura opened the door, dressed in a girly skirt and blouse. She blinked when she saw Ester's appearance.

"Hi there." Ester said happily. "You must be Sakura. My name's Ester, and you already know my 'boyfriend' Bri." Sakura's expression cleared up as she realised who she was. "Now, I believe that you two have something to say to each other." Ben yelped as Ester nearly threw him at Sakura. Before he could escape, Sakura grabbed his hand and pulled him in. As he looked back, he saw Ester wave at him before closing the door.

This will be a disaster.

(**/*\**)

Ester raced as she tried to find the room they'd have their talk in. She wanted to make sure they did talk about the truth. Ben was really sweet, but he had difficulty admitting when he loved someone. Truth be told, she first thought he had a crush on Issei. She finally found them in a bedroom, decorated with pink and soccer posters. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but she could get an idea through body language. Ben was scared, talking non-stop while fidgeting. Sakura was looking at him, first in confusion, then in surprise and alarm. Her heart sank. Things were not looking good. After about an hour of this, Ben petered out and stared at his hands. Sakura wasn't saying anything, just staring at him. Then she surprised them.

She threw herself at Ben and gave him a big kiss.

Ben just froze up for a moment, before wrapping his… her arms around the smaller girl. Ester felt a twinge of anger as she wished they had embraced like that. But if it made Ben happy, then she wasn't going to stop him.

She just hoped that he'd still love her when he changed back.

(**/*\**)

Sakura smiled like it was Christmas, her birthday, and Valentine's day all rolled into one. She did it! She's finally dating the girl of her dream. Well, except that she wasn't actually a girl. Or at least, wouldn't be forever. Still, she had all the parts, and she was soft and bouncy, and that's all that mattered to her. Plus, it was kind of a bonus. A straight guy would love to have a lesbian relationship. At least, that's what all those ecchi things kept saying. Hmm. Maybe she shouldn't keep using them as reference material from now on. She didn't want to scare Bri off now. But for now, she was merely enjoying her warm embrace. It was so heavenly.

"I, uh… I kinda need to use the loo." Bri said breathlessly as they pulled away. "I think you're pressing down on my bladder."

Sakura giggled. "Alright. You remember where it is." Bri nodded, before rushing down the hall. Either Bri was really using the bathroom, or she was preparing herself for later. Either way, nothing was interrupting their evening.

Sh groaned as she heard someone knocking on the door. Who the hell could that be? She swore that if it was Ester, she'd tell her to lay off. Bri was her girlfriend now. She could have her back when she was a dude. Sakura opened the door, and surprise, surprise it was Ester.

"Sorry for interrupting your moment." Ester apologised. "But I just wanted to have a talk."

"I already know that Bri was a guy, and your boyfriend."

"I know. I just wanted to make it clear that if you hurt Ben in any way, I will lead my entire clan here and kick your ass. I'm only for him dating another girl because it just wouldn't work out between us right now, and I want him to be happy. Got it?"

"Believe me, Ester. If I did hurt her, I'd call you first." Ester nodded before walking off. Probably to the portal she came over on. Sakura closed the door, and walked back to her room to find Bri looking around.

"There you are." She said as she turned around. "I was wondering where you had gone."

"Just someone at the door." She pulled part of her collar down to bare her shoulder. "Now, how are we feeling?"

Bri gulped. "Uh, could we take it a bit slower? I'm just… I'm not really comfortable around that yet." Sakura smiled back at her, pulling her shirt up again. She held Bri's hand, and gave her a slow kiss.

"Take your time. I don't mind"

So there we go. We see Bellwood again, meet up with everyone, and Bri has a new love interest. Fun times for all.

This chapter was interesting to write, seeing as how Ben was in a dimension where everyone knows about him and he's still a girl. I remembered that ID Masks could also alter your voice, seeing as how a DNAlien used it to pretend to be a grouchy old lady.

And because they haven't released the Vengers episode yet, my story is now set before 'And then there were none', the start of season 6. I'm not too sure how long season 2 of Highschool DxD is from season 1, so everything will just be happening a couple of months later.

It might be a bit longer before I start season 2. I want to watch the episode beforehand, and I also want to work on some other stories too. Hopefully, I won't take too long to get started.

Enjoy.

Edit: Forgot to mention this but WHOOO! Reached 100,000 words. Hip hip hooray!