It had been two days since Jack had met with Mac and his friends. In that time, the group had been enjoying themselves and their time together. Jack would catch fish with his bare hands and pick berries that were safe to eat. Bloo tried to one-up him a few times but either fell into the stream claiming he meant to do it or would eat random berries only to spit them out behind the cover of a bush. He would then "let" Jack take over to give him a chance to impress him. At night, Mac showed Jack how to make s'mores while he told tales of his travels in the alternate future. Even Bloo, the narcissist he was, looked in surprise here and there. Mac also explained that his friends lived at a foster home fittingly named Foster's but Bloo was exempt from adoption thanks to a deal with the owner. Each of them told Jack about their past lives and the kids who created them save for Bloo, who spun a wild tale about being a big shot while Coco could not be understood; a rare scenario which came when talking about her creator. Mac used his phone to show Jack pictures of different places of the world, including the towns where his pen pals lived. Jack was interested in the device at first, but was not completely mystified considering past technological interactions. All in all, the group enjoyed each other's company for the most part.

On the third day, Jack came to see the Foster's crew rolling up their tent and loading their backpacks. Mac was the first to see Jack and waved, "Hey, Jack! You came by just in time."

"Are you leaving?"

"Yeah, we had fun and all, but it was just for the weekend." He zipped up his pack and put on his back. "So, ya ready?"

"To come with you?"

"Of course. I called ahead and Madame Foster thinks she can find some place you can crash before we go."

"Thank you, but I do not wish to impose."

"Come on, it'll be easier for everyone if you come."

"Si, not to mention safer."

"Coco coco coco."

"I'm certainly not coming out here again," Bloo grumbled. Jack smiled, "Thank you. I am honored by your hospitality my friends."

"Then let's go!" Mac declared. Everyone took a fair share except for Bloo who gave all of his luggage to Wilt who took it with a smile. After thirty minutes on the dirt trail, they arrived at a black parking lot with several parked cars. "Ah, man," Bloo groaned. "Where the heck is Frankie?" On cue, a blue bus painted in almost a seventies manner with "Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends" written as a logo on both sides pulled up. When the door swung open, in the driver's seat was a young red-haired woman in a green jacket, white top, purple skirt and tennis shoes. "Hey guys," her voice was chipper but not over optimistic or too bright. "Ya ready to go?" First came Eduardo, then Wilt, Coco, Bloo and Mac. Before heading to his seat, the boy stopped. "Oh, I forgot. Frankie, this is Jack. The guy I talked to Madame Foster about." Frankie turned to the samurai and gave a warm smile. "Hey, my name's Frankie. Mac's said a lot about you." Jack bowed slightly, "I thank you for allowing me to stay at your home, madam."

"Oh, no. My grandma owns the place, I just work there. Hop on!" Jack did so and found a seat in front of the gang, sitting by the window on the left side. The bus started and began moving, the motor not causing any surprise in Jack. As the friends were talking to each other, Jack surveyed his surroundings in silence, face expressionless. They passed small parks, shops and suburban residences that radiated peace. Suddenly, Jack felt a tugging on his sleeve. The samurai looked down to find Mac on the other end. "You okay?" Jack smiled slightly. "Yes. I am glad to see the world without Aku's tyranny. Once I return, I will tell of this future to my people."

"Good to hear." The bus ride was uneventful save for Bloo sneaking behind Frankie to pull a prank. Before starting his hijinks, Frankie warned him that if he did anything, he would be walking the rest of the way, promptly bursting his bubble.

Eventually, the bus stopped in front of a gate to a tall manor, the word Foster's at the top of the iron obstruction. After shifting the bus to park, Frankie turned around, "Alright, this is the place." Jack rose slowly and followed the imaginary friends who bounded out of the vehicle. Frankie led the band to the doors. Opening it revealed a grand foyer, the walls, ceiling and stairs were light pink while the tiles alternated pink and white. On the left side of the stairs was a marble pedestal with a white bust of an old woman with a hair bob and glasses, her jowls fairly pronounced. "Miss Frances!" A voice sounding like that of a middle-aged high-society man rang out from the right hallway. From the corridor came a man-sized cream colored rabbit on two legs dressed with a monocle, black top hat and suit coat and white gloves. Rather than walk, he hopped about a foot's distance before reaching Frankie. "Ms. Frances, I noticed that you failed to make the bed in the guest room or raise the blinds to exactly seven inches in length. If the madam's guest arrives-"

"Hello." The rabbit leaned to the side to see Jack behind Wilt's legs. The rabbit gasped quickly before making his way to Jack, "I apologize for my character, sir, it was unbecoming of me." Jack chuckled, "No, it is quite alright," he bowed, "I am honored to be in your home." The rabbit huffed in surprised, "Well, your manners are a welcome change of pace," Jack straightened his arched back before the imaginary friend continued, "I am Mr. Herriman and I welcome you master..."

"Jack." Frankie spoke up.

"Yes, of course. Now if we could summon the Madame-" Suddenly, a high-pitched voice came from atop the stairwell, "Did someone call my name?! My ears started burning!" The group looked up to see a short, smiling woman with the same face as the bust near them. She wore a similar fashion as Frankie with a green wool jacket and purple long skirt but wore a blouse underneath and a pair of black shoes. In her hand was a simple cane keeping her up. "Just wait there," she called, "Be there in a sec!" Everyone was in silence as she took forty-five seconds to hobble down to them. "Now, who is this mysterious rrrogue in our midst?" She took the liberty of rolling her R's.

"Right here, grandma." They cleared her path to Jack. "Now let's see here." The woman turned her head up to see Jack, to which he responded by bowing once again. "Greetings, Madame. I am honored to be allowed a place to stay here and am in your debt." She instantly burst out laughing for half a minute, Jack's eyebrow raising slightly. "Did my funny bunny tell you to say that? Oh, Herriman, you really are too uptight." She turned back to the samurai, "Well, not much to say but welcome, Jack. Your room is, uh, somewhere around here. Just make yourself at home, get a feel for the place. You know."

"Thank you." Jack smiled. Herriman helped Madame Foster back up the stairs before Frankie said, "Well, I got work to do; you don't mind showing Jack around, do you?"

"Do we gotta?" Bloo whined before Mac nudged him. "Of course we will," Wilt exclaimed.

For the rest of the day, the Foster's gang and Jack toured around the massive mansion, visiting the arcade, dining room, several game courts, the stables, the room that must never be opened, the otherroom that must never be opened, the gardens and dozens of other places.

At about six o'clock, a voice echoed through the house, "Dinnertime!" It was Herriman over a loud speaker that made Jack dart his eyes around before relaxing. When they reached the dining hall, Jack couldn't help but stare. Not only was it massive with a table that stretched long enough to seat an inconceivable number of people, but it was filled with imaginary friends of all shapes and sizes. There was a cycloptic T-Rex, a two-headed long-necked thing, a man-sized owl and a particularly rude creature that seemed to have leapt out from a late Picasso or Dali, to name a few. Some of them actually stared in Jack's direction but were mostly focused on his sword. The meal was composed of roast chicken, meatloaf, various fruits and vegetables and much more. The conversations were spread between everyone but they didn't get out of hand. Afterwards, most of the friends went their own ways to different parts of the house. When Jack left and entered the foyer, the Foster's gang was there saying goodbye to Mac. "Where are you going?" Jack asked the boy, "Home; I got school tomorrow."

"Oh, of course."

"Don't worry, I'll be back tomorrow and this weekend we can go see my friend."

"Yes, excellent. By the way, what is his name?"

"Steven. Steven Universe."

Three days later

Dexter sat in a red, furnished chair at a wooden table in a marble room. Behind him was Computress, hovering and making calculations on her tablet. To his left by another edge was Mandark fiddling with a wrist device, occasionally trading icy stares with his rival. After a long silent wait, two wooden double doors creaked open as three individuals entered. On the left was a woman in her thirties with shoulder-length brown hair, thick glasses, a grey suit and a black tablet. On the right was a man in his fifties dressed in a green army officer's uniform that was decked with medals of different colors. His hair was grey and short, no higher than an inch. Between them was an African-American with greying temples in a navy suit with an America pin. Dexter and Mandark rose from their seats and walked to the man. He shook both of their hands before they each took a seat. "Gentlemen," his voice was deep and proud, "Are we absolutely sure that today is the day?"

"Yes sir, President Andrews," Dexter stated, "The foreign object is set to arrive in front of the White House in five hours. What I don't understand is why you have made Mr. Astronomanov aware." The other man ahemed, "Mandark Industries holds some of our most valuable weapons contracts. It was imperative to include him to help with study."

"Thank you, general Engel." Mandark flashed a quick smirk at Dexter. "Regardless," the woman spoke, "You are the only few geniuses we could get. Professor Utonium is refusing visitors, Mojo Jojo has stayed quiet..."

"And the plumbers?" Computress asked. General Engel raised an eyebrow, "How do you-?"

"We're still keeping the public dark about them." President Andrews interrupted. "We may need them." Dexter continued. "Despite long-range scanning and various attempts at satellite probing, we have gained little intelligence regarding the UFOs." Mandark snickered, "I'm sorry, have youfound out anything about these meteors, Mandark?" He pouted. "That's what I thought. Mr. President, these things are clearly intelligent if they can keep themselves, for the most part, hidden. If they prove hostile and their planet is coming, we may need more troops. I would suggest we bring in the Kids Next Door to-" Engel slammed the table, "Absolutely not! This administration will not request the aid of terrorists!"

"You are aware," Computress began, "That they have saved the world from several Omega-class dangers."

"True," the female advisor conceded, "But they are responsible for unwarranted destruction of private, public and federal properties. They also have stated that any person over the age of thirteen is a threat to everyone else."

"For God's sake, they think that the government was designed for the sole purpose of oppressing children and that a sea of asparagus exists! They've held people hostage and ransomed them for shorter school days!"

"True," Dexter conceded, "I'm simply suggesting it should the need arise."

Suddenly, Computress' tablet began flashing red. Dexter leapt out of his seat. "Computress, has it-?"

"It's here."

"Damn." He turned to the others with a stern face. "The anomaly has entered our atmosphere! At best, we have minutes before it lands."

"Wait," Mandark interrupted, "Didn't you say it would land five hours later?"

"Obviously," Computress retorted, "It must have accelerated." Engel put his hands together, "So they dohave technological capabilities. Perhaps-" Before the general finished, a quake rocked the White House, forcing everyone but Computress to duck under the table. After it was over, the group rose. Suddenly, two men in sunglasses and suits burst in. "Mr. President, we have a situation." The guards led the crew outside the front door. In front of them was a large crater in the place of the now decimated yard and fences. In its center was a green, liquid-like meteor, pulsing slightly. Around the crater's circumference were teams of soldiers, men in hazmat suits and Dexbots with odd vacuum-like equipment. A Dexbot rolled down to the strange object and stared for half a minute. It slowly placed its hand on it when the robot's appendage became covered in green slime. It tried to move back but its arm was glued. Three more Dexbots joined the calm machine and attempted to free it.

Suddenly, green tentacles erupted from the meteor and grabbed the helpless Dexbots as they were dragged into the orb; one of them gripped the ground in desperate but futile defiance. All watched in horror as the robot cried, "Help, me!" before being absorbed. After a period of silence, something came out of the meteor. It was a metal leg, followed by another heralding a blue, mechanical spider the size of a car. It was covered in blotches of green and its eyes glowed red. It pierced the air with a screech that prompted everyone to cover their ears. Out from the blob came two more abominations: a dog and Pteranodon, each made of blue metal with splotches of green. The three leapt out of the pit and attacked the scientists, tossing as much as they could into their birth place. Upon seeing his men being struck, Engel barked out, "Attack!" The soldiers then raised their laser guns (each with the Mandark Industries logo) and opened fire. The monsters screeched or roared in pain as the men singed holes in their bodies, allowing the scientists to escape.

"Keep firing!" The General cheered. When the scales seemed to fall in the soldiers favor, the creatures retreated back into the meteor. The men stopped as they claimed supposed victory. However, before anyone got the chance to celebrate, a giant version of the dog beast, approximately the size of a tank and with three heads burst out of the orb. It landed in front of a group of soldiers, immediately struck them down with its massive claws. Before they could recover, the dog's left and right heads grabbed a soldier by the leg and another by the arm. The men screamed as the sound of bones breaking mixed with their anguished cries. Apprehensive to get up, the fused creature's middle head belched some kind of acid, quickly dissolving the weapons. As two squads flanked the dog and prepared to open fire, the beast flung its captives at them, knocking the men like bowling pins. Before they could get up, a loud screeching noise rang out. From the pit erupted larger versions of the Pteranodon and spider, the later quickly incapacitating them with a glowing, green web. Meanwhile, the Pteranodon bombarded the men with acid, burning their armor, melting their guns and blinding them. As the carnage continued, Engel grit his teeth in frustration before taking out a cell phone. "We have a situation, code orange. We need the Eagle, repeat, we need the Eagle, over." In fifteen seconds, a black jet came screaming overhead diverting the creature's attention upwards. As it zoomed, a bright speck could be seen from its path. It grew bigger and bigger before it struck the abdomen of the spider creature with an earth-shattering quake and scattered dust and wind; prompting everyone to shield their faces. Atop the crushed menace was a young Hispanic man about eighteen years old. He had black, unruly hair, red and orange jacket over a blue-top white-bottom shirt, black pants and gloves and orange goggles. The most notable part of him were his boots; they were each the size of half a car and made of orange, black and grey metal. He smirked before stating, "Who's next?"

The dog roared before pouncing at the man, claws ready to rend. The cyborg thrust his right arm out before it abruptly grew into a fifteen-foot orange metal sword; piercing his attacker through the chest. The monster let one more roar before it dissolved into a puddle of parts and green slime. The Pteranodon, watching all of this from above dive bombed this new combatant at break-neck speed hoping to skewer this new combatant. He then swatted upwards to slice the creature, but it twisted to dodge the blade before pulling back up. The man's sword twisted back into his arm before he turned it into a large metal tentacle-like whip. From his back was a giant, glowing barrel-like generator that spun to life. He then struck upwards, his whip becoming exponentially longer and wrapping the monster. It then coursed with electricity, electrocuting the winged menace before it melted like the dog. The man's appendages reverted to that of a human persuasion before strolling to the group. The general nodded, "Rex."

"Engel."

"Where's Six?"

"Ah, he's coming." He turned his head to Dexter and smiled before uncovering his brown eyes. "Hey, Dex!" The two shook hands as Dexter returned the smile. "Nice to see you again, Rex."

"Wait!" Mandark broke the moment. "How do you know him?!"

"I have had Rex's brother as a consultant on a few projects, his insight in nanotechnology has helped make leaps in our medical division."

"That aside," President Andrews began, "Thank you, your help was invaluable in defeating the invaders."

"Yeah, what are those things anyway?" Before an answer could be made, a deep laughter mixed with gurgling rang out. Rex spun and formed his sword before shouting, "Who's there?" From the meteor's pit rose a damaged Dexbot, covered in green goo and tilting it's head. "How disappointing," the voice that came was not the Dexbot's but one more sinister. "I was expecting more resistance, if you continue like this, I'm sure you will all die by the month's end."

"Who are you?!" Engel ordered. "Ah, General Engel. I see you've come with President Andrews, his lapdog, the CEOs of two major tech companies and the late Providence's 'secret weapon'."

They all opened their eyes in shock. "How could you possibly know that?"

"You have Mr. Schmidt to thank, General. The wireless capability of these machines and the amount of data in your 'internet' are quite impressive."

"Impossible!" Dexter objected, "Hacking into my Dexbots would take an army!"

"What makes you think I'm not?" The voice calmly retorted. "Perhaps I should make this simple. You may address me as Lord Fuse. I am aware that you have been attempting to track my movements. That, I assure you, will prove pointless. I have amassed hundreds of years of knowledge and just as many worlds. And as you've seen by now, anything that is yours can easily be mine." Rex scowled. "What do you want?" The robot laughed. "It doesn't matter. You can't stop me so I recommend you say your goodbyes. After all, I've already won this battle."

"I scrapped your little pets."

"Look behind me." They did just that, seeing that the meteor had vanished, leaving a glowing crater in its place." Rex growled before transforming his arm into a mechanical fist, crushing the Dexbot in rage. After lifting his fist up, the Dexbot started laughing, steadily growing slower as the lights in its eyes faded. "What do we do now?" Rex asked. Dexter bent a knee and used a metal tube to suck some of the goo. "We get ready for the fight of our lives."

I know that canonically Dexter doesn't have a last name, but since Mandark does I thought one would be necessary. As for why I chose Schmidt, Mandark's name sounded Russian and thus a German name seemed to be a good antithesis. I should also mention that the president has the voice of Keith David and Fuse sounds like either Odin from the Samurai Jack episode Birth of Evil or Ron Perlman. Ron Perlman, as we all know, voiced Slade in Teen Titans.