BEN 10: RISING OF THE SHIELD HERO
CHAPTER 28: THE CULPRIT
Thanks for your reviews. Also, for the one who wrote a review for Ch 4, yes, I'm hoping for such complaints. But I'm also gonna defend myself.
First of all, no, Ben's not going to flat out say no to that for various reasons BUT not because he's a pedophile or anything. To begin with, pedo means children between 11-13 (lol,) sorry for my twisted sense of humor. It's just that he thinks he doesn't need to say that because it's not really important for him. Duh, he never took things like romance or engagement seriously to begin with. He simply doesn't care.
It took about 20 chapters for him to finally say NO, straight up reject — because the Queen insists and unbeknownst to Ben, Melty begins to be attached to him while on the other hand, Aria becomes his first heroine. (As if I can write a harem, even one heroine has my hands full.)
Thanks for reading and writing reviews. After I finish the Spirit Tortoise Arc, I'll take a break from BROSH and start writing chapters for Ben 10: The One Who Defies Gods.
People often say that I am a person who tends to see the good in the bad. No, indeed, I am not all positive. Occasionally, even I can be all negative and murderous. But I cast away all those negative intentions because… I am powerful — so dangerous. I'd rather do nothing than follow my greed and commit a crime. Because I am powerful — thus I am dangerous. This is what I believe. So I don't hate being called a "clown hero." So long as I don't show my fangs, people will like me.
Recently, I am becoming scarier and scarier. I don't like working. But I am evolving into a workaholic freak. Protecting lives becomes a reason to work my ass off. But I become a freak in other people's eyes. I am driving my teammates around like a mad boss though I believe I am a free spirit who answers no one's order but myself.
Then… What am I supposed to do? I know I am overworking my friends but what am I supposed to do? Otherwise, people can die, and they can lose their lives — no, many have already lost their lives. I know so well that I can't just sit and see this happen anymore.
Skip this and skip that. I will show you how I do things my way!
"Being a hero is about doing the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do. It's about making a difference."
For some people, it was an unfortunate encounter — some people – L'Arc, Therese, and Glass. But for me, it's a series of fortunate events. Finding the path into the body of the Spirit Tortoise, revealing the identity of disguised vassal wielders from another world, and choosing the right path to the hourglass. Some events were either pure coincidence or pure luck.
Now then… we meet a dead end. Nah, it's not really a dead end. There is an exit in front of us. It's really suspicious so my team doesn't want to proceed.
"I wonder where it leads to—" L'Arc mumbles as he takes steps forward, closing the distance between him and the "suspicious exit." I grab his shoulder and stop him.
"It's not the right path," I say. L'Arc looks confused. Not just him, the rest of the team is also confused.
"But there is only one exit," Aria says.
"Exactly. It is an EXIT. It's not like it's a door to the heart chamber of the tortoise, haha," I laugh at my own joke. "Anyway…"
Guess what? With something on my mind, I transform into Deejay Emcee again and touch the wall nearby. The result is like an illusion for my team and the otherworldly trio.
The illusionary spell cast on the wall disappears and reveals the entrance of another tunnel.
"Wow... Er, amazing," L'Arc says astounded.
"Let's move before the tortoise is healed," I lead them into the tunnel.
This tunnel feels different. The floor is kinda a ramp that descends gradually into the body of the colossal tortoise. I transform into Eye Guy and unleash faint light from my eyes all over my body to search for hints to find the heart.
"Your eyes are scary. You are freaking me out," Rex mumbles. I can see him through the eyes on my back.
At the time, my enormous eyes scan all over the place and come to a conclusion. The ceiling is still made of rock but the floor under my feet is soft... Like the flesh of a creature. And I can feel it pulsing with a heartbeat though it's not enough for my giant ears to pick up the actual pulse.
"We made it into the tortoise's body!" I declare to them.
"Seems like it," L'Arc grips his weapon tightly. "But..."
There is something ahead of us on the path. It is a white monster in the shape of an egg. As it notices my presence, the monster shoots toward me. The eyes on my front also pick up its movement and concentrate energy in their pupils, then release freeze rays at the monster.
"Take this! Eye's power!"
"I guess the tortoise's defense system is deploying its servants to protect itself," Rex remarks.
If Rex's right, it'll become a pain as we descend ever further and nearer to the heart of the tortoise."
Aria looks at Ost Horai. "What should we do? You are a servant of the Tortoise, right?"
"I'm afraid I don't remember…" Ost anxiously replies.
"Yeah," I intervened. "She has amnesia. But don't worry. I know the way."
I turn away from them to proceed with our exploration but… L'Arc suddenly grabs my shoulder.
"Lad, we didn't ask anything because we thought we could trust you. At least, please tell us how you know it."
He thinks I am suspicious but I know he doesn't have proof. This much of an accusation can be shrugged off but at the risk of breaking their trust. I can't tell them how I get my hands on this information — for the safety of everyone.
Aria cautiously raises her rifle but I gesture at her to lower the weapon.
"You will know when the time comes, L'Arc," I coldly respond to his suspicions. "For now, please trust me."
He releases me, letting out a sigh. "May I know the reason why you are keeping it a secret?"
I shoot a glance at my teammates who are also curiously looking at us. "To make sure everyone is safe."
"If it's that important, then leave him be…" L'Arc tells his friends. "Let's trust him to the end."
I give them a nod and continue to explore the tunnel. "This way. It is headed to the "core" of the tortoise."
"Core?" Rex says. "Oh, it must be like a control room."
"Yeah…" I'm glad no one asks me how I know it anymore.
We continued to walk down the tunnel for a few minutes… and finally reached a large room. In the center of the room is a large, red, heart-like object, which I suppose is the heart of the tortoise. It stands more than six meters tall and is divided into two colors. Each side has an eyeball.
"What's that?" Rex looks up at the large object that is suspended mid-air, held by veins.
"It's… jackpot!" I exclaim at the sight of the colossal heart.
"This is…" Glass gasps, astound. "The heart of the Spirit Tortoise."
"Joining forces with Shield Hero was right," Therese mutters.
As we speak, the eyes on the heart look at us.
"Stay back!" I shout at the people behind me and step forward, transforming my shield into a Chromastone shield. As the eyes fire heat beams at us, I create an energy field via the shield's skills and absorb all the heat beams. When the eyes finally stop attacking, I unleash a powerful condensed energy ray from the shield, directed at the eyes of the heart.
The eyes open even wider and start to shake. Suddenly, the room has been flooded with familiars coming out of nowhere. I guess the heart is capable of summoning the servants of the tortoise.
"Don't you think you are cleaning this mess alone, kiddo!" L'Arc says, jumping over me.
"Yeah… count us in!" Therese steps forward and begins to chant her spells.
Glass also takes the place next to me and waves her fans to hold back the monsters, although her power is clearly weakened.
"Guys! Charge! Ost, back up!"
Ost starts casting her skills to make the monsters weaker.
"Okay!" "Roger!" "Yes, Master!"
Filo and Rex also jump over me and charge at the servants of the spirit tortoise. I change my shield into Diamondhead Shield and summon a crystal wall to defend the ranged attackers on my team. Aria stuffs her pistols back in the sheaths and brings out her rifle.
"This one is explosive," she alerts them to move out of the way. Rex, L'Arc, and Filo move away from their spot, and… a powerfully glowing bullet is shot at the place flooded by the monsters. Then an explosion occurs, eliminating a good number of familiars. But this isn't the end.
The heart freaks out. The whole chamber shook violently as the impact of the explosion destroyed one of its eyes.
Suddenly, a huge mandala-like magic pattern appears on the floor around the heart.
"Guys! Stay back!"
Rex and the others duck back and quickly get behind my crystal shield wall.
"Ready your magic and rifles."
When I say that, Rex transforms his left arm into a large cannon, of which the back end is connected to the ground. I don't know about this build—
"Slam cannon! How do you like this?"
But before I can pay attention to him— the heart forms a black ball of magic and shoots it straight at us. Thanks to the crystal wall, it can't reach us… but I am somehow affected by that black energy ball.
The black ball slams into my shield, and the light around me bends and warps. I drop to the floor as my body becomes heavier to stand for me… This must be gravity-type magic!
"Master!" "Sir Ben!"
"Damn… it! GRAVATTACK!" I mentally control the Omnitrix to transform me into a Galilean.
Then my large body begins floating above the floor. I unleash a powerful forcefield, canceling out the effects of the gravitational magic. I hold out my hands, creating gravitational forces from different directions, squeezing the heart of the tortoise brutally.
"Ah… Ben?" Rex's voice snaps me out of my anger. "The eyes…"
When I look back at the heart, clumpy white monsters are crawling out of the sockets of its eyes. Rishia again vomits behind me. But I can't pay a mind to her.
Thankfully because of the crystal wall, they can't reach us, but the whole room is flooded by those clump white monsters.
Ost unleashes her magic to hold off the monsters. I also hold out my hands to stop them via gravitational force.
"Rex! Filo! Guys!"
"Roger!" "Yes, Master!"
Rex retracts his slam cannon and transforms his legs into punk busters, jumping over the wall, followed by Filo in her Filolial form, flying behind him.
Aria spins her rifle and aims at the monsters near the spot the duo landed and makes way for them. Rex transforms his arm into the big fat sword and slashes the monsters along the way as he charges toward the heart.
"W-wow…" L'Arc is astounded by our teamwork. "We can't just stay like that, right?"
Glass and Therese give him a nod and start casting their magic to kill the swarm of monsters.
To kill the Spirit Tortoise completely… we have to destroy both its head and heart.
And for that, I've prepared...
"This is our spotlight!"
"What are you screaming! Sir Ben!" (Aria)
"Nothing." (me)
It's about time Spirit Tortoise should have reawakened. The floor begins to shake as the tortoise seems to have fully healed. But... it trembles due to the attack of a giant alien.
"Echo Unit One here! The tortoise's head is healed."
The voice escapes the Omnitrix on my head, grasping the attention of my teammates.
I smile creepily at them before answering the com. "Echo Prime received! We are also ready."
Good thing I predicted it and made a move before the tortoise healed its head. Before anyone else noticed, I created a clone of myself via Echo Echo's self-duplication and had the clone wait outside to attack the regenerated head and the heart inside its body at the same time.
"What is the meaning of this!?" Glass questions my actions, pointing her black fan at me.
"To kill the tortoise, we have to destroy its head and heart at the same time. That way is most efficient," I answer, composed.
"Who will destroy the head then?" Therese asks, panicked.
"I will," I hold up my hand, surprising them.
"Pardon?" (Therese)
"I have sent a clone for the job, so don't worry, Miss."
Now they come to a realization. They glare at me for my sick jokes.
"So that it is," Aria giggles for some reason.
The clones notify me through the Omnitrix's communication tool
"Echo Unit One ready!" "Echo Unit Two ready!" "Echo Unit Three ready!"
I look back at Rex and Filo who have made their way near the heart of the tortoise. Multiple eyes appear on the surface of the heart, preparing to attack them.
"Everyone! Attack the heart!" Then I press the Omnitrix to assume the form of another alien. "Echo Prime ready! NRG!"
I now become an energy life form contained in a humanoid oven armor. Through the three slits on the helmet, I unleash powerful radiation rays, obliterating the eyes of the heart. Before they can revive, Rex slashes his big fat sword at the heart again and again.
"Wind blade!" (Filo)
Aria shifts her rifle to auto mode and fires continuously at the heart. The heart's regenerative power is somewhat impressive.
At this time I can't shoot my rays because my allies are near the target.
"We've got no choice, huh..." L'Arc charges with his scythe and then slashes at the heart. The swings of L'Arc's and Rex's blades cut the heart into an upper and a lower half.
"Move!"
Now the weak spots are spotted!
As I alert them, all my allies move away from the heart. I unleash a powerful radiation ray to finish the job. But...
The heart summons a force field to defend itself from attacks. Thankfully, my heat beam overpowers the force field, nullifying it, and comes into contact with the heart's upper and lower halves, disintegrating them in a short time.
Thump . . . Thump . . . Th . . . ump . . . th . . .
The heart beats slower and slower. Then it stopped altogether.
"Yes!"
The whole room erupts in cheers.
"Ha... Now... We did it," Rex pants heavily as he sits and leans against the crystal wall. Filo also restores her human form and drops herself next to Rex. L'Arc and his team are also panting.
Ost Horai wears a delighted smile. A sigh of relief escapes Rishia although she, unfortunately, didn't get to help — rather, I was overprotective of her.
Aria is looking at me, guessing what I am thinking as usual, with a nonchalant face. She looks neither happy nor sad. Unfortunately, yes, we can't just let our guard down.
The best and safest we can do at present, though not having found the puppeteer behind the tortoise, is to seal the heart with a spell. By doing so, it will guarantee to prevent the revival of the Spirit Tortoise.
"Let's seal it—"
Ost Horai drops to the ground in pain. Not because the spirit tortoise is killed completely. Headaches overwhelm her head because her memories are returning.
My teammates don't know what to do when I turn around, changing my decision to seal the tortoise. I am aware of that for a while — that Ost Horai will disappear if the tortoise is killed completely. But…
With a flash of green light, I become Deejay Emcee again and rush toward her. Placing my hand on her head, I quickly read her mind and seal her memories again.
It has been long since I first saw her memories. I didn't know what to do when I saw her scary memories. I was determined to protect everyone including her.
If her memories are returning as she becomes closer to the Spirit Tortoise's core... I must be the one to seal her memories again to protect her. This was my final decision.
This time... The answer I found is that—
"Guys, it's not done yet..."
"Huh?" Rex looks worn out. After all the effort he exerted in this battle, it's certainly frustrating to hear it.
"We destroyed the heart and the head to stop its movements entirely. But... this isn't the core."
"What... Do... You mean?" Glass asks.
"The one who is controlling the spirit tortoise is in the core chamber. And the energy from the souls is also stored there," I explain what I have learned from Ost Horai's memories. "So long as the souls are still there, it's possible for the tortoise to revive. Even if it doesn't revive, the one who is controlling the tortoise can use the power of the souls to gain power for himself."
L'Arc clenches his fist and angrily hits the crystal wall. "Then we will have to find him, right? Why didn't you tell us sooner!?"
"Because I didn't know."
"It's absurd," he says. "It's impossible you didn't know beforehand."
"There is a reason for that, L'Arc," I coldly replied. "You can trust me or not, do what you like."
While L'Arc and his teammates are confused, doubtful, and conflicted, I kneel on the floor and place my hand on it, trying to feel the flow of energy around us.
Reading the minds and feelings of other people grants me a new ability — emo-location. Well, I decided to call it emo-location. It sure has a range, though I haven't tested how far I can do it yet, I suppose I can sense someone 20 meters from me in this form.
(A/N: Since Deejay Emcee has been re-unlocked, I've been focusing on it for a while for its versatility. So if I disappointed you, sorry about that.)
"Bingo…" I grin when I find a condensed energy source just beneath the heart.
"Ahem…" at the time, Partner's holographic figure appears. "I didn't restrict it because I also thought it's essential but… please don't use the pugnavore DNA more often than necessary, okay?"
"Ah, you don't need to tell me about that? Anyway, what do you think of my new findings?"
I quickly change the topic before he continues to scold me.
"Hmm, according to analysis, there exists a chamber just underneath us."
"Dismiss, Partner. Thanks."
"You're gonna dismiss me just like that, huh…" he mumbles before disappearing.
When I stand up, I notice that the trio and my party including Ost are staring at me with longing looks.
"Ah, yeah, I found a chamber just beneath the one we are in. It must be the core room," I confidently claimed.
Ha, I've been saying "oh, this is the final answer," for a while and still can't reach the end of the quest yet. Silly me. I've been misleading them for a while as I am overwhelmed by my own seriousness. Yes, silly me.
"So? What are you gonna do?" (Glass)
Just don't ask what I am going to do! Crap, why does everyone like to ask me every time what the next step is!?
"What? We will dig a hole through the flesh to jump down into the chamber."
I gaze at Ost Horai who blankly stares at me, confused at why I look at her. I am just hoping for a word of confirmation.
"What do you think, Horai?"
"Pardon?"
Uh, tsk, I forgot that I sealed her memories so she wouldn't possibly know what is the correct path and what is the right decision.
"Forget that I ask. Then, everyone, I will punch a hole in the floor. And then we will jump down right after it is ready. We don't have time," I stare at where I sensed a big power source. "It can become a disaster otherwise."
"You are leading us all," Rex warns me. "But remember that we are also following you. You can use us when you need."
"Don't wanna…" I roll my eyes, sarcastically responding to his genuinely sincere words. "You guys are too weak."
"Weak, your ass…" he curses.
I turn around and look back at the spot. Then I press the Omnitrix.
"Echo Prime to all Echo Units, report the conditions."
"Roger, the tortoise is calm and quiet," a voice that sounds e Way Big Way Big responds.
"Doesn't it snore?" I joke.
"It doesn't even have a head, man," the head, to begin with," a British voice who I suppose is Sir Dragknight answers.
Sir Dragknight lacks the necessary organs to speak so I programmed a universal translator compatible with the alien in the Omnitrix.
"Anyway, I'm going into the core chamber so keep a check on the people outside, okay?"
I shoot a glance at the slowly healing heart of the tortoise.
"Roger!"
After the flash of green light dies down, I transform into Armodrillo and shift my hands into drills. The pistons on my elbows begin to move as the drills start spinning. I press my drills on the floor and start digging a hole in the tortoise's flesh.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
"Hey, look." (Rex)
"The heart is…" (L'Arc)
"It's already regenerated." (Glass)
"It's creepy how Sir Ben's words are true," Aria says, disappointed. All of their efforts have been wasted—
No, not yet. I will… make up for the energy they gave to defeat this colossal monster!
Somehow… the regeneration of the flesh floor is almost keeping up with the pace of my drills. Damn it…
Finally a hole is made through the floor into the other chamber just below us. I quickly transform into Diamondhead and encase the flash with crystals to stop the regeneration of the floor.
"All is set up! Guys!"
L'Arc gives me a nod and jumps down through the hole, followed by Rex who is worried about 'Arc. Then Filo, Therese, and Glass jump down. For the rest,… hmm,
Miss Horai and Aria are convincing Rishia to jump together with them.
"Alright, everything's okay! I will catch you."
Rex says, extending his Smack Hands, prepared to catch Rishia who is shivering.
Without a second thought, Aria jumps off with a nonchalant expression. Horai is waiting for Rishia to get down first.
"Ah, Rex, move it. I will carry her," I lower my crystal body before her, shifting the spikes on my back into a convenient seat. "Rishia, get on my back."
"Er, is that really okay?"
"Yeah, it's okay. Miss Horai, if you want to jump, go ahead."
Horai gives me a nod. "Thanks, shield hero." Then she drops to the floor below us.
I look down at the hole… "Hold me tight. Here we go!"
I drop into the hole as she holds tightly onto the spikes on my shoulder.
And so we made it into the core chamber. I suppose.
There is a large green crystal chunk at the other end of the room. The crystal is hovering mid-air above a small altar. It is glowing brightly… as if it is the installed LED light of the chamber.
"That thing must be the core!" Rex says.
"How strange…" as a crystalline lifeform, I can sense the molecular structure of the crystal.
Now I think about it — when you slay a monster, you gain remains/ drops. Some drops contain mana because they are organs that store the mana of the monster.
That must be why this crystal chunk contains immense energy that I think is life energy extracted from souls.
"Lad… I think you'd like to see this…" L'Arc calls me.
He is examining three large transparent crystals set in the wall of the chamber… And there are three PEOPLE locked inside of them! Wait… What the hell! Those three people are no other than the three missing heroes — Itsuki, Ren, and Motoyasu!
"Sh . . ."
"Ugggg . . ."
"Uhhhh . . ."
They seem to be unconscious, but they all have pained expressions on their faces and are muttering in agony.
Rishia screams as soon as she notices her leader. "Sir Itsuki!"
The rest of us are also shocked. Oh damn— wait, I am Diamondhead, now. If the walls are truly crystal structures, I can probably get them out of hell. Seriously, if one of them dies, it will be more difficult to defend the people from the waves of catastrophe!
Rishia runs up to the crystal that contains Itsuki— however, suddenly, a sheet of paper flutters down… knocking her away like electric-shocking.
"I can't believe my eyes. No, I am seriously shocked. I was hoping you wouldn't show up… Welcome to the deepest depths of the Spirit Tortoise, I guess!"
It was when he appeared.
A man walked out from behind the altar… He has white hair. It is long and shaggy and hangs around his pale face. And overall, his expression looks like that of a stereotypical mad villain… And even his voice sounds like a mad experimentalist.
He wears a long coat, leather gloves, and shoes — and a strange belt around his chest that almost looked like it is made of test tubes.
But sadly, his aura contradicts his actions— at first look, he is unbelievably weak. I think, just casually punching him with my crystal fist can knock him out. Let's hear what he's gonna say.
L'Arc quickly picks up Rishia and jumps back to us cautiously.
"Don't be strangers… heroes… Hahaha…" even his laughter sounds evil.
"Hey, Ben," Aria whispers. "I don't like this guy, should I shoot him down?"
"Don't just attack randomly, you moron," I bark back quietly.
"Take this seriously, will you…" he looks annoyed by my unfazed actions, before shifting his face back to an evil look. "When you first blew this thing's head off, I have to say I was a little nervous. But then you just went on your way without even looking for this place! I had to laugh at that. You heroes are so stupid."
Well, if I want, I can blow off the whole tortoise. Or… maybe I can age its entire body to dust— AAAHH, this isn't the point!
"Sir Itsuki…" Rishia weakly moans.
"Oh, you know those guys? I was a little freaked out when the four heroes tried to get in here—but they were so weak it was funny! Ha! Are all the heroes from your world this dumb? —" he continues, only to be interrupted.
"Whatever…" I look down at the man who I suppose is the culprit of the whole tortoise incident. "Can you keep your villain speech short… I don't want to waste time listening to you saying "I'll defeat you," blah blah… Just state your intentions! Short! And clear!"
My tone suddenly sounds like a soldier…
"Yes! Sir!" He plays along. Because of my overwhelming appearance (Diamondhead), he must have been anxious to not piss himself. "What! Did you seriously think I would listen to you, stupid hero!? —" and so on.
Here we go again.
Hmm… The weapons of the captured heroes in the crystal coffins glow… as if some energy is radiating.
I somehow figure it out.
"Wait, you! You are stealing their power!"
"Bingo! You might be an idiot, but you must be the smartest of the bunch! Ahaha!"
Well, technically, I have crystals for a brain so…
He continues to laugh in a vulgar way. Ah, how annoying… I want to punch the crap out of him and put an end to all this shit.
"You should have seen the way I caught them. The Sword Hero kept right on attacking me after all of his party was dead! He was like a boar! And the Spear Hero took off running the minute his support started to fail. I just had to chase him down and scoop him up! And the Bow Hero—he had a falling out with his friends. They tied him up and left him alone! Ahahaha!"
"What is your purpose?" Rex asks with a glare. At the time, I silently listen to them.
"Hm? Oh, it has nothing to do with you people—not to you residents of this dying world."
"Dead… you say?" I clench my solid fists.
"Huh?"
All those souls the tortoise gathered… and all those people he killed, he had to pay for it!
"Though I have to say I'm impressed. You were doing such a great job of slowing my progress, and then you brought out that crazy monster. A giant…"
He must have meant Way Big. Way Big isn't that big compared to the tortoise. By if I wish, Way Big can also easily throw the tortoise into the space.
And… perhaps he still doesn't know about my cloning abilities.
"That damn thing is in my way! I can't get any more energy! It's starting to get on my nerves!" the man says, flipping open his book and glaring at me. "But I'll have a better chance with all four of the heroes behind me. I was wondering where I was going to find you. Luckily, you showed up when you did! Ahahaha!"
You are getting on my nerves, too. Just quickly end your villain speech so that I can throw you into Null Void.
"I said KEEP IT SHORT!" Crystal spikes appear around him, freaking the heck out of him.
He screams in horror, before breathing heavily to calm down. "Damn it… You are seriously annoying…" He flips through his book and a number of pages come loose and fly through the room—straight at me! "Die!"
Oh, no, the weirdest weapon I've ever seen after the Omnitrix!
With a snap of my fingers, a semi-transparent crystal wall is summoned, extending to the ceilings and the walls.
What the hell! The moment the sheets of paper touch my wall, cracks appear on the surface.
"He's powerful…" Rex says.
"No, his weapon is," I correct him and transform my arms into blades. "They are just paper, but be careful," I warn them and open a door-size hole in the wall, dashing to the outside.
"There he goes doing things alone again," Rex remarks, apparently disappointed.
"Count us in, lad!" L'Arc and his gang follow me to the outside just before the crystal wall is closed again.
And so this is how we found the culprit.
END OF CHAPTER (28)
Today's chapter is short for various reasons.
Thanks for reading and writing reviews on my chapters. Until we meet again… I guess.
Christopher Paradox Chronos.