Ben10 & Digimon Tamers
Heroes and Humanity
Part 02: Humanity and Heroes
Another Myself – Chapter 93 Part 1
Originally Written: Thursday, October 12, 2017 458PM to 706PM
Song: Yellow Generation - Another Myself
. . . . .
"Um...this is not home." Terriermon whined from on top of Jenrya's head.
Albedo looked around the city. People traveled around them without much care or notice to them. It left Albedo calmer than he should be, considering that even with it's subtle differences he recognized where they were.
"Nope. Not home." Rika folded her arms as a cool wind blew through the area.
Albedo zipped up his jacket.
"I'm pretty sure West Shinjuku doesn't have a Mr. Jyro." Jenrya squinted at the large mechanical burrito shaped structure. It slowly swung an arm, and lit up like a gaudy neon sign.
"Gyro." Ryo corrected. "Like, Gyro time." He fell into a small fit of giggles. "It's a pun on the word 'hero'." He chuckled again.
"Huh. So that's how you say it."
Albedo groaned. He couldn't see what was so amusing about a terrible pun.
"My thoughts exactly." Renamon murmured. "We are too open here, Rika."
"Yea. Let's get moving before someone decides we're here to cause trouble." Rika looked around.
The small group traveled, walking through the area, sticking to the sidewalk as cars and other large vehicles drove through the streets. Albedo eventually took the lead, as he showed that he recognized the area better than them. A few times he led them to a dead end accidentally, but no one seemed to mind. Renamon disappeared. Monodramon trudged next to them, more bored than tired.
"This is Bellwood right?" Ryo asked as they stopped at a food court. Various people ate around them, paying them little to no mind. Occasionally one person took a double look at Ryo, but they continued moving soon and quickly enough.
"It's very different from what I'm used to. Some streets don't lead to where I remember them leading to." Albedo commented, frustration leaking into his voice. The small group took a seat at one of the tables. "But yes, this is Bellwood."
"All we have to do then is find this world's You-Know-Who then, right?" Rika leaned her forearms on the table.
Albedo shivered. Jenrya placed a comforting hand on his thigh. He smiled at the male and pulled at his shirt sleeves.
"That's even if he-" Jenrya looked at a flashing billboard over one of the stores. Ben Tennyson with blue eyes and longer hair mostly covering an eye flashed a big smile on the billboard. "Nevermind." Jenrya ran a hand through his hair. He tapped Terriermon's head softly when his hand reached the small digimon.
The boy wore a blue shirt under a black vest, and way more jewelry than what Albedo thought a Ben Tennyson would be able to afford.
"The question now is, would he be willing to?" Albedo asked. The group ducked their heads, and focused on the table.
Terriermon rolled off of Jenrya's head, whining softly. Jenrya gingerly caught him. Then he looked down at the Digimon, an eyebrow raised.
"Whoops." Terriermon pouted.
Jenrya patted him softly. "What's wrong?" He ran a hand down the digimon's ear.
"Empty." Terriermon whined softly.
"Again?" Jenrya sighed, "I'm sorry." He hugged the digimon softly.
Albedo looked at him confused. "What do you mean?"
"There's no Digital World here." Monodramon spoke with a soft growl from his seat next to Ryo. "The other world was like that too. The lack of it's presence leaves a void of emptiness in us. There's nothing for us to connect to, except our tamers."
"It feels terrible." Terriermon continued whining. "I don't know how you and Renamon deal with it."
Albedo frowned. "Is that why Renamon hadn't digivolved in the other, you know?"
Rika nodded. "She could feel it, but she couldn't figure out how to suddenly." She propped her head up on her hand. "They're so much stronger than us when our Digimon can't digivolve. It's nuts."
Albedo folded his arms. This didn't bold well. "Does it weaken you guys?."
"Terriermon the worst." Jenrya squeezed his arms around him once more. "J takes a lot of energy to function properly. He's taking from me to compensate."
Albedo raised an eyebrow. Terriermon looked at Jenrya with worried beady eyes.
"No." Jenrya snapped, "That was all Ben being an ass."
Albedo nodded, "Then, it's settled." He looked at Ryo. Occasionally, Ryo would look at the flashing sign once more, and shake his head.
"What is?" Rika tapped her fingers on the table.
"We find this world's Ben." He cringed. He couldn't believe he willingly wanted to look for a Tennyson. "We don't have much choice but to do so." He swallowed thickly. His mind came up with dozens of ways to return home, but he only had access to this one. Finding Tennyson was the only way that was actually viable.
The group eventually stood, and headed back into the city. They followed Albedo around, as he and Ryo looked for anything that would show an indication of this world's version of a Plumber base.
Ryo shook his head, and looked at Albedo. "I don't think there are plumbers here."
"Not yet enough to be noticeable." Rika walked to them holding a newspaper. She had it opened to a page with an article speaking of this world's Tennyson's latest movie. "He's too young, right?" She pointed to the article, where it revealed that this world's Tennyson was only a thirteen year old.
Albedo's eyes widened. He clenched his fists. "Dammit." He spat, "He might not even be here. At least he's not ten I guess."
"What do you mean?" Jenrya asked looking at him with a frown.
"When Ben was ten he went on a cross country road trip with his grandfather and his cousin. That's how he found the," Ryo looked down at the article, "Hero. Watch." He tilted his head. "It becomes a bit of tradition until like age 13 or so."
Albedo blinked. "Hero watch?"
"That's what it says he calls it." Ryo pointed to the article.
Rika handed the article to Albedo.
"Doesn't he know what it is?" Albedo questioned. He took a few deep breaths and allowed himself to skim the article. "If he's starring in movies, he might not be here still. At least on his road trip he's in America." He shook his head.
"Why don't we ask J?" Jenrya whispered.
Albedo looked at him in surprise. "J can sense him via his omnitrix, can't it?" He felt annoyance at not thinking of such a thing earlier.
'Ben Tennyson not detected.'
He jerked in surprise. That was fast. 'Thank you.'
'Calculating...You are welcome.'
Jenrya looked at him wide eyed.
"That was cool. He even said 'you're welcome'!" Terriermon spoke softly, but cheerful.
He flushed scarlet and ducked his head. He. That sounded nice for Juggernaut.
'I'm going to get quite the headache when he finally deems it safe enough to synchronize.' Jenrya smiled.
Albedo smirked.
"If you guys are done with your mental stuff, mind filling us in?" Rika placed a hand on her hip. Jenrya quietly explained to her and Ryo.
Ryo nodded, quickly catching on. He looked around slowly, doing a visual sweep in the area, Albedo recognized was taught in plumber training. Albedo wasn't sure how much of it actually was training, and Ryo just figuring out how to survive all that time in the digital world.
"Ryo?" Albedo questioned.
Monodramon snarled. "Who dares to try to kill my tamer?"
He looked at them wide eyed. That was the same way he spoke before that Millennium apparition showed up. Dread filled his being.
"I'll end them for you." Monodramon looked up at Ryo. A look of total devotion Monodramon usually didn't display. He bared his teeth bared in a confident grin.
"Shit!" Ryo called out as Monodramon ran down the street. He followed in a sharp sprint. "Wait a minute!"
Jenrya and Albedo looked at each other. Rika quickly placed the paper back in it's stand. The trio and their digimon took off after them. Albedo watched Ryo stumble a few times as he ran. Ryo eventually stopped, and looked down at his hands.
Albedo stopped next to him. "Go on ahead, I'll stay here."
Jenrya easily passed him. It took Rika a bit, but she soon went on ahead.
"Are you alright?"
"It's a dull ache." He murmured. "Something's attacking me, but not. My fingers feel a bit numb." He wiggled his fingers. "And I think something hit my side, but not my side."
Albedo looked at Ryo's shaking hands. Albedo narrowed his eyes.
Ryo looked ahead, eyes focused. "Time to go."
"Ryo!" Albedo called as the Tamer pushed himself forward in a run once more.
He partially turned around and looked back at him. "I need to stop Monodromon. He's my responsibility. He'll attack anyone who tries to stop him but me, even as Monodromon, when he gets this way."
Albedo nodded slowly, and followed. Off pink mana coated his hands. It didn't take long for Juggernaut to alert him that it detected 'Ben Tennyson.' Albedo launched mana at who Ben 10K called "Bad Ben". Bad Ben, currently in his human form dodged, his hand falling back away from his Omnitrix. Albedo continued throwing mana at him. Juggernaut alerted him that his energy was dropping too quickly, but he continued. He would not have anyone attacking Ryo in any fashion. He wouldn't stand for it.
Bad Ben dodged with ease, but not well enough to transform into an alien.
Albedo rushed forward, throwing a few more mana blasts. He ignored Rika and Renamon fighting who Ben 10K called "Nega Ben". Nega Ben transformed into a dull looking Swampfire. They could handle him as long as he didn't start launching fire at Rika. Jenrya fired his guns at a "Mad Ben" Rath. Jenrya too would be fine.
He caught Bad Ben with a punch to the torso and then a roundhouse kick to the face. Bad Ben stumbled back, wiping blood from his lips. He grinned, raising his fists. He and Albedo launched into a series of physical attacks, punching and kicking and dodging. Albedo ignored the pain in his torso. Either Bad Ben felt the pain from his attacks and didn't care or truly didn't feel anything. He laughed a horrible, ecstatic cackle that sent chills down Albedo's spine.
It made Albedo rage. So he tackled the boy with a spear. His ribs screamed at him for the attack, but the adrenaline knocked the pain back down a few notches. The two crashed to the paved ground, a flurry of fists and feet. "No way you're touching that watch!" Albedo shouted.
"Isn't this nice?" Bad Ben grinned, looking at him with wide eyes as he fought back. "Letting all other thoughts go and just pounding the enemy into oblivion?"
Albedo looked at him in surprise. He froze in his position straddling Bad Ben's waist.
"No wonder Eon wants you."
Albedo swung his fist, but Bad Ben moved his head just in time. Albedo's fist met asphalt. Pain shot up his hand and arm, but he ignored it.
"He wanted me for the same reason. If you weren't such a pussy, you'd be perfect." He rolled Albedo over onto his back. "I would have killed me in that position." He planted his full weight on Albedo's torso. "Sucks when the adrenaline wears off, doesn't it?"
Albedo looked up at him, wide eyed. He banged his fists against the pavement and kicked out his feet, biting a scream behind clenched teeth.
"You are a terrible version of me!" An odd voice eeked out. A web quickly surrounded Bad Ben from behind. Bad Ben went flying off of Albedo. "All of you, horrible!"
Albedo breathed deep breaths, his mouth open wide. He shuddered with every breath.
"Horrible for the public's opinion of me."
He managed to look at the white haired Arachnichimp (Spidermonkey) standing behind Bad Ben. A web tied around Bad Ben's body, save for his head and face. Bad Ben lied on the ground, struggling and muttering obscene words Albedo was pretty sure a young tween shouldn't hear, but probably already knew.
"Albedo." Jenrya ran over to him.
Albedo looked at him, breathing sharp quick breaths. "Maybe...I... shouldn't...do...-" He closed his eyes tightly and coughed loudly.
"Shhh." Jenrya whispered. "What were you thinking?" He shook his head.
'Energy below 35 percent.'
"Juggernaut?" He whispered.
'Analyzing...'
He felt his vision dim. His mind went fuzzy, and he couldn't think coherently much anymore. He wanted to yell at Juggernaut. To ask what it was doing to him, but he found himself unable to.
'Appropriate response acquired. Goodnight.'
He barely had time to curse the program before he slumped on the pavement, unconscious.
When he woke, he was on a large bed under blue sheets. Jenrya curled up next to him, on top of the sheets. A wooden chair sat next to the bed. He assumed that seat was where Jenrya was supposed to be sitting.
"How are you feeling?" Jenrya asked.
"Sore." He murmured. "What did Juggernaut do?" He rolled over onto his side. He rubbed at his temples.
"He knocked you out. If I'm getting it right, he viewed you healing more important than you fighting, so when your energy dropped below 35% percent he did what he could to make you stop fighting."
Albedo scoffed.
"Juggernaut won't let us do anything that will result in our deaths. You remember, right?"
He sighed and slowly sat up. "Yes." He shook his head. "Where are we?"
"One of Ben 23's alternate condos."
He blinked a few moments, trying to comprehend what Jenrya just said. Jenrya grinned at him. "Ben 23? Alternate condo?" His eyes widened. "How many condos does a person need?"
"I think he said he has at least 10 across the globe. Not including the mansions, the cars, the yacht or two." Jenrya waved a hand, "You get the gist."
His jaw dropped. "Yacht or two?"
"Or three. He didn't feel the need to specify. I'm pretty sure he only answered these kinds of questions because we helped him out."
He groaned and fell back on the bed. "How rich is he?!"
"Pfffftt," Jenrya spread his arms out as he shrugged his shoulders. "Can you be too rich? He's no Elon Musk or Bill Gates at least."
He rubbed his temples once more and sighed loudly.
Jenrya laughed at him. "Shall I continue?"
"On another subject, please." He closed his eyes.
"You've only been out for a few hours. Ryo's been trying to explain a Chronosapien to Ben, but they're having a bit of a disconnect."
"Makes sense. Ryo wouldn't know what a Chronosapien looks like in this world." He sat up slowly, with Jenrya's help. "That's assuming that this Ben 23 has even unlocked the form in his Omnitrix."
"Ben 23 is going to call up a friend who knows a bit more about aliens than him, and we get to stay in his alternate condo while we wait. Hungry?" Jenrya continued cheerfully. A bit too cheerful for his tastes. He knelt on the bed next to him.
"What happened to the alternate Bens?"
"Got their butts kicked and ran away like a bootleg Team Rocket. They're relatively easy to handle without Eon backing them. It's like they'd rather be doing something else sometimes..." Jenrya shook his head. "Monodramon is not too happy they got away alive. Ben 23 introduced him and Ryo to the wreck room below the basement."
"A recreational room?" He raised an eyebrow. After seeing Monodramon extremely angry a few times, he wasn't sure that that was the best place to send him.
"No, a wreck room. Like a room specifically made for you to destroy the things in it." Jenrya smiled sheepishly at him.
"Of course a rich prepubescent child with the universe's most dangerous watch has access to such a thing." He gave Jenrya a deadpan stare.
"It's one of the ways he trained with the 'Hero Watch.'" Jenrya made air quotations with his fingers. "He didn't explain how that worked out though."
Albedo moved to stand. That made quite a bit more sense than traveling the Americas and leaving a trail of destruction in your wake. A point to the kid.
Jenrya led him to one of the building's many bathrooms to wash up and then what he called the dining hall. As he traversed the halls Albedo quickly realized that when Ben 23 said condo, he meant small mansion. He wondered if Jenrya humored the tween as a joke.
Rika sat patiently at the relatively long table in the dining hall. The mahogany table could easily sit ten to fifteen. She looked into a glass held tightly in her hands, her food forgotten. Renamon sat next to her, calmly eating. Albedo thought the digimon would fit in here easily if left behind. Terriermon sat on a table mat on the table, a decent spread of food surrounding him.
"Rika?" Jenrya questioned as he and Albedo sat down at the table.
"I'm fine." She snapped. She fell silent for a few moments, a frown on her face. She sighed and shook her head. "When Ryo said that even Monodramon kept his hands full, did you at all think this is what he meant?"
Jenrya shook his head. "No." He looked at the table.
"That blood lust exists in all Digimon." Renamon replied, "From Guilmon to MarineAngemon. Monodromon just seems to have a hard time controlling his when we're not on our designated worlds."
"You think that it's that simple?" Albedo propped his head up with his hand.
"No, it's not." Renamon glared at him.
"Just checking." He ignored Jenrya and Rika looking at him in confusion. It brought him great confusion. Did they just let the information sit in the back of their minds? Ryo didn't bring it up often, but didn't exactly hide his situation one hundred percent. Nothing concerning him did he hide. It was there, if only one looked, and thought about it.
He nodded to the waitress who brought him a nice spread of his own food to eat. He quietly dug into his meal, while Jenrya and Rika sat in silence. The more strength he had the better. He'd be killed if he fell unconscious in every fight with Eon and his, what did Kai call them? Victims. Yes, that sounded about right. It was best if he worked on building his strength up while they waited for Ben 23's ally.
. . . . .
A/N: I like to think Ben 23 tries his new forms outside away from anyone who could be hurt, and when he gets a grasp on their powers, he then determines if the wreck room would be a suitable choice for training use.