10:45am
Benjamin Kirby Tennyson, also known for being the wielder of what many consider to be the most powerful weapon in the universe, the Omnitrix. A device similar to a digital wristwatch, in a square shape and with a white, black and green color scheme. On the black bezel of that clock was the outline of a green hourglass, the symbol of intergalactic peace. After his victory in the fight against Maltruant, his world's greatest hero finds himself resting and enjoying a big glass of pineapple Mr.Smoothy.
Rook Blonko, his mission partner and one of his best friends, went to his home planet to visit his family; Gwen and Kevin were living their lives as a couple elsewhere, which didn't mean they couldn't help Ben when he needed it.
In the end, Ben was once again bored, Undertown was quiet, and so was Bellwood; his old enemies like Dr. Animal, the Forever Knights, Zombozo were no longer a nuisance. Even the bad guys off Earth quieted down.
Azmuth, the Galvanian responsible for creating the Omnitrix, learned of Ben's recent adventure, as well as his feat of absorbing the energy of a Big Bang using his favorite transformation: the Conductoid Feedback.
And because this, Azmuth recognize Ben as ready to use all the power of Omnitrix, decided to give Ben the full access, or Master Control as he calls it.
"It was nice tha Azmuth decided gave to me the Master Control, but I wish I could to use it. Having someone trying to kill me or take over the universe is more fun than literally doing nothing." Ben was definitely bored, and he really wanted to have something cool to do.
- I just wish I had something heroing do. Ben ended up blurting this out loud without meaning to, but a very familiar voice came from behind his chair where he was sitting. The voice came from a man who was wearing a white coat with shoulder pads and brown bags, a button-up vest, knee pads and boots of the same color. He also wore a metal gauntlet with gold accents.
- I don't suppose there's anything interesting here, is there, Ben? Asked the man, which made the boy and hurriedly get up from the chair. As soon as Ben saw who the supposed owner of that voice was, paying attention to the man who was there, his expression of fright was gone.
- Paradox? What do you do here? Ben asked.
- I came not only to see how my friend is doing, but also… the professor and wanderer paused before continuing.
- propose something interesting to you. Now Ben was curious and a little apprehensive. Is it another new threat that compromises the universe, or the multiverse again? A mess with the timelines?
- What's going on now? It's more of a problem with… Ben didn't finish his question, as the professor cut him off.
- Not this time Ben. Paradox answered as he approached the table where Ben was, walking calmly.
- The truth is that, I've been walking in places beyond what I used to go and, I ended up entering a somewhat… different world. Said the professor, while Ben listened attentively.
- But I don't like to spoil surprises, and I'd like you to accompany me there and find out for yourself. Paradox said.
"Where have you been walking, Paradox? " Ben wondered in his mind.
- Serious? Like, not even a hint, or something I can guess? Ben asked, a little suspiciously.
- Well, do you like horror stories, Ben? Paradox threw his question at Ben, making him think of one thing that could mean something he'd been looking for a week: adventure.
- As much as my visits to Anur Transyl were a little traumatizing, yes. And if this world is as or cooler than that system, yes, I'm up for it. Ben said, already looking forward to what was to come. Paradox wouldn't take him to a world where no one didn't need the help of a shapeshifter boy, would it? Ben didn't bother to finish his Mr.Smoothy, he put on his white and green sweatshirt, and decided to accompany Paradox to this new world.
- And don't worry about notifying someone about your absence, I'll do it myself when I get back. Said Paradox, before using his gauntlet to create a blue-white portal. Both entered the portal to reach that dimension where Paradox went before telling Ben.
...
Somewhere in Eastern Europe. 8:30am In a dark forest, a blue-white portal appears out of nowhere, and a man and a boy, Professor Paradox and Ben Tennyson, come out of it. The portal disappeared as soon as it appeared.
- So? Is here? Ben asked curiously.
- In fact. I walked through a village near here, and I saw terrible things that I'm sure you are more than qualified to deal with every one of them. Paradox answered Ben's question, seriousness in his voice.
- What kind of terrible things are we talking about? Ben asked, remembering when Paradox had asked Ben about his liking for horror stories and thinking how that could have anything to do with whatever was going on in this village.
- Things like monsters and beasts that kill and devour people. Paradox replied, making Ben's eyes widen in surprise.
- Hell, it's worse than I thought. Ben said, recognizing the danger that loomed over there. Something like zombies flashed through Ben's mind. Whatever monsters were there, they had to be stopped or even killed at any cost.
- So, my mission is to take care of these monsters and save the people who are still fine, right? Asked Ben, already determined to do what he had been doing since he found the Omnitrix prototype in a forest on his world, on summer vacation when he was only ten years old.
- You'll know what needs to be done, Ben. Fight who you must fight and help who you must help. Paradox said, wanting Ben to find out what was going on in that place by himself, and giving the boy an approving smile.
- Ok, but… Ben would finish his question, if it weren't for the man the shapeshifter boy was talking to, having disappeared as he usually does and it was something Ben was already used to seeing that from the time traveler.
"Why am I not surprised? " Ben wondered in his mind, sarcastically.
...
Ben walked for a while, before arriving at what must have been the village.
He also maintained his look, wearing a white sweatshirt with green stripes, as well as a green number 10 emblazoned on the left side. He wore a black shirt underneath with a green detail on the sleeves and collar, and a white 10 was stamped in the middle of it. And to complete, brown pants and green Converse All Star shoes. To say that green and 10 were this boy's favorite color and number would be an understatement. The Omnitrix was hidden under the left sleeve of his sweatshirt.
….
Ben had entered one of the alleys there, with wooden fences on both sides. He has already begun to notice the appearance of the first house he saw, made of bricks and with plaster missing in some parts of the walls, a wooden roof that already showed signs of resistance to the weather, a wagon, barrels and a small covered space where it should be kept the firewood that the inhabitant of the house used to light the fireplace or the stove.
The gate of this house was open enough that Ben could see a small part of the backyard, where there was a chicken coop. After getting his first impressions, Ben continued to walk down the narrow street he was in, to see if he could find someone he could talk to.
….
The day was sunny, with birds flying and singing.
Finally Ben started to see the villagers, who looked like they were going to work or something. They were people dressed in clothes that Ben had dismissed as outdated in his mind. He saw men in strappy jeans, linen blouses, leather trench coats, long-sleeved dress shirts, and sweaters. The women wore vintage peasant-style dresses, some had headscarves and aprons. Leather boots, heels, sandals were footwear that Ben had noticed too.
The colors of the villagers' clothes weren't flashy, they were more neutral, not at all like what Ben was wearing.
As Ben expected, he was getting looks of surprise, astonishment and curiosity as he passed a few people. The boy saw men carrying bundles of firewood and axes or chainsaws, indicating their trade. Gardening tools like shovels, hoes and forks were also seen. The women carried baskets made of straw with a handle and with things inside, perhaps vegetables, fruits and monthly supplies. Ben thought that there were also farmers around, also hunters, housewives, lumberjacks etc…
"Where did you send me, Paradox? " Ben wondered in his mind, as he watched everything around him and realized how the appearance of the village and the people there refers to something… medieval.
Ben walked enough until he reached a point in the village where there was a statue of a woman wielding a sword and shield, as if she was facing something. That's in addition to a big castle.
After having a first impression of the village when walking through the narrow streets under curious and surprised looks, Ben decided that it was time to look for information, about what or who it was.
Ben saw some signs that indicated paths that led to certain places, such as "Castle Dimitrescu"; "Mill"; "Stronghold", which appeared to be a small church that didn't seem to accommodate a large number of people, and of course, Ben kept getting curious and not very discreet looks.
Until the boy hears a voice coming from behind him, making him turn around to see who it was.
It was an elderly, hunchbacked lady who wore a dark cloak with a robe and had a staff adorned with feathers, shards of crystal, and human skulls tied to the object. The old woman had the color of her eyes a little different from normal, making her appear to be blind.
- Are you lost, boy? The old woman asked. Ben would be glad he found someone who could fill him in on something if it weren't for the skulls strung on the old woman's staff. It was at the very least… sinister.
- I… actually I am. Could you tell me where I am? Ben asked his question, to which the elderly woman chuckled in a mischievous tone.
- A long way from home, I assure you. The elderly woman answered, leaving questions unanswered in Ben's mind. That hadn't answered Ben's question very well, and it hadn't sounded very inviting, making him uncomfortable.
- Well, we both agree on that. Ben said, trying to soften the strange tone of that conversation.
- What's your name, boy? asked the old woman. Ben was a little apprehensive about answering, but decided to do it anyway.
- Benjamin Tennyson, but you can call me Ben. The boy replied, smiling friendly and making a wave with his left hand and then lowering it, making the sleeve of his sweatshirt roll up a little so that a strange watch caught the elderly woman's attention. A square clock, with a white, black and green color scheme. Where it should have indicated the time, there was a black panel with an outline of a glowing green hourglass. This could definitely get the attention of someone looking at the watch for a while.
- What a beautiful watch. Said the elderly woman in a light tone of admiration as she got a little closer to Ben.
- It should have been very expensive, right? The old woman asked.
- You can't imagine. Ben replied, while still smiling slightly and kind of agreeing with the old woman's observation about the clock, after all, Vilgax already tried to rip Ben's arm off when he was still using that prototype.
- I must welcome you, lad. This place doesn't usually receive many visitors, and those that do, usually don't leave. The old woman said, in a somewhat suspicious tone. She was already weird just looking at her, and saying things like that in that tone didn't help much either.
- Then this place must be great, I would say. Ben said, running away from the old woman's attempts to scare the boy, with a tone of humor. He was good at it. However, the elderly woman was analyzing the boy while talking to him and observing his features, his green eyes, brown hair and a jovial face.
"This kid couldn't have ended up here out of nowhere. Something or someone could have brought him here. And I suspect he's from another country." The old woman said to herself in her thoughts, analyzing the boy.
-Where are you from, boy? The old woman asked. Ben thought about the hypothesis that Bellwood does not exist in this world, and therefore decided to give a more vague answer about its origin. This was on top of the fact that no one there seemed to be American, making Ben think he wasn't in the USA.
-I am American. Ben answered.
- You really are a long way from home, boy. I suggest you find someone who offers you a place to stay until you can go home, your family may be worried. Said the old woman, making Ben think of two things:
One - He might have to hang around a little longer than he wanted to.
Two - Who would harbor a stranger coming from who knows where into their home?
-You are right, although no one here is familiar with outsiders. Ben said, with a distant look on his face as he saw the houses and people watching him talk to the elderly woman, and the curious on duty pretended not to notice the boy, even he did. - Don't be discouraged, boy. Just ask. Said the elderly woman as she walked away from the boy and headed towards the small church. Ben was still apprehensive about the hospitality of the people there, but he still had to risk it.
...
The elderly woman was already inside the small church, where there were benches, lit candles, incense, rugs on the floor that extended from the main door to where the candles were. There were also what appeared to be portraits of five people, so that the third stood out most from the others, showing a woman in a strange golden mask, this portrait being the only one in color. The others were in black and white, and showed a hunchbacked and misshapen creature, a woman who appeared to be an upper-class lady, another woman in a black burqa carrying a doll, and a guy in a hat.
"Hm. Benjamin Tennyson, right? We'll get
to know each other better soon." The elderly woman thought, as she looked at the portraits of those people with a mischievous smile on her face.
….
"Ok, where should I start? " Ben wondered in his mind, not knowing where to go. Being an outsider might not be such a cool thing.
-bHello. Behold, a shy female mouth appears not far behind Ben, making him look to see who it was. She was a woman with brown skin and a thin face, with black hair tied in a short ponytail, wearing a white shirt with a collar with buttons and a long skirt embroidered in black and printed with red flowers. Ben saw the woman greet him and was glad, thinking maybe it wouldn't be that hard to find a place where he could stay for a while.
- Uh, hi. Nice to meet you, my name is Benjamin Tennyson. What is yours? Ben began to introduce himself, extending his hand to the woman in front of him.
- I'm Elena, nice to meet you too, uh, Mr. Tennyson. Said the woman, shaking his hand in good, greeting him.
- Just call me Ben. Said the boy, friendly.
- So, it looks like you're kind of lost and I know someone who could fix you a room or, a place for you to stay. Elena said, making Ben feel a little less "weird" in that place so to speak.
- Serious? That is good! Ben got a little excited to hear that, too much so, and it ended up making the boy uncomfortable and made the girl cover her mouth so that a giggle wouldn't escape. Ben cleared his throat before starting to speak.
- So, could you… Ben started his question, for Elena to answer.
- Of course, come with me. …. Paradox brought Ben to a different world, a different place, with different people who, according to the time traveller, seemed to need help. The boy couldn't wait to perform one of his heroic feats for the first time in that village.
…
