Pipe Dreams:
An ideal that is unachievable. Some say people who have such dreams are fools. There is nothing wrong with wishing upon those dreams but sadly, reality is a cruel mistress.
Redemption:
The act of doing good after one has sinned to regain the trust of others or to save themselves from the shame of their sins.
Prologue
London Clock Tower, The hidden school of Magi where many families send their next of kin to study and build upon their magecraft with the help of high-quality resources and teachers. Many masters from the infinite teachings of the mystics share their knowledge in the hope that they may reach their main goal of fully understanding the power of the universe
Within the halls are a man named Zelretch, a man that has been on this earth for hundreds of years. A highly respected individual and also revered for his power over magic as very few people ever see him.
"Master Zelretch, Here are the reports you requested" A man with long black hair in a red coat entered and placed the papers on the desk.
Zelretch only nodded in acknowledgement and sat back in his chair. Even though he has accepted the man in front of him known as Waver to be his assistant, He rarely talks to him. Waver then walks to the window and was about to light a cigarette when Zelretch suddenly stood up and stared at the space in front of him.
"Paradox," He says to the space and with a blue light a man appeared. He had the look of a scientist and a man in his late thirties.
"No matter what I do, Only you can sense me coming." Professor Paradox said, greeting the man. Zelretch gets up and walks over to Paradox.
"As you say: Time travel is only for the immortal and fools." They both shake hands greeting each other as if they were old-time friends.
"Good to see you, Zelretch. Haven't aged a day since the last time I saw you." Paradox complimented his friend
"And you are still wearing that labcoat," Zelretch then sat back down in his chair.
"Now You only come to me for either tea or me lending my knowledge on the paranormal. And I have a feeling you are looking for the latter." The high-ranking magus guessed with great curiosity.
"A little bit different this time, I ask for a favour." Paradoxx sits down in the chair across.
"Another? Oh well it keeps me busy. What is it?" Zelretch raises an eyebrow in interest as the time traveller always brings stories that were anything but ordinary.
"I need you to convince the association to keep a blind eye to a certain man who will end up in an all too fatal game." The time-scarred professor said as he took a seat across from him.
"The Holy Grail War." Zelretch closed his eyes, collecting the information he had. Those words caused Waver to flinch slightly as he remained silent to listen in.
"The battle of seven magi and their , now I expect that your man isn't going to me a run of the mill master". Zeltretch asked and Paradox nodded.
"Yes, he will be in an eight Master-servant pairing for this battle." Paradox confirmed which raised an eyebrow from his old friend.
"You sure bring the most interesting situations to my attention. The Association normally hands off when it comes to the Grail war due to the church's involvement among other reasons." Zelretch said before leaning forward onto his desk staring curiously at the time travelling Professor.
"You wish to know who this man is, Don't you?" Paradox smiles.
"As a man with great influence I would like to know where my efforts were going." Zelretch asked
"Alright." Paradox then stood up.
"Ben Tennyson" Paradox's words got the full attention of both Zelretch and Waver.
"What? Him of all people?" Waver blurted out before stopping himself from the interruption.
" Lord EI-Melloi II, do you have something to say? It's fair if you have concerns since you have experience with The Holy Grail War." Zelretch asked, causing the man to tense up a bit before deciding to say what was on his mind
"With all due respect, are you sure he can handle such battles? I have seen what servants can do first hand because…" Waver paused as his PTSD from the previous war kicked in. He and his servant were on the end of the mighty Noble Phantasm before his partner dodged at the last second and saved them both.
"Don't force yourself to relive painful memories, Waver. I can rest assured that Benjamin will be able to handle it and he won't be alone in this fight." Paradox said, saving the survivor of the previous holy grail war from painful memories.
"So you already have a servant lined up for him? Interesting, I already have guesses on how you managed it." Zeltrech said while looking outside at the night sky with a full moon.
"...and I keep you guessing. The last thing I need is more eyes on my actions then I already have." The good time traveller said while opening his pocket watch.
"Hmm. Interesting. It won't be a problem as he is in the public spotlight so the Association wishes no connection from him. The attention of his cousin, Gwendolyn, already worries them enough" The mage association is well-informed on the heroic shapeshifter and his allies. They actually had to have talks with The Plumbers due to mages getting caught up with Alien affairs and a pseudo-peace treaty was formed between the two paranormal groups.
Paradox then nods and opens a blue portal: "Well I should get going. Good to see you again, old friend."
Zelretch nods and the portal closes leaving the remaining men in the room.
"Master Zelretch, who was that man?" Waver asks in confusion and concern.
"Professor Paradox, a man who achieves full understanding of time travel via science. By our standards it's the equivalent to reaching the Root. Maybe that is what actually happened…" Zelretch answered. Waver then thinks about the holy grail war and how he was once a Master in such a bloody battle. He stole a summoning catalyst from his teacher then and fought in the war in order to prove himself as a Magus.
"Something on your mind?" The wise man asked, breaking Waver's train of thought.
"Should we be concerned about Ben Tennyson participating in this battle? He may be a component fighter, but the world of Magi is still unknown to him." Waver asked.
"Ben Tennyson is an interesting individual. It's no surprise that he will be a master. The Grail War may only allow seven servants, but rules can bend in favour towards those that are worthy" Zelretch simply stated with no concern in his voice. Waver saw that and calmed his thoughts.
"You may take some time off, Mr EI-Melloi II. I will call you when I seek your service. I believe some time with your students will be good for you." Zelretch orders and Waver doesn't even question and leaves the room.
"Ben Tennyson…if anybody would be wise with the grail, it would be him," he said before lighting another cigarette.
Chapter 1
It was another calm and peaceful day in the town of Bellwood, at least when it's not the hotspot for nefarious activities from beings that are from the stars…Thankfully there was a young teenage hero that stood up for justice and peace for not only humanity but for all sentient life across the Galaxy.
His name was: Ben Tennyson, Protector of the Earth.
Ben was more than your average sixteen years old, ever since an alien watch latched itself to his arm when he was ten nothing has been ordinary. Ever since that one summer, he can transform into different alien lifeforms that are currently active or even extinct. Using his power fought villains such as Warlord Vilgax, The misguided Highbreed and Ultimate Aggregor all tried to bring harm to the universe but saw their plans to an end thanks to his use of the Omnitrix. Ben now wields The Ultimatrix, A variant of the Omnitrix that could hyper-evolve the Alien DNA to give an edge in combat. Even with all this power, Ben chooses not to stand alone, he has friends and family that help him against the most dangerous of foes.
Things were going well for the shapeshifter until recently his heroic career started to interfere with closer aspects of his life. Feeling down, Ben retreats to his favourite smoothie place to try to drink his worries away with various fruity drinks. The smoothie addict eventually fell asleep by the time his friends came looking for him.
"Ben?" Gwen, his magic-wielding cousin said, shaking Ben awake sleeping at a Mr Smoothy table. She was one of his closest allies as she was there during that summer when he got the Omnitrix and eventually discovered the world of Magic thanks to a spellbook she "Borrowed" from an old enemy Chamecaster.
"Ben"! Gwen's frustration grows with her cousin's laziness.
"I got this" Kevin, an old nemesis turned best friend, said, walking with a greasy bag of Ben's favourite fast food item...Chilli Fries…
Kevin Levin was once an enemy of Ben when he tried to absorb the power of the Omnitrix using his abilities. It led to him being stuck as an amalgamation of Ben's first ten aliens for a long time until he did some time in the Null Void. Now he is human again and now is dating Gwen while becoming best friends with Ben.
Kevin shakes the bag over Ben's head and he Darts awake like he wasn't in a thousand-year nap.
"Ohhhh boy some Chilli Fries!" Ben said, happy to see his favourite fast-food dish.
As Ben was about to grab the bag Kevin pulled it away leaving him confused. Ben now notices his Red-headed cousin not looking too pleased with him. He did a quick scan of what happened recently and couldn't think of anything he did that would set her off other than his school grades.
"Uhh what gives?" Ben asked as he noticed Gwen clearly not happy with him at the moment
"Ben we need to talk" She said with a very authoritative tone that he knows all too well. Things haven't been going too well for him ever since he broke up with Juile during the mission to save Ship, the Galvanic Mechamorph symbiote.
"Ben you need to get your head back into school and your..." Gwen was about to mention Julie but Ben stopped her.
"I know I need to get the school back on track. I just don't know how going hero has kinda been messing up my homework hours" Ben tried to focus on the school issue rather than his break up.
"...And we need to talk to you about what happened with Julie. We are here for you Ben, I just want to know why you broke up with her. You seem too bummed out to not have feelings for her. Gwen says as his two best friends sit down next to him trying to be supportive. Ben knew she wasn't going to drop it until he spilled the beans so he decided it was time.
"Fine. I broke up with her because…" he gave pause to let himself get his emotions together
"...Because I want her to live her life with me getting in the way," Ben said leaving Gwen confused.
"I thought you were made for each other, surely you can make it work again?" Gwen responded but Ben remained silent.
"If Ben was just a soccer player it would've worked." Kevin said, sitting down next to Gwen.
"Thing is: Ben isn't anymore since he put the watch back on and now is in the spotlight half the time he's in town. Which leaves him little to no time for anyone who doesn't want to be a hero with him all the time." The dark-haired car enthusiast said, hitting the nail on the head.
Gwen then understood what he was talking about... if Ben didn't put the Omnitrix back on a year ago and lived a normal life he might've had a much more steady relationship. Sadly Ben wasn't gonna stop being a hero and his duties kept on getting in the way of Julie's lifestyle and putting her life on the line. She has Ship to help her in a fight but isn't suited for hero work like Ben was. Unlike Julie, Kevin was ready to be a hero when he joined her and Ben so Gwen's relationship with him worked out well since they were a part of Team 10.
"I'm sorry Ben, I didn't understand…" Gwen sighed sadly, signally Kevin handed over the greasy food. Ben took the bag and opened up to find a large order of Chilli-fries waiting for him.
"It's ok Gwen, I guess it's just part of being the Hero," Ben said as he began chowing down on his favourite food. That comment didn't sit well with Gwen and Kevin, They looked at each other concerned for their friend. Deciding to change the topic for now, Gwen chimes in with an opportunity that at least would help him with the school.
"So, me and Grandpa Max have found a way to get you some extra credit for school. Something I think you would find fun and would get you the credits you need to catch up.. " Gwen said.
"Really? You didn't have to do that. I might have to take an extra year, that's all. Ben said with raised eyebrows as he wiped his face of cheesy chilli sauce.
"Nope, no cousin of mine is gonna miss out on graduating on time!" Gwen said, crossing her arms.
"I could just hack his grades and the school would be none the wiser-OOF." Kevin said as
Gwen elbowed him in the gut.
"Something Legitimate and could be fun for you. We signed you up for a student trip to Japan! Travelling around with Grandpa Max helped you a lot when we were kids so I figured this might do the same again." Gwen said.
Ben was surprised and confused at the thought of travelling to the mentioned eastern nation. At first, he thought it was crazy to send him somewhere far away, but a part of him got curious...
"Ok…I guess I could use some out of town time. Would I need to learn Japanese then? And what if I get recognized?" Ben asked.
"I'll help you out and with the translator in the Ultimatrix it should be easier for you to become fluent in Japanese. And it's pretty far out so I doubt you have as many raving fans as you do here." Gwen said with confidence as she was right. The watch did have a translator that helped with understanding Alien languages.
Ben Thought for a moment as he looked at the town surrounding him, everywhere he wanted to hang out reminded him of Julie. He looked down at the watch, his responsibility also reminding him that he can't be with her…
Maybe some time out of town would do him some good, and get a new perspective on things.
Ben also liked the possibility of having some form of a secret identity again since Jimmy Jones blew his cover a long time ago. Nowadays he is used to it but he will admit that being in the spotlight has caused him some trouble.
"Alright, where in Japan exactly?" Ben said, starting to sound interested and Gwen picked up on that.
"It's a small city split into two by a river named Fuyuki and you would be going to a local High school. The city is big enough to have the full experience but also small enough that you might not get recognized as a hero" Kevin answered.
"Well since I don't have any better ideas I guess I will give it a go. I could use some time to be out of the spotlight. When do I fly out?" Ben agreed to the trip while getting a happy smile from Gwen.
"About a month and a half from now, Let's get the Japanese started later today, Kevin needs to grab the tech to speed things up." Gwen stated as he would need to learn a second language before his trip.
"Oh boy." Ben braced himself for studying but was also excited to go. Both Gwen and Kevin then left after having a smoothie. Leaving Ben to his own thoughts about this upcoming trip.
"Maybe this will help me forget the loneliness…" Ben said as he looked towards the setting sun.
As time moves forward, another teen with similar dreams to Ben lies sleeping in a workshed in the home of Fuyuki Japan. Normally a teen would be sleeping in their bedroom but this young man had a habit of fixing things in the shed and then falling asleep. This boy didn't know it yet but in the coming days, he would begin not only fighting for his life but for the many lives of others. Not that he would be afraid of such tasks, as he himself dreams to become a hero, A champion of Justice. Yet, does he know the proper way to become a hero without losing himself…
"Senpai?...Senpai!" Sakura Matou shakes her schoolmates awake as his hazel-coloured eyes start to open to see the familiar Purple-haired friend. The red-head gets himself off and dusts off the jumpsuit he wears whenever he was fixing something up for a friend or just tinkering
This young man was named Shirou Emiya, the adopted son of the late Kiritsugu.
"hmm...Sakura?" Shirou said to his underclassman sitting beside him. He looks around realising he fell asleep in the shed again fixing something for a friend. As it was a habit of his to work into the late hours trying to bring a piece of equipment back to working order.
"Morning Senpai! Breakfast is ready" Sakura Happily greeted her friend.
"Well, then I should go wash up and meet you in the living room. Oh and thanks sakura sorry sleeping in" He said as he doesn't like being lazy when he could've helped.
"Oh no worries senpai you should sleep in every now and then since you're so busy" Sakura said and walked out. Shirou heads out shortly after questioning the dreams he was having the past couple of days. Blurry images of landscapes he has never been to and objects he has never touched. It seemed bizarre yet real to him which was concerning to him…
"Well time to get to breakfast" Shirou said as he headed off to the living room, Putting those dreams to the back of his head.
"So Shirou, is the guest room ready for our visitor?" Taiga, Shirou's caretaker and Teacher, asked him because they have volunteered their home to host a student from America. Taiga was very excited as she heard of stories of other families hosting transfer students during the program and wanted to try it herself.
"Yes Fuji-nee, I have set up the detached cottage because it is closer to a Western-style bedroom" Shirou answers while eating breakfast. For the past week, he was preparing the home for the newcomer to come into his home.
"Taiga sensei what was the boy's name? " Sakura asked
"Ben Tennyson, didn't I mention him before?" Taiga looked confused.
"No Sensei, all you told us is that you have signed up Emiya-senpai's home for him to stay in" Taiga slaps her forehead in humiliation.
"GAH I'm sorry I've been marking assignments and forgot to tell you who is coming!" Taiga takes a deep breath and Shirou chuckles a little at her antics.
"Ben Tennyson is a 16 year old boy from a town in America. According to his record good mannered and loves helping others. He's signed up for the travel program posted at his local school." Taiga said as she re-read the email on her phone.
"Sounds like we'll get along now. Let's hope he doesn't mind our cooking eh Sakura?" Shirou turns to his friend to find her lost in thought and blushing a bit. Something he has rarely seen in his Kouhai.
"Oh huh? yeah!" Sakura quickly responded.
Seeing her distracted look of Sakura, Taiga quickly turned cat-faced: "ohohohoh Is Sakura interested that she might have another boy like Shirou here?"
"Sensai...That's..Not True..." Sakura turned red as a beet at those words while looking away.
"Eh, Fuji-nee, eat your breakfast or you're gonna run late" Shirou said, saving his friend from Taiga's teasing scheme.
"Oh-oh Shirou, relax. '' She returns to her fourth helping of rice to add to her fifth helping of breakfast. Some would call it crazy but Shirou and Sakura always make sure to be cooking the healthiest way possible within their budget.
After Cleaning up, both Sakura and Shirou were walking to school like they do every day. They stopped at a crosswalk while seeing a patrol of police cars drive by as they waited for the traffic lights to change.
"What could be happening, Senpai?" Sakura asked Shirou about the police cars dashing by as they waited to cross the street.
"I don't know. You don't have to worry about them too much, Sakura," Shirou responded.
"Okay." Sakura said content with that answer.
For the past couple weeks the city has been the target of murderers and robbers but most of the time the only thing stolen was someone's life. Just thinking about such a monster caused his hidden anger to swell and his blood to boil…As much as he tried to hide it, Sakura could tell that he was angry.
If only she could tell him the truth, but that would be putting his life on the line…
The school day starts normally so Shirou goes to the Student council room to check in with his friend Issei who was the President of said council. He took his job seriously and lucky for him Shirou was an excellent repairman.
"Ah, Emiya! Good to see you" Issei, head of the student council said to Shirou as he entered the student council room and closed the door behind him. He instantly spots the patient in the room: A space heater normally used during the winter semester by many school clubs.
"We have an issue with the distribution of budget money amongst the school clubs and the culture clubs are always treated with misfortune. One big problem is the shortage of heaters during the winter." Issei explained while Shirou inspected the space heater.
"Think you can fix it?" The student council president asked while looking over his papers.
"Ah, I think it's probably a short circuit problem with the wires. It should last this winter if we replace them with new ones." Shirou said, giving a first glance at the device.
"You're good, Emiya. I am very pleased I can count on you." Issei said with a sigh of relief.
"Issei, You use some weird words sometimes. Umm, hey I need to concentrate a bit, so could you leave the room?" Shirou said politely.
"It's a delicate process then. Alright. I won't be a bother to you, Emiya." Issei then leaves the room. Allow the Redhead to work his…Magic…
Shirou wasn't conventional when it came to repairing things. He had a very minor talent with the hidden power of magecraft. It wasn't much, but he could Trace an object in his head to understand its properties and reinforce it if needed. It was the only magecraft he knew but he kept training it every day by using it to easily fix things.
"...There are two electric heat lines disconnected. It will still operate. As for the electrical cord, I can do it with electrical tape." He said as he opened his toolbox
His father was the one to reveal the world of the Magi to him the day he saved the boy's life. Shirou instantly believed him, but when it came to him asking to learn. His father was reluctant and only taught him reinforcement.
Once the job was done he caught up to his friend in the hall who thanked him for the help just before Homeroom. This was also the moment he saw Rin Tohsaka walk by him. She looked at him for a quick moment before continuing to walk past them.
Feeling like he should say something he decides on something pretty benign and polite.
"Yo, Toshaka, You are here early." Rin paused, looked back at him and continued walking into her assigned homeroom.
He was right, She was always at school just before the bell rings and leaves almost instantly afterwards. That didn't stop the boys of the school from admiring her looks and smarts as a student.
"Emiya, Are you gunning for Tohsaka, too?" Issei said, breaking the silence.
"W-what do you mean, gunning for Tohsaka?" Shirou stammered at that comment. Issei then explained her popularity among the students. He was right, She was always at school just before the bell rang and left almost instantly afterwards. That didn't stop the boys of the school from admiring her looks and smarts as a student. Nor did she have anything to blemish her record as a student or even one nasty rumour.
Issei himself doesn't like her which surprised Shirou, but he waved it off as they were incompatible.
The day goes by and the two boys find a place to eat lunch together like they usually do.
"So you're all set for the foreigner coming to your home?" Issei asks as he was well versed in programs that the school hosted.
"Yes and according to Taiga he's not a troublemaker so he won't be a disturbance in the school" Shirou said as he eats his well-prepared lunch.
"That's good to hear. Can I depend on you to show him around the grounds since he will be having the same classes as you?" Issei asks while sipping tea. Turns out Ben Tennyson will be a classmate to Shirou which Taiga also forgot to mention.
"I will Issei, relax" Shirou assured him right before Issei steals a meatball from his lunchbox. He forgets that Issei lives with monks at the nearby temple so his diet was very restrictive.
At least his lunchbox always seemed to have a little extra food whenever it was Sakura's turn to prepare their midday meals.
"...Oh yeah. You know about the incident that happened early today in midtown?" Issei asked while sipping tea.
"What happened there?" Shirou asked as he recalled seeing the police cars with Sakura.
"A homicide. I don't know the specifics. But they say it was a break-in robbery. A family of four was assaulted. The weapon used was…strange as it sounds…something with long reach. So it had to be a japanese sword or spear-like weapon." Issei then looked down at his reflection in the tea.
"Gas leaks seem to also be happening every day in Shito while we have sword killers over here. School curfew is going to be even short-"
So did they get the suspect in that homicide incident? Shirou interrupted, knocking over his lunch.
"No, sadly. They don't even mention them; they don't even have a clue." Issei answered before noticing his friend getting pale. Shirou calms himself and explains it was just from worrying news.
The day continued but the boy couldn't get the news of the homicides out of his head. Even when he decided to walk in the nearby park near his workplace due to him showing up early. Shirou finds a park bench and passes the time with his thoughts. Too many strange things were happening recently and all of it points to stuff that his dad might've had answers to. But he passed away a few years ago and now Shirou was alone in this building chaos.
After his work shift, he heads home in the empty streets. No one wanted to be out at night because of the murders and gas leaks; it was just him. He can't help but feel the danger in the air like something was happening all around him. Yet the boy couldn't see it at all.
That train of thought was then paused by the sight of a young girl ahead of him. She appeared to be an albino due to her pale skin, white hair and red eyes. Her attire looked European in design with purple being her choice of colour. She didn't say anything, just gave him a smile before walking past him.
"If you don't hurry and summon your servant, you're going to die, Onii-chan."
Those words froze Shirou for a few moments. Before he could turn around and ask her she disappeared from sight. All Shirou could assume was that she had to be connected to the mystery going on in Fuyuki.
Only if he knew fully what was in store for him. Away from prying eyes, an observer was watching both Shirou Emiya and Ben Tennyson from her terminal in a digital space safely out of reach.
"The Einzbern has already made contact. As expected due to her history with the boy's father. Highly likely that she'll make him a priority target whenever she can." The observer mumbles as she collects data.
"Well…At least he should be summoning Saber on his own soon. No need to interlope on that front" She then swaps over to Ben Tennyson who was expected to be In Fuyuki within the next day. Currently, he is at his home in Bellwood, resting for his flight.
"Tennyson will be in the thick of it all. He is powerful but servants are not to be trifled without one to stand with you." She then taps a few keys on her keyboard to open a new video feed of a containment unit. It was just filled with pure light currently but the reading showed a positive of what she was looking for.
"Good. I just need to make the link….Time to have a chat with our hero. I hope he lives up to what you tell me…Paradox."
Commencing Contact trial...
It was late at night in Bellwood and Ben was sleeping the night away in his own bed. All was quiet until the Ultimatrix's dail started to light up and spin on its own. The slight noises didn't wake the sleeping hero as the watch was currently processing newfound data from both an external source and an internal source…
During the night our hero was sound asleep getting as much rest as possible for the big trip he was about to go on. One would wish for some peaceful dreams, however, fate had different plans for Ben.
The young hero found himself walking down a darkened street late at night. There was this eerie feel to all of this until he saw a girl standing at the other end of the street. From this distance, all he could see was her flowing brown hair and was wearing a white dress. Before he could act she started to run away down the street.
"H-hey! Wait up!" Ben called out before going into a sprint himself. Worried for the girl running around in these darkness-filled streets. He manages to catch up only for her to disappear right as she passes a corner.
"Huh? Hello? Are you Okay?" Ben yells out only to hear the girl laughing down the street behind him. Again she starts to run away forcing Ben to chase after her again through these strange suburbs that seem to warp and change the moment he starts sprinting again. This repeated on and on with him nearly getting close to the girl only for her to appear somewhere else. She eventually led Ben to a city centre and appeared on the rooftops while waving at him.
Ben, who was getting a little frustrated by this goose-chase, activates the ultimatrix. turning the dial the hologram displays the alien he wants. He pushes the dial downwards and transforms into his Necrofriggian form: Big Chill.
The blue moth-man-like alien then unwraps his wings from its body and flies up into the air. He then becomes intangible and flies through the building to catch up. It didn't take long and Big Chill caught phased through the ground in front of her.
"Okay, I am not trying to be rude or scary with you and I apologise in advance. But I know something is extremely off and I think you know what's up. So, who are you?" Big Chill asked in his raspy voice.
"I can't tell you my name just yet, but I will say that I am an observer of some sorts. Sorry for having you run around, I am just running a test on you." She said, causing Big Chill to blink for a few moments.
"Okaaaaaay…Uh…I don't really like being a labrat to a complete stranger." He said.
"Oh, no! I have no intention of treating you like that nor do I wish any grievous harm upon you. I swear it's all for good reasons" She said honestly with the look of truth in her brown eyes. Big Chill pondered for a moment. This girl looked about his age but spoke like she knew her stuff.
"Why?" he asked.
"Because there will be difficult trails ahead of you I'm afraid." She said with a serious face. He knew that face all too well.
Ben looks out over the horizon as Ben remembers Magister Labrid, the plumber who died the day Ben put the Omnitrix back on. If something big was happening, then a little test of his skills wouldn't hurt much.
Right?
"Azimuth said the same words to me and was right. If it's something big then I'll do whatever it takes to help, so I will go on faith and help you out." Ben then taps the Ultimatrix badge on his chest and reverts back to human.
"I see. Magister Labrid, He really set you on the right path. I'm sure he is proud of what you have become." The Observer said as a desk and two chairs materialised out of nowhere. She takes a set and gestures for Ben to sit across from her. He does and the environment shifts to a clear blue sky with the ground becoming reflective.
"Thank you, Mr Tennyson." She said while opening up a holographic terminal while glasses appeared on her face.
"Call me, Ben." He asked politely as he wasn't too keen on being so professional.
"Very well. I am just going to ask you a few questions then I will begin the test for real." she said and Ben nodded.
"Ben, what drove you to put the Omnitrix back on after removing it years ago?" The Observer asked.
"I put it back on because something big was happening and innocent people could get hurt. I put my hesitations aside because the world needed a hero then more than ever" Ben said and She types some information in.
"Since then, you have made an ally of your old nemesis. Kevin Levin. Correct?" She asked the next question.
"Yup. At first it was strange given our past but he proved himself over the years. The battles we fought and the people we saved turned us into best friends. Sure we have our rough patches but we get each other's backs when we need to save the world." Ben answered honestly.
"...But at one point you fought him to the brink of death." The Observer brings up the very violent rift in their friendship when Kevin absorbs the energy of the Ultimatrix and goes crazy again.
"That…was a really rough moment, but I realise he turned himself into a monster to save us. I shouldn't have put more faith in Gwen back then when she was trying to find a way to cure Kevin. After that I solidified my belief that everyone deserves a second chance." Ben said honestly, as now he learned from that mistake and puts more faith in his friends. Even those that have done wrong in the past, he'll extend his hand if they seek a brighter future.
"That is a very good belief to have Ben, not everyone can be so trusting." The long-haired girl comments.
"Thanks."
"Now, one more question. What is it that you fear? And I don't mean something typical like clowns or ghosts. I want to know what really bothers you." She asked and that made Ben a little apprehensive. It wasn't something you just asked a person out of the blue.
"Ben, I promise I am not your enemy. You can trust me." She said, taking off her glasses.
Taking a deep breath…he looks into himself, into what he is really scared of. The thing that would send him into despair. He looked back at the girl across from him and felt no malice from her. Something was telling him that he can trust her and that she was truly trying to help him.
"Other than losing those I love ... It's being alone." Ben answered truthfully letting out his ultimate vulnerability.
"Being alone?" The Observer tilts her head in curiosity.
"Well, more specifically. Not having…Someone close." Ben said while gazing into his reflection on a very shiny desk. The Observer could tell it was truly what sent despair into his soul.
"I see…I understand then. I am sorry for asking." She said while standing up from her chair.
"Come let's walk for a bit. Lighten your mind." The girl then taps on the desk causing it to disappear along with her chair. Ben stood up as well and his chair disappeared as well.
The two walked for a bit across the very scenic landscape for a while until Ben decided to ask a question.
"So, what is this place?" He asked.
"It's a very complicated realm but Think of it as a hidden world that exists within the moon." She said pointing upwards. Showing up in the sky was the Earth in all of its glory.
"Whoa. I thought Paradox was the only person on the moons. Well, Other than the plumber's outpost." Ben said.
"There are a lot of secrets about our world and its moon that you don't know about. Which you are also not ready for. No offence. I know Azimuth chews you out a lot." She said looking over his shoulder at him
"Yeah, but sometimes he's right. I DID break the Omnitrix." Ben admitted. At least she was being a lot nicer about him not being ready for some big secrets. It also helped that she was a little bit cute to Ben.
"But you own up to your mistakes and proven that you are more than just your watch." She said as she stopped walking and turned around.
"Here we are." She said, causing Ben to look around in confusion.
She then snaps her fingers and a whole Roman coliseum appears around them. Making where they stood on the main stage.
"Huh…I Take it we are doing some combat tests now?" Ben guessed and the lady in charge of this strange place nodded.
"Correct. No lethal force will be used against you. This is just a test of your skill in intense battles. Feel free to use whatever aliens you wish, your foe may look human but they are more than that." She said as a figure appeared in front of her from out of the sky. It looked like a female human but her upper body was covered in red flaming shadows. The lower half only shows a red skirt and golden-coloured metal boots. The shadow stared at him with two white eyes but then bows with respect.
Ben gives a nod before powering up his watch and selects one of the classic aliens: Heatblast The Pryonite.
"Alright! Let's do this-Whoa!" Heatblast ducks to avoid getting hit by a very fancy-looking red sword that was also covered in shadows. He then noticed the barrier-like effect along the edges of the blade. Reducing the possible lethality significantly, showing their honesty that they weren't out to kill him.
Heatblast smirks as he dukes it out with the shadow. He'll admit that this thing was a really good fighter. It dodges his fireballs and reacts quickly to his close-range attacks. When he decides to take to the sky, it jumps up into the air with superhuman strength to match him.
"Oof!" Ben grunts as he lands flat on his face and his watch times out.
"Uh..That seemed a little too early, even for this thing." Ben said right before the ground started to shake violently.
"Oh no! Not now!" The Observer said looking stressed as the ground started to crumble and crack into a dark void.
"What's going on?!" Ben shouted as he could barely stand on his feet with the massive earthquake.
"We are out of time! Ben, I don't have time to explain! Just Remeber: You have to change of those that stand with you!" The brunette and the shadow disappeared in a blue light.
"Wait! What?!" Ben shouts before the ground gives way to a black void and he falls into it.
It was dark…So dark and cold. Ben just continues to fall into an abyss. Until he abruptly lands on some form of solid ground
"W-where am I? Hello? Ms Observer? Are you there?" Ben called out.
"Interesting…"
The emerald Hero looks around as a deep voice echoes from the void.
"So this is what claims to be a 'hero'...Hahahaha…You have never seen REAL evil…"
"Who are you! Show yourself!" Ben demanded.
"Very well" Two beastly red eyes appeared in the darkness in front of him.
"No matter… I am so desperate these days…and hungry…" A massive maw opens up below the eyes.
"I don't intend on being some creeps lunch. Going Hero-OW" Ben winces as he slaps his bare wrist expecting the ultimatrix to be there.
"Hahahaha! No toys to save you! You shall become fuel for my return!" The monsters in the shadows then run at Ben. Without the watch, all Ben could do was run away as fast as he could.
From a strange dream, he has fallen into a straight-up nightmare!
Even if this was still a dream the threat of this monster felt very real and he had to keep running
"Come on! Wake up Ben! Can't Let this thing get you!" Ben does everything he could to wake himself up but nothing was working. Then he spots something in the distance, A green light.
"Is that the watch?" Ben said before getting hit in the back, sending up flying forward. Lucky for him he landed right in front of what he was running for.
"A…Sword?" Ben said confused but then he noticed the familiar hourglass symbol on the crossguard. Without question, he pulls out of the ground and slashes behind him. It forced the beast chasing him to dissipate.
"Huh…Cool." Ben said only to be surrounded by more Shadowy beasts. With nowhere to run he fights back with the blade in his hands. Even with the blade killing each monster in a single blow, they just kept on coming out of the shadows.
"You ... .Will…FALL" Ben began to sink into the ground.
"No! No! Come on!" He struggled against the muck as the shadows laughed maniacally.
"Gwen, Kevin, Grandpa! Anybody! Help!" Feeling real dread Ben cried out for somebody to help him as all hope seemed lost for the protector of the earth.
The bright light burst through the darkness that surrounded him and a volley of elemental energy rained down upon the monsters upon him. Water, Fire, Ice and even wind slew the beasts.
Ben didn't know what was going on but he was glad for the help. Feeling renewed hope he pulls himself out of the muck and runs towards the lights as beasts reformed around him.
"Come on! Almost-GOT IT!" Ben touches what appeared to be a flying mirror coated in pure sunlight. His vision became overwhelmed with light until it returned only to find himself in another new place
Ben looks around in his new surroundings: A moonlit field, Grass blowing in the wind like golden water. It was nice to look at but then he heard something behind him…More like someone to be accurate.
Crying?
Turning around he saw a girl about his age in a kimono-like outfit with pink hair. What really surprised him was that she had the ears of a fox on top of her head and even a big fluffy-looking tail behind her. Ben was no stranger to odd appearances as he constantly transforms into different aliens on the fly. Yet this person seemed to really catch his eyes with her beauty. He quickly shook his head as this girl was crying and he needed to help her out immediately, may this be the person who saved him?
"Hey there. Is something wrong?" Ben asked
"I-I was rejected..Just for who I am…" She said sobbing into her hands, the sight of her stabbed into the young hero's heart.
"Who rejected you?" Ben asked.
"Everyone...Just because I couldn't hide it anymore. I will forever be alone…" Her sobbing slowed as she realised that someone was talking to her.
"You're not alone right now." Ben said and this seemed to stop her crying as she slowly raised her head.
"Are..you…?"
" to change their fates."
Ben wakes up as he falls out of Bed.
"That's the last time I eat Chili-fries before bed!" He exclaimed while wiping off the sweat on his face. Looking outside it was still late at night. The boy tried to recollect what he saw but he could barely recall any of it. His mind refused to even rethink what he saw in that nightmare.
Ben looked at his wrist and thankfully the Ultimatrix was still there.
All he could recall now was…Chilling darkness that sent a shiver down his spine.
A magical fox girl crying…
"...And I must change their fates." Ben said with a yawn while looking up at the moon through his window.
AN: BOOYAH Here we are with the first Chapter of my Re-Write of A Hero's Path! After some thought, there was much I wanted to change and tinker with. That includes rethinking what I going for with the sequel, I am going to scrap the triple crossover idea as it would be too much to keep up with and hard to set up on this website.
Sorry for people that were excited about that but I was being a little too impractical due to the hype from finishing my first fic. I hope you enjoy the remake still and stick around to see what is new.
My Goal with this Remake is to touch up the word count for each chapter and improve on certain aspects and feel.
Stuff like: dialogue, Servant bonds, Steelguard, More Mikon, and the post-story.
I hope you enjoy and take your time to check out this remake and as always...
Have a nice day!