LES MUSICIENS DU MONDE
A CROSSOVER STORY
2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
This chapter begins just weeks after the Taiwan Incident between demons, Plumbers, LMM, and esoterics. It exposed the distrust that was there and now, the situation has gone from bad to worse. A villain from Ben's past will return to settle the score after a decade since his last defeat. Yes, it is Vilgax; the one villain from his rogue gallery that gets under his skin as much as Brainiac or Darkseid does for Superman. Unlike how Vilgax came back in the third season of Ben 10: Alien Force, this return is a lot more methodical. In this story's timeline, it's now ten years since the events of 'Secrets of the Omnitrix'. We are going to see a different Vilgax and his plan for conquest will differ as well.
To be quite frank, this portion of Arc III scared me and challenged the world-building elements I've set over the story's run. But thanks to friends I've made over the years, two of which are writers on this site, this managed to take shape in ways I never would have imagined. From the bottom of my heart, I thank them a thousand times, even when they have put up with my foolishness and stubbornness.
CHAPTER TEN
OORT CLOUD, SOLAR SYSTEM
Against the backdrop of space, stars glittered. One lone white-yellow dwarf star was alone with a cloud of icy bodies floating around it. Approaching this sole star system was a warship. A spacefaring cruiser with the insignia of the Vilgaxian Empire, a head of a Chimera Sul Generis inside a circle, with tentacles and an alien script written around the head. Inside, there was activity.
Thousands and thousands of soldiers were walking along the decks of the warship. Carrying out their duties, relaxing, training, making adjustments to their equipment, and looking out to the lone star ahead of them. On one deck level, near the bow so to speak, was the warlord himself. Alone in his private quarters was a training room, a trophy room, study, and bedchamber. He sat alone in the training room, with his weapons in front of him, meditating. His eyes closed and his facial tentacles subconsciously moving. His memories kept replaying the last time he had been in this star system.
Ben Tennyson, the wielder of the Omnitrix, and now a hero to be for the galaxy. In the beginning, the meditating conqueror wanted the device to rule the galaxy by using the transformations to learn the physical and mental weaknesses of various sentient species' and rule them. Then when Ben went to the planet Xenon, located in the Hugopata Quadrant, to have the Omnitrix repaired before self-destructing. Due to his hubris and anger, he let the boy defeat him one too many times. To the point of having the young Tennyson transforming into a member of the To'kustar species (Way Big in Ben's vernacular), defeating his drone army, and tossing him into the depths of space.
That should have been the end, but due to the cybernetic enhancements he had at the time, he was saved from suffocating in the vacuum of space. Local bounty hunters rescued him weeks later as he drifted out of the space quadrant. He was then taken back to his home world of Vilgaxia. He headed to one of the major cities that specialized in cybernetic implants and their removal. He wanted his removed. They provided no better results in defeating his foes than what he was like before, when he faced the young boy's grandfather, the Plumber Magister, Max Tennyson.
When his cybernetic implants were removed he returned to his older form of training. It was grueling to fight without the crutch of his cybernetic implants, but the more he trained, the more he was closer to what he was as a Chimera Sul Generis. He even went as far as to control his natural form, when he trained in the seas. When on land and bipedal, he trained with the sword, the shield, the spear, and barehanded combat. Then, once he was ready, he began his conquest.
Over the past decade, he's conquered nine worlds. And from the nine, five were members of the Galactic Enforcers. The Tetramand's home world, Khoros, was spared due to the solid home defense the inhabitants put up. So with reluctance he retreated. Khoros was meant to be his tenth world in his conquest, but he had another thought. Why not conquer Earth?
Earth, or Terra is long viewed as a prime position to the rest of the galactic trading routes for the other half of the galaxy. If captured by a space-faring empire, that empire would control the galactic trade for centuries. But his true reason for conquering Earth is more personal. Something he would share with the officers in the war room.
He walked to his war room and the doors slid open. His officers, generals, and lieutenants stood in attention. He raised his hand and motioned them to sit. Then he took his seat at the head of the table. They began to discuss what's ahead of them.
AUGUST 2013, WEEK TWO
Marrakesh, Morocco
[Marrakech Medina, Monday, 11:34 AM]
Hakeem was with the Arabian prince Mahbeer El Hashem, the prince's uncle, and Anan Bhattacharya. Their current headquarters were in one of the country's royal family's residences. In this case one of their riads. With his connections, the prince and his uncle arranged for them, and the priest, and British-Indian woman to stay here for the time being. This precaution had been taken considering the events of what had been termed the 'Taiwan Incident' by the esoteric press, or the 'Two Days of Darkness' by the word's press. The four were in the main office with the rest of the prince's entourage.
From her seat, Anan can see the men in their traditional robes of Saudi Arabia, with key subtle differences in the weaving patterns and demeanor, were chatting in Arabic and carrying out duties for Mahbeer. The gardens were visible from her vantage point, so she decided to get up and take a walk outside, again.
Being trapped indoors since coming here visibly frustrated her. Not due to the country's stances of women moving freely, far from it. It was due to the prince's insistence she remain on standby. She's gone to the market or just walked around the city. But it's been almost always with an escort, or with Priest Hakeem. She has tried to speak with the prince, but was unable to. While in the gardens she looked around at the flowering plants, shrubs, and trees that provided shade. She was wearing a light green sari over her white shirt, a knee-length skirt, and sneakers. Then she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and it was Hakeem.
"I didn't mean to startle you," he spoke as he wore his purple robes and carried his iron staff.
She smiled, "You hadn't."
"But you're troubled."
She nodded a yes, "What is Mahbeer doing anyway? Since we've seen those lights outside of Marseille he's become serious. And William along with Henriette have fled for home."
Hakeem walked with her along the perimeter, "The lights signal what's to come. A new conflict."
"What conflict? Besides the human conflicts in the Middle East, uprisings, and the like, the only one we've just settled was the demonic infestation. The Void Lock was enacted. We've won."
Hakeem however shook his head in a no, "It's not. The astronomers in old observatories alerted those of our like. And from there, the lanterns were lit. From the Far East to the West, and from the Levant to here, in Africa."
Anan stopped walked, "And the Americas?"
He nodded, "I'm in no doubt, the lanterns were lit there as well. And those in LMM, who are mystics would know of this."
"If they know."
"They do."
Anan was suspicious. They were too modern to know the traditions. Hakeem sees this in her and simply added, "They're finding their roots. Be patient."
'Patience? I'm exhausted from being patient with them! What else do they have to find in order to accept who they are?'
Armenian Highlands, Turkey/Armenia
[1:37 PM]
Fatma was training with the dragon she recently mounted with a representative from across the door, Kitty. The alien dragons were still on Earth observing and attempting to fly with the dragon. They documented how this Earth dragon lacked forearms and walked with the wings on the ground with its legs. The larger size and ability to breathe fire was also documented.
Fatma was riding atop the dragon. She held on with more ease but struggled at times when it buckled beneath her. She then got on her feet and levitated about the dragon and flew alongside it from above using her mystical power. It was something that she just recently unlocked. And Kitty below was using her binoculars to observe.
Fatma's mother, Nazeria walked up to Kitty, "How is my daughter doing?"
Kitty had her repeat the question and after reading her lips, she responded, "She's doing all right. More in control, but the two energies between herself and the dragon are still causing tension. But in just two weeks she's shown surprising levels of grit."
Nazeria looked above with concern. She kept her shawl close to her body, to shield against the wind. Nearby, her second daughter, Marjan was watching safely on a bed of grass. Next to her was a friend Fatma made last year during the excursion across Syria, Albedo. Albedo decided to come here when he caught wind of dragon aliens were on Earth. He glanced at times to Marjan who was in the moment observing her sister above, with worry written on her face.
Albedo looked up. The fact a human female was levitating above the dragon drove the point home he knew little of Earth. Even as he observed those around him in Bellwood, '…this planet makes you feel it is larger than it actually is. I wonder if this has anything to do with the esoteric anomalies affecting the geological spatial dimensions of this planet? Or perhaps this is more due to esoteric energies classified as 'magic' affecting spatial awareness among humans and other sentient lifeforms Or, perhaps…'
Albedo's thoughts were interrupted by the dragon. Marjan next to him saw the dragon growling lowly when her sister landed on its back. It buckled and then Fatma was forced to fly above it again. The two landed on the grass in the distance.
Kitty jogged to Fatma and can see the Iranian girl exhausted. But nonetheless, she was happy. Marjan relaxed, "That's good."
"What's good," Albedo asked and Marjan turned to him, "She didn't die."
Albedo chuckled lightly at the humor, "Funny. But seriously," he then turned to the Earth's dragon's direction, "Where did that beast come from? How can that creature live in seclusion with a lot of humans here?"
Marjan sighed and turned to him, "I don't know. That's the worrying part. If it did not come from around here, then…"
Albedo came to the same conclusion, "Then it was sent here. But who would…Marjan…Marjan?"
Marjan was looking upward with a worried expression and then to the mountains, with Ararat to the east, "The lights were lit recently. And since then I've been worried."
"The lights? You mean those huge torches Plumbers have reported in the United States?"
"It's just not there. Those lights have been lit across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, and Africa. Something is coming and the stars have shown us that a new conflict is on the horizon."
Albedo was now interested. He looked into her eyes and noticed a light within them. It was similar to when he saw the mystics in LMM were about to fight and defend. Even the magi exhibited the similar light in the eyes. He also wanted to bring up something to share with Fatma later. But Marjan seemed to have the potential as well. He'll approach her later.
District 20, Wudang Mountains, China
[7:40 PM]
Lt. Fann Guan-yin Chow nursed her eye-patch. She walked down the long hallway to reach the spacecraft hangar. Various officers were walking past her. Some saluted, while others were engrossed in their assignments on tablet like devices. She barely acknowledged those around her as she made her way outdoors. Minutes later, as she just entered the hangar, she entered an elevator to take her up. Alone with her thoughts, she remembered the blonde British looking man who spared her a more severe punishment. As well as the disciplining of Max Tennyson with his arm and leg amputated off. She felt a shudder roll over her, but she shook it off as the elevator opened. Once outside on the top of the cliff, she sees a person ahead of her, a monk.
The monk in question wore the typical Shaolin monk's robes and his head shaved. He held his bow staff and gave her a sympathetic smile. She bowed, and he returned the bow. She walked closer and the two sat on the cliff in the lotus position. They sat in silence for a few moments before speaking. The monk spoke first.
"看来你得为上级的罪恶赎罪。毫无疑问，你对如何从这里前进有许多想法。 (It seems you have to atone for the sins of your superiors. No doubt you have many thoughts on how to progress from here.)," the monk spoke with his eyes closed.
Fann replied, also with her eyes closed, "我心里有一个。但是，世界各地的灯光把这一点放在一边。就目前而言，这就是。 (I have one on my mind. But the lights seen across the world have put that aside. For now, that is.)"
"所以你知道某件事即将开始。你会参加吗? (So you know something is about to begin. Will you take part?)"
"我有选择吗? (Do I have a choice?)"
"No."
"你? (No?)"
"除非你不想在对你所做的耻辱之后重新获得一些荣誉。 (Unless you do not wish to regain some honor after the shame that has been done to you.)"
Fann scoffed but then apologized, "很抱歉。但是，与那个年轻人让我免于的事相比，失去我的眼睛是一种怜悯。 (Sorry. But the loss of my eye is a mercy compared to what that young man spared me from.)"
The Shaolin monk nodded as he listened. The sound of the wind around them, and a lone hawk cawing from above were the only sounds heard. Fann opened her lone eye, now seeing only a partial world before her. She thought of going through a procedure to implant a cybernetic eye in the near future, in order to continue her work unimpeded.
"你会重见天日的，范观音。当你遭遇个人失败时，耐心是关键。在失败中，你变得更坚强。这就是你已经知道的。 (You will regain your sight, Fann Guan-yin Chow. Patience is key when you have suffered a personal defeat. And in defeat, you grow stronger. That is what you already know.)"
Fann nodded and heard the monk getting up. With silence only felt, she looked at the man beside her, "怎么? (What is it?)"
"星星…他们读得不好。有东西从上面传来。 (The stars…they read ominously. Something is coming from above.)"
"是什么人还是什么人？ (Something or someone?)"
The monk gave his answer with a silent, but all-knowing expression. Fann felt her eye widen and her pulse quickening. Then an alarm was heard down the mountain. She stood up quickly. The monk nodded and she nodded in return. Fann then rushed back to the elevator to take her below to the base. The monk tapped his staff and Apparated away.
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
[Wellington Park, 9:55 PM]
Tonight, when everyone was at home in warm beds, Connor and Edward were patrolling the national park and were on the lookout for anything strange. Since the 'Two Days of Darkness', the two returned to their old routine of monitoring the skies for any alien activity. One of the few pieces of technology they've kept from their days as Forever Knights was a stolen piece of surveillance equipment to detect alien ships, Plumber or otherwise in the sky.
"I'm tracking nothing in this sector of the sky, sir." Edward spoke as he adjusted his telescope.
"Keep looking. We'll stay two more hours before heading back to town. Understood?" Connor spoke gruffly.
Edward flinched at Connor's tone. He nodded and continued to monitor the sky. Connor looked at his former squire and sighed to himself. He didn't mean to use that tone as he once had. But with regards to what happened, he felt he was in the right.
"Just keep looking."
"But if there are no visible signs in the sky, what other sort of spectrum should I be looking for?"
Connor looked at Edward and thought for moment. Edward was on the right track. If there were no visible ships at the moment, then they would be hiding or on their way; then he had an idea.
"Check for gravitational pulses across the sky. If there are any ships coming into the solar system, any ship would pulsate gravitational waves when coming out of warp drive."
Edward nodded and adjusted the settings on the surveillance equipment. But changing the spectrum from visible light to radio waves, he was now looking at a night sky looking very different. As he looked across the ecliptic, where the planets traveled in their orbits, he checked the orbits of the Kuiper Belt and scanned more closely. Even with the last piece of smuggled alien technology, he found nothing. However:
"I still think something is out there. Just outside the edges of the solar system," Connor said with quiet conviction.
Edward looked up at him, "How?"
"Intuition."
"Intuition?"
"Yes."
For Edward, this was alien to ears, "Forgive me sir, but that is unlike you. You never relied on intuition. Unless it was supported by evidence and intelligence for past operations."
"I know it's very unlike me. But I swear to you this is the truth. There is something lurking out in the darkness. Watching."
"Who? Or rather, what?" Edward asked, but received no answer. The silence was all he needed.
Bellwood, TX, USA
[6:56 AM]
Ben was with Kevin, Gwen, and Kenneth as they drove around downtown Bellwood. Ben driving in his car with Kenneth, and Kevin in his with Gwen, they surveyed the damage done to downtown Bellwood. Broken glass littered the streets with repairs underway. The final battle against demons and the like have rocked the citizens. And after witnessing the power of magi and mystics together, and seeing LMM very efficient in cooperating with the esoterics have, it felt like a godsend.
Kenneth just arrived home to see his family was all right. When those two days happened, when the dust settled he hopped in his car and drove back to Bellwood. Not caring if he had to pay off four speeding tickets later. He looked around, "Looks like you had a freaking party here."
Ben chuckled, "Yeah, but it wasn't, and no aliens this time. This was a genuine cluster fuck with demons and magic. I don't wanna go through that again."
"And it's a good thing Gwen is all right. When she said fighting that demon for the first time really rocked her, I was freaking out when mom called and told everything."
Kenneth said and Ben nodded, "Not just that. The 'Void Lock' thing broke all the windows here. But hey, if it can send all of the demons back to hell, the cleanup is the least we can do."
Even as Ben said this, Kenneth didn't feel this was enough, "If those wizards and witches were keen on it, they could've stayed with the cleanup," which earned him a laugh from his cousin.
Meanwhile next to Ben's car was Kevin's. And Kevin and Gwen were talking about another thing entirely, "That Void Lock, Kevin, was the only thing we could have done to close the portal."
"But you just said right now that after that, you had nightmares for a week! Why can't you…I don't know," Kevin struggled to find reasoning as for why Gwen was not more upset after that day.
Gwen glanced at him, "Look, I get it."
"You do?"
"Why else you sometimes look out for me in battle? Even when I can clearly pull my own weight and cover you and Ben on missions."
Kevin groaned as he stopped at a red light. Ben's car stopped right beside his. Moments passed before the light turned green again and off they go. Kevin breathed in and out before speaking, "It's not that. It's not that at all. What is important is what I'm about to tell you."
Gwen looked at him and anticipated what he was going to say. And he said it, "I want to marry you. Seriously. I want to marry you one day, I want to build a home for us, and I want to start a business where you and I can live well. Not, like rich you know, but well."
He continued, "But with everything going on; the esoterics, the former EVA pilots, LMM, the Taiwan Incident, Max punished by esoterics, and tensions between Plumbers and esoterics now shown to us…I'm guessing those plans are gonna be on the backburner."
Gwen was surprised on what he was revealing. The depths of his sincerity and wanted to just reach over and embrace him, land multiple kisses across his face. But what he also said, brought her back to reality. It's true, many things were different now than what was just months ago.
"They will be…but it also means you can't take back what you just said," Gwen replied and he glanced at her quickly with a mild surprise. He also formed a smile he could barely contain.
"Well all right then!" Kevin exclaimed and Gwen giggled a bit.
Meanwhile with Ben and Kenneth, Kenneth voiced what was on his mind, "You know years ago when we thought we saw grandpa dying trying to stop the Highbreed?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"Why did you stop me from joining you guys?"
"Ken…"
"Seriously. I could have at least tried to do something back then."
"You couldn't."
"Why not?"
"Because you're not cut out for it…Sorry, but the last thing Gwen and I would have wanted was to put family in the crossfires of what was going on back then."
Kenneth groaned in his seat, "It sucks when most of my family can handle their own while I and our parents just look on helplessly."
"It's not all its cracked up to be. Believe me," Ben remarked and left it at that.
Great Appalachian Valley, US/Canadian Border
[Fort Antoine de Champlain, 7:59 AM]
In her cabin, Lizavetta D'Arnot was sitting across from Wilfredo in the parlor room. The two were silent. Wilfredo felt ashamed and embarrassed, while she was more relaxed but also critical. He just revealed to her about his romantic past in high school. Or rather his philandering phase of romantic pursuits from grade 9 to 11. As she relaxed in her seat and Wilfredo still tense, she finally spoke.
"Well-that's a lot."
"A lot? That's all you have to say?"
"Well, what else you want me to say?"
"I don't know! I've never been this open about that side of my past! Even with Cecilia, I have been too ashamed!"
Lizavetta now was curious, "Oh? And why is that? Is it because you don't want to shatter this illusion you have made for yourself? Were you trying to hide from who you are? If so, then you are a coward!"
Wilfredo was silent as he listened to her being upset with him. But more accurately, she was disappointed. He wasn't truthful and only until recently he came to terms with his past actions. Albeit, in private. He wanted to strike up the courage to admit past wrongs with those he cared for, especially the women he grew to love and respect. But he couldn't.
"And I'm working out on what I want. This past incident just hammered in the final nail, so to speak."
She listened in silence and waited for him to finish, "Which is why I'll be out of contact for a few months. More likely until winter."
"Why?"
"To train."
"Train?"
"Yes. I was recruited."
Lizavetta blinked and silently wanted him to continue, "I was approached by a man I once met in Portugal before the rogue business started. And since then, I've been in private contact with him. He saw in me someone he can help and after what happened, he appeared. I knew it was time."
"Have you relayed this to Cecilia?"
"The training portion. I was planning to tell her what I told you tonight before leaving."
"You should have told her first."
"I know."
"You should have told us of your past first before starting something with you."
"I know."
"Men-and yet you're one of the better ones."
"…"
Lizavetta was inwardly impressed to see he had not fallen for her linguistic trap. She stood up and approached him, "Wilfredo, look at me."
He looked up at her. He was impressed by her unreadable expression. But he also noticed it softened as she caressed his cheek, "You're a fine man to be. And I know you've worked hard to be a better person through your work and great deeds."
"However," he added, to which she responded.
"However, you do need to look inward. Far deeper than you have allowed yourself to."
He shook his head, "The last time I went that far-No! I can't."
"You can, and must. For your own sake."
"Why do you believe I can?"
Lizavetta answered with this, "Your faith. That's why."
"My faith."
"Yes, your faith. Your faith in The Master still shines in you. I can see it," she spoke with conviction.
He looked into her eyes and for a fraction of a second, can see her eye color change to have a green hue. But then she added, "So go, and train. When you return, we'll have this talk again, with Cecilia present. Agreed?"
He nodded in agreement. She ruffled his hair a bit, which caused him to grimace a bit. She smiled faintly. She helped him up, "Now, go and finish your shift for the week. Then I'll see you off."
"Right and-wait! A week's shift?"
"Absolutely. You need the travel money," she winked playfully and he groaned, "Fine!"
She smiled, as did he. They shared a small chuckle before he left her home. As he walked down the path back toward the settlement, he felt the heaviness inside lessen a bit. But he knew he would still have to reveal this to Cecilia, tonight.
"A week," he spoke out loud to no one, "Gonna have to send a letter stating I'll be a week late," he chuckled, "Damn you, you crazy woman."
As he walked down the path, he faintly caught the scent of roses and jasmine.
New York City, NY, USA
[Astoria, Queens]
The American members of Les Musiciens du Monde were in the borough walking around with their European colleagues. With them were Danny, Sam, Tucker, and Valerie as well. The recent events of the "Two Days of Darkness" filled their minds and weighed heavy on their hearts. But in the Moradi household, things were different.
"To cover everything so far, we would fly to Mozambique, take several charter planes to the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo), find a tributary that leads to the Nile River."
Mazhar, Mohammad's now grown son in his early twenties, spoke as he looked at the map on the coffee table.
Mohammad nodded, "Right. And from the Nile we would head into Egypt while bypassing Sudan. With the situation there still potentially dangerous, we would avoid there as much as we can."
"True, but Egypt is hardly better," Mazhar interjected, "And if we're lucky, we'd heading into the Sahara via the coast."
Mohammad groaned into his hands as he sat back in the plush leather sofa. Dania sat beside him with her hands on her lap, and Mazhar was sitting in the armchair beside the sofa. The family looked at the map and a burning question was there, with Mazhar only now mustering up the courage to ask, "Why are we going?"
Mohammad took his hands off his face to face his son, "A promise I've been meaning to keep since before you kids were born."
Dania put her hand on his shoulder. A gesture Mazhar knew from experience, meant this was serious. Perhaps more than the orchestra itself and it dawned on him, "Since the civil war in Lebanon?"
Mohammad silently nodded, "Yep. But now that Yasmin is married and on her honeymoon, and you busy, I figured perhaps this would be a chance to carry out a trip I wanted to do; traveling the African continent."
"And you think now is the best time? I mean-you guys just survived the incident from what, two weeks ago?"
Dania laughed a bit. So did Mohammad and Dania spoke to her son, "We are more than aware of what's going on. That fact is not lost on us, in particular your father and I."
"In addition," Mohammad spoke up, "There is one thing that has developed over the years which have kept many of us sane, and focused on our work."
Mazhar thought on what he was implying, and it dawned on him, "Faith."
His father nodded in agreement, "Faith."
OORT CLOUD, SOLAR SYSTEM
Vilgax was standing in front of the window that stared towards the distant star. His hands behind him as he stood, still as a statue. Then one of his lieutenants approached him, "Sir, the teams are ready."
"Release them. Let's see who are the planet's defenses. I'm sure Benjamin Tennyson would have gathered allies across that small planet of his."
"But the meeting we've had was…"
"It's a generalization. Nothing more. But still," he started and then continued, "If the information is accurate, this conquest will not be a stroll. So send in the boys."
The lieutenant bowed, "Yes, your eminence."
Vilgax smirked as he heard the diminishing footsteps of his second lieutenant. The alert lights came on to indicate the pods disembarking the ship and heading for the star system. Vilgax nodded to one of the operators and the call went out for the order.
"Forward!"
"Forward!"
"Forward!"
The massive ship began to move. It was now heading for the Sol System and as he trudged forward. The pods ahead were traveling at high speed via sub-warp drive; to pass the comets, the icy rock objects, the Kuiper Belt, the outer planets, the Asteroid Belt, and now passing Mars; all in the span of four hours. Earth was now in sight. They see the Moon, and then they see the massive mecha units in orbit, which they read up reports on from five years ago.
Despite its small size for them, the planet ahead was a beautiful blue marble: several landmasses, a dominating ocean, and several hundred satellites orbiting it. The shielding around the pods, and being in sub-warp space prevented the satellites from detecting them. Sure one or two detected gravitational anomalies, but no more. Perhaps a glitch in the software for the technicians on the planet's surface, but again, no more.
The pods when passing the satellites escaped sub-warp space. The ripples waved across the planet. They then landed on several spots across the major landmasses. North America, Greenland, South America, Africa, Australia, and Eurasia (Europe and Asia). The pods opened and out came soldiers that looked to be different aliens from what Ben or the Plumbers have fought usually on Earth.
One who looked to be a space-lion warrior with streamlined armor spoke on the ear intercom, "We have landed. We will begin to seek out the defenses of what the Plumbers have called: Esoterics."
After receiving orders, they moved out. And what would come next is what is to be considered for the coming years, 'The Longest Day'.
To be continued…
You may be wondering why the overall structure of the chapter is drastically different? It serves a purpose, I promise you. And sorry for the late update; like I said earlier, this is a massive undertaking.
Read, review, critique, and I'll see you soon.