GT: Well...Now that the fear is gone. I just realized we had a teaser for the next mini-arc. And before anyone complains about us just doing one episode from Omniverse...I'd like to point out that the events of OTTO Motives happened as they originally did. That and the episode after that? The Ultimate Heist AKA Albedo's debut. We are not ready for that yet for the story.
SZ: Yeah so trust us. We got something special in mind for that.
Z0: Plus...we kinda already introduced him with the Cabal, who will be coming in...soon.
GT: Yep. So don't worry.
Z0: Honestly we kinda want to make the team bigger, as some of those we met...aren't fully on the team 24-7.
GT: Or will rotate about, such as Jenny going off to Japan for a bit. So get ready for this. And if anyone blames us...IT WAS ALL Z0'S FAULT! *flees*
Z0: Blame Deflection *magic wall bounces the blame off and away into space* I've had this magic charm since Grade school...never failed me.
SZ:...Ahem! We own nothing aside from original content, so start us off Z0!
Z0: DAIGUNDER! *Robot lands in front of me* Dragon Canon! *aims and blasts the screen destroying it*
Max sighed as he called in his Main team. They all arrived as he told them this would be a rather important and delicate mission.
"Is everything okay, Magister?" Tsubaki was the first to ask.
"Well...it's not Bad...per say," Max sighed, "As you all know, I have...a good chunk of secrets and stories I have and haven't told."
"Wait. Is this gonna be one of those...secret family member type deals?" Makoto asked.
"Oh, don't be silly," Max waved off, "At least...not on my part." he admitted, "Can't say much about Great Grandpa Tennyson…"
"This is an awesome family…" Makoto smiled.
"Anyway...this particular case has to do with some old friends of mine." Max began, "As you know, alien refugees have come from far and wide to Earth. A good 20 years ago...a special alien came to Earth. He was the last of a powerful race of aliens who looked exactly like humans. From Planet Tachyon."
"Tachyon?" Jin repeated, "Like...the theoretical energy?"
"Exactly like it," Max nodded, "Their entire race can produce a Tachyon based energy, Tachyon Unlimited Radiant Bio-Optimized energy."
"T...U...R...B...O…" Makoto spelled out, "Turbo Energy!"
"We are not calling it that!" Jin snapped.
"Grandpa...is there a reason why you bring this up?" Ben asked.
"That Alien, Ja'em, I helped him get a life started here on Earth, and he helped the Plumbers. He actually used to have Kajun's job." Max smiled.
"My Predecessor?" Kajun blinked.
"He worked in secret out of a company he founded that helped support the Plumbers before we fully integrated with our Space brothers and sisters," Max went on, "I'm sure you've heard about the company, Kajun. N-Tek,"
"...?!" Kajun froze at that, "N-Tek? The company that performs research on renewable energy sources, environmental protection, and home security systems?"
"Yep." Max nodded.
"Does he need help?" Ben asked, changing the subject.
"..." Max shook his head, "No...sadly he's...no longer with us." he sighed, "A few years back, during an experiment using his...Turbo energy..."
"HA!" Makoto smirked at Jin.
"Something went wrong and it cost him his life as well as that of our friend Miles Dredd." Max went on silencing the room, "He was a good man...it's thanks to him we kept aliens like Vilgax away for so long, and many other threats."
"If he's...gone, then what is this about?" Jin asked as gently as he could out of respect for Max.
"Ja'em had a family here on Earth, a wife...and a son." Max explained.
"So...wait...that means his son...is half Alien." Ben realized.
"Recently, that boy...has begun showing signs of powers like his father according to his Mother." Max explained, "The problem is...he's only half alien. If he can even produce half the energy his father could, then he could produce enough energy to level a city...if not a state."
"You mean...he's a walking time bomb?!" Jin jumped out of his seat.
"So...bad…" Ben realized.
"It's not his fault...he just started realizing he has powers." Makoto added.
"Is that what this is about? You want us to find this boy and...bring him in?" Tsubaki asked.
"I have all of Ja'em's notes from his Turbo energy tests. I'm hoping Kajun and the Wonder twins can help make a device to drain and contain his Turbo energy," Max explained.
"I'm right on it, sir," Kajun instantly spoke, sitting up as she rushed off, "Blukic, Driba, we have a big project!"
"What about us?" Ben asked.
"I want you to find him, and bring him, politely, like people. He's not a criminal, but...he can't control his powers yet. And Turbo Energy has some...screwy effects on technology." Max muttered.
"Screwy how?" Makoto asked in concern.
"Well...if I'm right and he has as much energy as I think...if he touches any sort of technology...it will...explode" Max said slowly.
"A-any kind?" Noel asked, hugging Robotboy.
"Yes...any kind," Max sighed, "And your weapons from your time...they tread a weird line between science and magic, right?" he looked at Noel and Jin.
"Well I wouldn't say weird…" Noel muttered.
"I would," Jin replied, "It's very strange, Magister."
"So...no tech touchy...how do we bring him here then, wouldn't he blow up a ship?" Ben asked.
"Not unless we took a cross country road trip in a muscle car he can't overload!" Makoto offered.
"No…" Tsubaki replied.
"Why not?" Makoto complained.
"Cause you just want to jump the grand canyon in one since you watched that movie…" Tsubaki replied.
"Oh now don't worry. We have a Plumber compound in his current town of residence. It's under N-Tek itself. This does mean…"
"We have to bring Kajun with us…" Makoto, Tsubaki, Mai, and Noel sighed in unison.
"Magister...permission to take a personal day?" Jin asked.
"I'll allow you to stay here at home base, Jin. I need someone to help scare the rabble back down towards Ragna," Max explained, "The rest of you will head to this location in Copper Canyon, California."
"Yes, sir," They nodded.
"Oh...one more thing…" Max spoke, "He...doesn't know he's half alien…" he chuckled, as he gave them a file with his data.
"Maxwell McGrath?" Tsubaki read his name as it showed the picture of a handsome young man with brown hair, and blue eyes.
The city of Copper Canyon wasn't by any means a big city, but it was modern and littered with mostly tall buildings of business and apartments. Close to the beach and the expanses of the American west deserts, it was the center for two of the nation's biggest tech companies: N-Tek...and Trans Human Industries, or THI for short. One known for their efforts to handle Earth's greatest problems. The other...a simple but huge tech company focused on profits.
Within the labs of THI, the scientists were buzzing around as a powerful surge of energy went off on their equipment. Turbo energy.
"Mr. Naught, sir!" a man clad in a black suit shouted getting the attention of another man in the same attire, save for the red tie, and his glowing orange eyes, "We have detected a huge spike in Turbo energy!"
"That's impossible. There is no Turbo energy on this planet," he spoke, running a hand through his hair as he walked over, this man was Jason Naught, the current CEO of THI, "Except for the Boss, and he's almost toast."
"Look, the largest Turbo Surge ever recorded in this city!" he spoke pointing to the screen as Jason pushed him aside to see for himself, making his eyes go wide.
"Well don't just stand there jabbering!" Jason complained, "Sound the alarms! Release the hounds! Do whatever it is you do! But bring me that source of Turbo energy!" with that Jason walked away leaving his panicked technician to go and do whatever it is that he does.
Jason made his way to his desk before pushing a button as his seat was dragged down, into a secret little room with one purpose, a screen lit up before him as an annoyed groan came from the other end of the video call. Standing there was a man clad in an all black suit, the lower half of his face covered by a mask from which looped over his nose like a breathing mask. Scars could be seen on his face, as his eyes were a dull red, his hair slicked and spiked back.
"Sir, I have splendid news!" Jason spoke in a happy tone.
=News...Unless you are here to tell me you've captured an Ultralink, or any piece of alien technology capable of providing me with Turbo energy, I doubt it at all matters Naught= he spoke in an annoyed tone.
"That's just the thing, our instruments just detected a huge source of Turbo Energy...right here...in Copper Canyon," he smiled as the man's eyes widened slightly.
=Mr. Naught...suspend all activity related to alien technology...and focus all resources on capturing that source of energy immediately before N-Tek and the Plumbers make their own moves upon it= the man spoke in a much happier tone =We are going to hunt it down before them...and I know just the Hunter for the job= he cupped his chin.
"And on the off chance Plumbers are in the area?" Mr. Naught asked.
=Taken care of= he replied.
With that, the video ended as Naught just shrugged, feeling he'd done his part, saved his job, and quite possibly his life as well. He decided to just sit back and let the actual Boss handle the technicalities.
The man in black turned away from a screen before walking over to a hologram console and typing in a signal. After a while, two different Holograms formed. The first of Forever of the Forever Knights, and the other was a large single eyed alien with a body made of cracked stone and covered in flames.
=Dredd...to what do I owe the pleasure?= Forever asked.
=You humans again...I warned you what would happen if you contacted us!= The alien growled at the human now named Dredd.
"Yes yes, hurting, baking, maiming, I remember!" Dredd complained, not at all threatened by the monster, "I have a target that will be mutually beneficial to the both of us, Elementor." the alien growled and lowered his threatening pointing finger to listen, "And likewise, my good Forever Knight, a target of your own."
=Tennyson?= Forever blinked =Well...you had my interest, Dredd...but now...you have my attention=
"I'd hoped I would," Dredd smiled behind his mask.
=I'm...listening= Elementor leaned in close.
"So...we have to save a guy from his own powers making him explode…" Makoto listed as they sat in the ship, still in the middle of its flight across the country, "But he's just learning he has power, oh...and doesn't know it's cause he's half alien...and his dad was the alien...and we can't tell him he's an alien…"
"Where is the complaint?" Ben asked.
"That's it...I am just stating facts. This...is a weird one," Makoto explained.
"Well it's not exactly our right to tell him he's part alien. That should be a talk he has with his mother," Noel countered.
"True," Tsubaki nodded, "But first, we need Kajun to invent something that can contain this Turbo energy."
"I'm working as best I can...a ship's cramped seat does not equate to my desk back at base," Kajun complained, her lap spilling with metal and wires and a laptop, "I need much more room to get creative."
"Any idea when he's gonna you know...Boom?" Ben asked.
"Sadly no…" Tsubaki sighed, "Magister says Turbo energy is near impossible to understand or predict. Since it is tied to his biology, it could be linked with his emotions."
"Oh great...A teenager with the power to become a super bomb...and his emotions might be the trigger…" Makoto complained.
"There's the complaint," Ben smiled, "Though...I think I could use Feedback to help with at least delaying it until Kajun can make it."
"I will turn you all into hamsters if I have a mental break from this," Kajun stated.
"Maybe that could work...but remember what Magister said," Tsubaki spoke, pointing to the Omnitrix, "Feedback might be able to handle the energy, but..."
"But...we can't be sure if the Omntirix won't...freak out," Ben realized.
"Let's leave Feedback as our last resort just as to not risk it," Tsubaki spoke.
"It has to be possible to contain the Turbo energy or expend it," Kajun added, "Otherwise how could this Tachyon race have existed as long as it did? Surely a machine that could help this Maxwell McGrath exists...but I need to build one...from scratch, with very little to go on 'till I can get my hands on his Father's work." her eye began to twitch, "Rrrr…"
"..." Noel tried to discreetly scoot as far away from Kajun as she could.
"Alright look, we're about to drop you off at this N-Tek Plumber facility, so you can go nuts on this Turbo lab, and we will track down a half-alien boy who's probably freaking out at the fact he has super powers," Ben spoke.
"Either that or loving every minute of it…" Makoto countered.
Meanwhile, in Copper Canyon High School...
"You're dead. McGrath!"
"Whoa boy!" Maxwell McGrath panicked as he ran from the school bullies, "Come on, guys! It's called being funny! You should try it sometime!" he laughed, ducking out of the way of the two scrawny minions, before spinning around the big one who was their leader, "Okay...let's just say it wasn't funny...and move on!" he laughed, running away and towards the exit.
"Get him!" the big one shouted while slapping his two goons, making them scramble after Maxwell.
"Oh thank god this place is decent…" said boy spoke, taking his bike which he didn't chain up, "Running!" he spoke, hopping on and pedaling away as fast as he could, "Good going, Max...first day and already you got the school Bully and his goons chasing you…" he spoke to himself as he rode his way, not even noticing his speeding past cars, he then blinked as blue energy began leaking from his hands, "Oh no….not again, not now!" he spoke as the energy began leaking from his eyes, his legs pedaling harder and faster, to the point he was outspeeding the cars on the street until they looked like blurs.
He kept going until he was forced to stop...by crashing into a moving truck. His bike mangled to the point it was totally useless, and a giant hole ripped in the side of the cargo area of the truck. Only Max stood up...perfectly fine, even his clothing was intact. He looked around and sighed in relief that no one's personal belongings were currently loaded in the vehicle. He then looked up as the bullies finally were able to catch up.
"Super powers...don't fail me now…" he chuckled, kicking the door open and jumping out.
"What's that?" Ben blinked as Tsubaki's tablet began pinging.
"Magister says it's a scanner for high concentrations of Turbo energy…they aren't as big as the one he said was detected yesterday," she explained as a realization then came to her, "He must be using his powers."
"For what?" Mai blinked.
"Whoa!" Max shouted, clearing a chain link fence in a single large jump before landing on his feet. He looked back as the lead bully was so dumbfounded by this feat he crashed right into the fence, "Later Butch!" he cheered, jogging off before jumping once again and landing on top of a building.
Max sighed as he walked forward a bit before stopping and looking at his hand as the blue energy continued to leak out. On the one hand...he now had Super powers, and that was awesome. But how, and why? Where did these powers come from? What did it mean for him? And all those other angsty questions he thought but really didn't want to say out loud due to self respect.
"Just what is happening to me?" Max pondered before grunting as the blue energy formed on his arms, "Gah! Okay, not...not good…" he grunted as more energy poured out of him before he let out a cry and it pushed out, tearing apart the rooftop he was on before he collapsed, "Ugh…"
"Alright, we have arrived," Rook informed, slowing the Proto-TRUKK to a halt before a modest-sized building just a mile outside of the city.
"Just remain calm, Kajun...remain calm and collected," Kajun whispered to herself as they stepped out.
"...She's going to lose her calm and collect the moment she sees what's in the base under this place, isn't she?" Ben asked.
"Heh. No betting on that," Makoto agreed.
"Oh shut it, you two," Kajun huffed as they began to approach the building.
"Just remember to behave," Tsubaki advised, "..That goes for you too, Ben...Makoto."
"Ahh come on, Tsubaki. It's us," the two assured.
"I know...that's what I'm worried about," Tsubaki pointed out simply.
"Hey~" both whined.
"I kid...but I am serious about behaving," Tsubaki stated, "That also goes double for you, Kajun."
"I am making sure to remain completely calm," Kajun assured as they stepped up to the front entrance.
"...Choice of place for our next dinner date if she faints," Makoto whispered to Ben.
"Sounds like a loaded bet...but I can't say no to you." Ben smiled.
"Oh you…" Makoto rolled her eyes with a light giggle.
"So sweet," Noel smiled.
"Ahem. Focus," Tsubaki reminded as she walked up to a console near the door, holding her badge up as the camera above the screen began to scan it.
=Plumber Agent recognized. Voice recognition needed=
"Tsubaki Yayoi, special field leader and second in command of the Bellwood Plumbers Branch," Tsubaki answered.
=Approved. You may enter=
"Great, now where do…" Ben began before the ground under them began sliding down, "Okay...this...is impressive." he chuckled as the trap door replaced itself with an exact copy of the flooring that was lowered down.
"Of course. It's N-TEK afterall," Kajun stated
"I dig the green neon…" Makoto spoke before they all blinked as they were exiting the tunnel and found themselves floating down into a massive underground compound built into a huge subterranean cave.
White metal buildings built into the rocks and walls of the cave. With Green lights and what looked like roads of green solid light. They saw all the current models of Plumber vehicles, as well as what they assumed to be the next generation of Plumber vehicles, such as tanks, air ships, and motorcycles.
"Aha...are those...super bikes?" Makoto asked, staring at the Motorcycle prototype that seemed to be in the middle of having a weapon system equipped.
"This is...amazing." Rook spoke, "It is all of the newest technology, not even our own home base has vehicles this...amazing!"
"Oh no he's in car maniac mode…" Noel sighed.
"Anyone check on Kajun yet to see if she's breathing?" Ben asked.
"Remain calm, Kajun...remain...calm."
"...she visibly shaking in excitement," Mai muttered before she an Noel grabbed onto her...before they began to shake as well, "Ahh!"
"That's not shaking...it's super speed vibration…" Makoto muttered, "Kajun...girl...calm down. We need you to focus...on making a machine to help that Max kid."
"...right right...focus...focus…" Kajun whispered as she tried to calm down, Mai and Noel letting go as they still shook a bit for a few moments.
"That was freaky…" Mai muttered, "Worst than the time Noel accidently gave Makoto an energy drink."
"I thought it was juice…" Noel muttered, meekly poking her two index fingers together.
"I don't remember that day all too well…" Makoto admitted, "But wait. I drink energy drinks all the time…"
"Eh….we change the labels, we actually get you sugar free." Tsubaki admitted.
"My life is a lie…" Makoto spoke with a look of shock and betrayal.
"There there…" Ben patted her shoulder in comfort.
"Well now...Magister Tennyson said he was sending some help, but I wasn't expecting he'd send Ben 10 of all folks."
"?" The group blinked as they looked forward, seeing someone approach them.
It was a man with slicked back black hair, he was tall and broad with a very muscular and imposing build, he wore a suit that looked like the Proto Armor colored in dull aqua-green, only his chest piece had a large gash across it, his sleeves rolled up with brown fingerless gloves covering his hands, with a matching military pouch belt around his waist. His armor was also bulkier around his shoulders, chest and his boots.
"Man he talks about you a lot...but gotta say...I pictured you'd be taller." he chuckled.
"Ahaha…" Ben laughed forcibly, "Why does everyone say that?" he turned to Makoto.
"Mix of the internet and assumptions?" Makoto guessed with a shrug.
"Your…" Tsubaki began.
"Forge Ferrus." he introduced, "I'm the one Magister Tennyson left in charge here. Now...you kids are here to help me with finding and saving my Nephew?"
"Yes sir," Tsubaki nodded, "One of my friends here might be able to create something to keep his powers in check once we find him."
"Oh?"
"Ahem. M-me sir," Kajun spoke up nervously as she stepped forward, "Kajun Faycott, head of Research and Development over at the Bellwood Plumbers branch."
"Let me guess, an amazing genius who often talks nonsense people don't fully understand, yet always saves the day?" Forge asked.
"That about sums her up." Makoto spoke.
"Ah...has this weird...Nerd Mode?" Forge asked.
"We technically call it Science Mode," Mai answered with a sheepish chuckle.
"Alright...then that means she's perfect for the job." Forge laughed, "Get to work kid...the lab, the resources, our own nerds. All yours to command."
Before anyone could blink, Kajun suddenly vanished, a small dust cloud in the shape of her in her place before it dispersed.
"...You really made her day, Forge-san," Noel whispered.
"From my experience...Nerds are better left in the lab to make something useful." Forge explained, "Otherwise they get all antsy and annoying…" he explained, "Sides sooner we fix something up to contain Max's Turbo Energy, the sooner we can stop worrying of a big boom."
"So...you know Max and his dad?" Ben asked.
"Me and my sister were Plumber hopefuls back when Jim...ah that's his Earth name, James McGrath." Forge explained, "We worked together with Magister Tennyson for years, fighting aliens, hunting monsters, and getting into general mayhem and misadventure."
"Sounds like us…" Ben and Makoto muttered.
"Molly and Jim settled down...and had Max." Forge went on, "But Jim...he wanted to keep working towards something to help protect this world, for his son...and all the other kids who we Plumbers cared about. His experiment would have kept the likes of Vilgax, the Incurseans, and lots of other scum of the universe out of our hair. But...something...went wrong." he stopped at a case which they found Kajun examining, "That...is the only remains of the project…" he pointed to the orb inside, it was surrounded by three looping pieces of white and grey metal, with a majority of the pod being made of hexagonal scales.
"Amazing…" Kajun spoke, "What is it?"
"At the moment...nothing." Forge sighed.
"Nothing?"
"Only Jim really knew what to do with it. It's broken since the accident, totally inactive." Forge spoke, "I keep it...as a reminder of the good old days."
"I see…" Kajun noted, "Well...it might still be a clue for what I need to do." she explained, "So I guess I'll come back for you later." she whispered to the case.
"Stop flirting with technology…" Makoto groaned.
"I wasn't...it was a promise." Kajun countered as they all walked off, no one seeing the device light up with a blue glow.
"We seriously need to get you someone," Ben and Makoto muttered.
"I don't know what you mean." Kajun countered.
"Ah save it...Nerds find their own way on their own," Forge spoke.
"True...then again, Kajun has some pretty high standards," Makoto shrugged
"I heard that…" Kajun deadpanned.
"I see the energy is spiking more and more each time he uses his abilities." Kajun looked over the computer, "It's possible there is no limit to how much he can create...but is limited in how much he can safely contain."
"So if he expels it out before reaching this limit?" Mai asked.
"Yes, in theory that would stabilize him."
"And if it doesn't?" Noel asked.
"...Boom," Kajun replied in a simple tone
"That...that's very Morbid…" Makoto replied.
"Its fact." Kajun argued, "His father's machine seems to have needed to use a large abundance of Turbo energy, if we had that maybe...but as I fear it is destroyed. So I need to make something more viable."
"Can you even make something like that?" Tsubaki asked, "This sounds like science we'd ask Azmuth to help make."
"But I doubt he'd help short notice…" Ben spoke off to the side so as to not touch anything per Kajun's orders.
"Well N-Tek has been working on a chamber to do such a thing, but...from my examination...it wouldn't be able to hold all of Max's energy going off the readings."
"So...what's your plan?" Tsubaki asked.
"At the moment I am tinkering with the idea of a device that can suck up his energy, and use it to power itself, creating an endless loop, so one needs the other." she explained, "But...finding or making the materials for such a device...would take some high level tech."
"...And I'm gonna assume you want us to find that high level tech, right?" Makoto asked.
"If you know where to find it…" Kajun replied, "You don't think if I did I wouldn't have sent you off already?"
"..."
"...I thought so."
"...Kajun's really gotten snippy since we got here," Noel whispered.
"Maybe we are putting too much pressure on her to find a solution?" Makoto offered.
"Maybe. I mean back home she had Blukic and Driba to deal with. Here? It's entirely different tech," Ben muttered.
"Maybe she also wants to prove herself, when she heard that this is the unresolved work of her predecessor," Mai guessed.
"...Maybe once this is over, we can give her some well deserved time off," Rook suggested.
"If she takes it." Tsubaki sighed.
"You know I can hear you, right?" Kajun spoke, making them tense, "I am fine...I just...need to focus on this...I might need some coffee to help me stay awake if this ends up being an all-nighter."
"...Now she's starting to remind me of Kokonoe," Makoto muttered.
"What does she normally act like?" Ben asked.
"Moody, really snippy, acts like the smartest person in the universe, and rarely goes to sleep if there's a big project...and she tends to have a lot."
"I'm not saying I'm smartest in the universe...I fully accept that role belongs to Azmuth." Kajun pouted, "And I like sleep, but this is a little more important than sleep...only a little...by say a few numbers…"
"...Maybe one or two of us should find this Max if it helps her with her research," Mai whispered to the others.
"Sure...find the super powered kid who's either freaking out or having the time of his life." Makoto shrugged.
"Which is why you and Ben will be searching for him," Tsubaki stated.
"Huh?!"
"You were once in his position, Ben...finding out about powers new to you via the Omnitrix and don't know what it fully do with them," Tsubaki explained
"Sides you're famous...I bet he'll listen to you." Makoto added, "But wait...why am I going?"
"Emotional support and back-up."
"Oh…"
"Back up?" Ben asked.
"Well I wouldn't suggest actually touching him Ben...that is if you like having two hands." Kajun explained, motioning to the Omnitrix, "Who knows if the Omnitrix can even absorb Turbo Energy, let alone if you have his father's race within it."
"Oh...fair I guess," Ben muttered, "...Well, might as well head out to go find him. Let's go, babe."
"Hai," Makoto nodded as the two walked out.
"Truly, I need a coffee…" Kajun sighed.
"Espresso alright?" A voice asked beside her.
"Yes," Kajun replied before a cup was handed to her, "Thank you."
"You are quite welcome," an orange robot with blue optics, pincer hands, and wheels for legs/feet replied.
"Whoa," Mai blinked twice.
"This is Fixit. A Mini-Con from Cybertron. He joined a few months ago and has helped Berto in a lot of projects," Forge explained.
"Mini-con?" Noel repeated, "The Transformers who are...human size?"
"In a sense, yes," Fixit answered, "I came to Earth to learn more about it and...well…"
"...Sentinel Magnus?" Tsubaki guessed.
"The fact he took credit for Optimus' assistance in the Incursean War rather irked me," Fixit huffed, "When I arrived on Earth, I met Berto and...well, we hit it off rather well if I used that Earth term correctly."
"It is…" Kajun nodded as she took a sip, "Ooh...really good. Thank you, Fixit."
"Good idea on Jetray," Makoto noted, riding the Aerophibian's back as he soared into town, "It'll help make searching for Max faster."
"Yup! Now to figure out where he could be," Jetray answered as they looked around, "Question is..where to search first?"
"Maybe the local highschool?" Makoto suggested, "I mean...surely someone there saw him."
"Where is he…?" the two looked ahead to see the school bully and his goons looking around, "I know that punk is around here somewhere…"
"Just got powers and he's already messing with the school bully...oh he is gonna make a good friend." Jetray laughed.
"Hope he knows some good puns," Makoto added with a giggle, "...Wanna mess with them to see if we can get his last known location?"
"Stop reading my mind…" Jetray smiled.
"Cool. Let's see if we can get their memory jogging," Makoto smirked as Jetray landed, letting her hop off as she approached the three, "Hey, boys."
"Hmm?" the bully and his two thugs looked over to see her approach.
"You wouldn't mind helping a gal with something, would you~?" Makoto asked in a teasing tone.
"...Don't know…" the lead bully grinned, looking up and down her body a bit, "Think you can provide us with something in turn?"
"Yeah, sexy..." one of his goons added.
"Probably show you a good time compared to whatever loser you're with," the other grinned.
"..." Makoto said nothing, giving a small smile as she grabbed the other two bully's heads...before slamming them against the lead one's head as the other two fell over.
"Ow! Why you little…?!"
"Okay first off: I am not that type of girl thank you very much," Makoto stated, using a finger to stop him from trying to grab her before she grabbed him and lifted him up over her head, "Second off: my boyfriend is no loser and doesn't see me as a trophy or sex object."
"I don't even have to get jealous...she's literally the perfect woman," Jetray sighed happily.
"So here's what's gonna happen, 'sweetie'," Makoto said as she looked at the lead bully dead in the eyes, "You're gonna tell me where you last saw Max Mcgrath, or else I'm gonna send you flying clear across town, which...hmm...telling by your physic, might end up breaking your football record for longest throw."
"I swear I don't know where the freak went! He just...Jumped...and flew off!" he panicked.
"So...he has super strength now." Jetray noted.
"Before that he was running like a god damn cheetah!"
"And super speed…" Makoto chimed in.
"After that..I-I don't know! Maybe he's in the abandoned warehouse distract or something! Just...please let me go!"
"Hmmm…" Makoto thought about that.
"Babe…" Jetray sighed.
"Oh come on…"
"Mmm…" he countered crossing his arms.
"Oh fine…" she sighed as she thumped his head, making him pass out as she dropped them, "Spoilsport…"
"Didn't you hear what he said? Max has all those powers. He could have floored them almost as good as you." he spoke, "But he didn't, he just ran. He doesn't want to hurt anyone, he's a good dude. Let's focus on helping him...over beating these losers."
"You're lucky I love you when you make sense." Makoto spoke, jumping on his back.
"Well I love you all the time, so I win." he chuckled, flying up.
"Oh you…" Makoto chuckled.
"...Okay...everything seems to be clear…" Max muttered, peeking outside of a warehouse he was in, "No school bullies in sight, no weird energy leaking from my skin. So...no problems right?" he asked jumping out of the window and landing with no discomfort, "Okay some problems...awesome problems...but still problems." he looked at his hands, "Oh...how do I tell mom about super powers...wait...why...why would I do that? She'd ground me to my room till my grandkids have grandkids."
"I think I heard something this way."
"?!" Max tensed as he quickly hid behind some crates, peeking out a bit as he saw Jetray and Makoto land, "...the heck?"
"I swore I heard someone over here," Makoto muttered as she hopped off Jetray's back, "And I know they didn't sound like rats squeaking."
"It was one time…" Jetray spoke flashing back to Ben, "No one meant anything by it."
'...is that Ben Tennyson?' Max thought, blinking a bit in surprise, 'What's he doing all the way out here?'
"It means something when no one will let it go." Makoto huffed.
"Can we focus…" Ben sighed.
"I can focus and be pouty…" Makoto huffed.
"...Know what? Fine. I did find a store that had chestnut parfaits made...but forget it."
"Hah?!" Makoto gawked at that, "I..you...mmm~! No fair~!"
"Then focus and help me look around," Ben smirked.
"...Fine…" Makoto muttered...before smirking a bit, "But after this mission since you found a store that has my fave dessert...I got something special for you~"
"...Is it that cheerleader outfit you tend to tease me with?"
"Better...my old combat outfit~"
"Stop lying…" Ben spoke in disbelief.
"I'm not. I actually managed to snatch it back from Tsubaki while she wasn't looking and I have it hidden in a spot she doesn't know about," Makoto grinned, "So now you'll finally get the chance to see this…" she motioned to her body as she posed a little in a flirtatious manner, "In all of its curvaceous glory~"
"..." Ben said nothing as his imagination was getting the best of him. Before he could say anything.
"Okay! That's it! You found me...just...please...stop flirting!" Max spoke walking out, making them both jump in shock, "Just...please...it's so sweet it's making me go into diabetic shock…"
"...Well that was fast…" Makoto muttered.
"Yeah...and we didn't need to focus either," Ben added.
"Dude, I don't think you even can focus right now," Max argued, "...but seriously though, why are you here?...I'm not in trouble am I? Cause I swear...I didn't mean to blow up that warehouse..."
"AHA! I told you we should have checked the one with the caved in roof!" Makoto snapped at Ben.
"I thought it was storm damage!" Ben argued back.
"What storm can cause damage that big?!...And don't suggest those Weatherbots that somehow come back everytime we wreck their bodies."
"Well…"
"Ahem!" Max cleared his throat, getting their attention, "Just...please answer before you suddenly go back to arguing/possibly flirting...am I or am I not in trouble?"
"Oh...nope," the two replied.
"In fact we're kinda here to help you," Ben added.
"Huh? Help me?" Max blinked.
"It's...kinda complicated...but the short bit is...you got super powers, and you could maybe...discharge it...as a big boom." Ben said slowly.
"I'm gonna explode?!" Max panicked.
Makoto slapped Ben upside the head, "What part of his emotions affect his powers do you not get?!"
"Sorry...was trying to be blunt," Ben muttered, rubbing the back of his head.
"You could've put it more gentle," Makoto stated before looking at Max, "But worry not. A good friend of ours is making something to help keep your powers in check."
"Really?" Max blinked.
"Yup. Heck if used right, you might end up being a hero like us."
"Really?! That…" Max began before the energy returned, "Oh not again!"
"...What was that about not getting him too emotional?" Ben deadpanned.
"...eh heh...oops?" Makoto sheepishly chuckled.
"Uh...I'm gonna...get some distance…" Max spoke jumping and breaking through a window.
Makoto and Ben moved to follow before flinching as a blue shockwave demolished the building...and knocked them over.
"...Ow…." the two groaned, Ben unaware his Omnitrix flashing for a moment.
"That...was unpleasant…" Ben muttered as he sat up...before he felt his hand grabbing onto something.
"Ahn~"
"...please tell me that was a pillow just now…" Ben whispered as he slowly looked to the side...and saw his hand on one of Makoto's breasts, "..."
"You know we're in public right? Show some restraint~" Makoto teased.
"Gh?!" Ben tensed as he moved his hand away, a faint blush on his cheek, "I swear that was an accident, babe."
"Yeah...an 'accident'...much like that one time at the gym when you tripped onto my girls," Makoto grinned.
"I swear on my alien watch it was!" he argued in a bit of a panicked tone, "Besides...you're one to talk miss 'Oops~ I tripped too'."
"Maybe I…"
"Ah!" Max shouted, making them return to their senses as he surfaced from the rubble, his shirt tattered to shreds, "I'm alive! How...oh...superpowers are awesome...sometimes…"
"Amen to that," Ben and Makoto muttered.
"Maybe...no no. That wouldn't work…" Kajun muttered, currently tinkering away at something, "No...the power output would melt away from too much storage...no...mmm...come on, Kajun...think…"
"Maybe if you had a sample, it could provide some assistance," Fixit suggested.
"Maybe...but I would also need Maxwell if I'm to properly get a sample," Kajun sighed, "And he's not here….ugh...I…"
"Ben and Makoto found him," Mai spoke, holding her badge up.
"YES!" Kajun exclaimed, earning looks before she calmed down and cleared her throat, "Ahem...well that's good then. Nice job Benjamin, Makoto."
=Please don't call me that…= Ben muttered from Mai's badge.
=Yeah. Only his mom can call him that= Makoto added
"At times it feels like I'm the only adult though." Kajun argued.
=Hey I act my age, thank you very much= Ben argued.
"...L-look. Just please bring Maxwell so I can get a better grasp of what i'm able to work with?" Kajun asked.
=Did she call me Maxwell?= Max asked
=She likes to think she's team mom= Makoto sighed =So she uses our full names, it's annoying but she means well=
"I do," Kajun nodded, "Now please hurry before something happens."
=You mean like the guys who possibly missed a reinfair nearby?= Max asked.
=Oh no…=
"Hi Ben…" Forever spoke, looking down at them from on top of a pile of crates as his knights stood ready nearby, "It's been a while," he laughed as his visor lit up.
"Ah geez you guys…" Ben groaned as Makoto had her tonfa out, cautiously looking around while the two stood before Max, "...He's not with you is he?"
"If you mean my head of research and development. Then no...I know best to keep my nerd in his lab where he's the most useful." Forever laughed, "So don't worry...no panic attack for your lady friend."
"Oh thank god…" Makoto sighed in relief, "One revisiting mental trauma is enough…"
"Yes...I heard your trip to Japan was...a big old mess." Forever chuckled, "I thought of looking into that school to...but then I realized...they'd all be useless anyway. What good is someone who masters one talent to the point of absurdity?"
"Hey hey! Nobody mocks my former fellow classmates!" Makoto snapped.
"I'm just saying...if it was up to me...I'd look into what they did to upload talents into one person. Now that might be worth something...ah...too bad they're dead." he sighed before forming a shield as he blocked Makoto's punch, "Shame...so many you all failed to save, even if they were assholes...isn't it the hero's job to save even the bad ones?"
"I do….I also know there are those who can't be redeemed or saved," Ben countered with a frown.
"Oh how dramatic Ben...I am almost impressed by your answer." he pushed Makoto back before jumping down to the ground facing Ben, "But...I'm taking the kid. That energy he's leaking is gonna serve a friend of mine much better then it'll serve you Plumbers."
"...Yeah how about no?" Ben countered, instantly activating the Omnitrix, "Max...stay back.".
"How cold Ben...I'm only trying to save a life." Forever spoke, making Ben pause.
"...Explain," Makoto demanded.
"Hehehe...so you are going to listen? True story, my business partner sort of needs that energy the kid's leaking...to stay alive. Go figure...he feeds off Turbo energy. And up till now, no one had any. So...if you take him...my friend dies. And knowing you...you would be able to live with that now will you?" he spoke, "After all...you talk about doing something dark...but when the moment comes Ben...you still are the Hero."
"...Tch…" Ben gritted his teeth. He wanted to argue...but he couldn't. Those words seemed to hit him hard.
"...Don't listen Ben. He's trying to get under your skin," Makoto spoke, "For all we know, he has some hidden agenda."
"True…" Forever laughed, "I am trying to get a rise...but...I'm not lying when I say someone will die." he spoke in a much more serious tone then before, "I mean it...as it stands someone is dying of starvation, so...what's it gonna be?"
"I…" Ben tried to speak.
"Hey!" Max spoke walking past Ben and Makoto, "You want me right?"
"My...the brass on this one…" Forever chuckled, "So what's it gonna be wonder kid…"
"I...am calling you on your bluff." Max replied.
"Scuse me?" Forever tilted his head.
"Hey I don't know what this stuff coming out of me is...I'm actually scared it's radioactive. So anything that might need that to live...isn't sounding like a good thing. Let alone for my health." Max argued, "Plus...you just scream bad guy...so even if you are being honest. Which I get the scary feeling you are...chances are you're probably gonna do something messed up to me after your buddy is saved right?"
"Crap...he's Genre savvy…" Forever sighed.
"And to that I say...Run away!" Max freaked.
"Wait…" Forever realized as Max was already speeding off down the road, "Blast!"
"That's it…" Makoto gasped, "Ben...this guy knows everything about you...literally to stalker levels...but he doesn't know Max! Don't you get it...he can't handle the unpredictable!" she shook her boyfriend back to his senses.
"...that's right. He doesn't know anything about Max…" Ben whispered before smirking at Forever, "Nice try, but you can't get to me."
"So you figured out that much...well I really didn't want to fight...hehehe...couldn't say it with a straight face. I mostly came here to kick your butt all around the west coast."
"Yea...well I like to see you try," Ben grinned, swiping his finger on the Omnitrix before pressing down on it, engulfing him in flash of green light.
"Heh heh. You guys a-" Makoto began as the flash died down, making her blink when she noticed what Ben turned into, "...that's new."
"What's...whoa!? What the heck am I?" Ben asked as he looked himself over. His new alien form was made of humanoid blue electric energy, with stone armor covering his torso, shoulders, legs like boots and on the back of his arms. His head was a stone helmet with a mouth and green eyes, "This...is trippy...I'm like...made of rocks...and electricity!"
"...Shock Rock!" Makoto and Ben's new form exclaimed.
"That's it...Shock Rock!" Shock Rock declared happily, "Now uh...what the heck does it do?" he arched his stone eyebrow.
"Oh! Maybe you can fire electricity from your fingers!" Makoto gasped, "Or maybe you can use magnetism to control and magnify rocks!"
"Oh that be so cool, come on earth bending!" he held his arms out, only for nothing to happen as he performed several different poses and hand signs, "...I don't think it's earth manipulation…"
"Aw man…" Makoto pouted, "...Maybe try touching the ground?"
"No don't!" Forever shouted.
"...He sounded scared," Shock Rock blinked with Makoto.
"...This guy's species must be crazy strong if he got that big of a reaction from him," Makoto guessed, poking at Shock Rock a bit.
"Yeah...but bad timing to get a new guy." he added, "Normally when I get someone new, I have time to goof around with his powers."
"The hole in the ceiling is proof of last time." Makoto added. She then flinched as Shock Rock jumped in the way of a laser blast...only for the energy to absorb into his arm, "Did...you just eat that? Literally?"
"So...something something...energy?" he asked Makoto, who shrugged in response, "We'll figure this out," he shrugged as he aimed his hand and fired a blue electric beam at Forever making him jump away, "I could get really used to this!"
"Blast...he's starting to learn…" Forever growled as he dodged another laser, "Knights, fall back!"
"AH! He is afraid of this form!" Makoto realized.
"Let's let the beast handle Tennyson…" Forever spoke as he jumped into the air, his boots igniting with jets of heat as he flew off.
"Did he just say Beast?" Shock Rock asked.
"...he better not be referring to me," Makoto frowned as the rest of the Forever Knights ran off, she then flinched as she felt the temperature begin to rise, "Uh...is it getting hot?"
"Are you fishing for a compliment?" Shock Rock asked simply.
"No..I mean it is literally hot…" Makoto answered, panting a bit as she pulled on the collar of her Proto-Armor, "Seriously, I'm starting to sweat here!"
"No offense but I'm glad I lack sweat glands as an alien of energy and minerals." Shock Rock spoke.
"Well lucky...you?" she blinked as the ground began to glow red and warp, "...Ben..I think I know what's causing this sudden heat wave."
"Really?"
"Yeah...you! Your new alien is heating the area up!"
"No…" a voice made them blink, the ground suddenly burst open as the flaming monster rose up, "That would be...me!"
"Ahh! The heck?!" the two exclaimed as they jumped back from the flames.
"You two...are making my day...really...really...difficult…" the monster known as Elementor spoke as he stood before them, "Nothing disgusts me more...then humans and Fulmini…"
"Ful what?!" Shock Rock asked.
"Your alien...and I don't think this guy likes you…" Makoto spoke.
"And the mutant gets it correct."
"MUTANT?!" Makoto snapped.
"BURN!" Elementor roared, not giving her a moment to fully get angry as he launched blasts of fire after fire at them, making them run.
"Okay, this guy spells trouble with a capital T!" Shock Rock exclaimed, "Makoto, see if you can call the others!"
"Already ahead of ya!" Makoto shouted, her badge out as the turn turned around a corner, "Tsubaki, we got an emergency!"
=Makoto, what's wrong?=
"Well first off; we encountered Forever and the Forever Knights and Ben got a new form!" Makoto explaiend as they ducked underneath a fireball, "Second off; They retreated the moment Ben turned into it...but now we're being chased by some sort of fire monster!"
"I will burn you into coal!"
"I can't absorb Fire!" Shock Rock grunted.
"Tsubaki, if you can...please send someone!" Makoto screamed.
=i'll try a...wait. Where's Max?=
"Rate he's running...Canada." Makoto replied.
=...you lost him didn't you?=
"...To be fair, he offered himself as bait to get some of the Forever Knights off our backs."
=Well he's got a heroic side to him at least=
"Anyway you should find him, just look for big energy, and once you find Knights...you found em."
=...ugh. Fine..I'll go search for him. Mai, you're with me. Noel, you and Rook look after Kajun and make sure she doesn't...overdo it=
=She already got side tracked and upgraded Berto's robot= Rook spoke
=...I should've seen that coming…=
"Okay...I think..I lost them…" Max panted, hiding in yet another abandoned warehouse, "..Seriously what is with people chasing me today? First bullies and now a bunch of knights...Well on the bright side, least I Got to meet Ben 10. Gotta wonder if I can get an autograph of his. Always wanted to get someone famous's autograph, but never met a famous person before...Still..." he sighed as he sat down on the ground, "The fact he's offering to help me with my powers is great...but now he's dealing with those knights and that lying jerk leader of theirs…"
"Ahh! Watch the tail!" Makoto screamed outside.
"?" Max blinked, standing up as he peeked out a nearby window, seeing Makoto and Shock Rock being chased by Elementor, "?!" 'What the hell is that?!'
"Suffer!"
"No thanks!" the two shouted as they ducked underneath another fireball.
Max said nothing as he gripped his hands as the energy began leaking out again.
"I know we need to hurry, but we need something to make it so when we bring Maxwell with us the ship doesn't explode!" Kajun complained as they rushed through the halls.
"Fair...but still this seems like a rush situation," Tsubaki spoke.
"Tsubaki, do not mention 'rush' around me!" Kajun snapped, "I am on the verge of a breakdown and am nowhere close to finishing this project! Do not tell me this seems like a 'rush situation!'"
"Uhm...this egg thing is glowing." Noel spoke up as they all came to a sudden halt seeing the display case...was indeed glowing.
"...what?" Kajun blinked before she blurred up to the display case, "How? It remained imobile all this time...Fixit?"
"I do not know! It's been inactive...dead...it...it can't be functioning at all." he rambled, "It's...IT'S…"
"Impossible?"
"That!" Fixit agreed.
"I think...we should back away…" Noel muttered as she, Mai, Tsubaki and Rook backed way down the hall.
"Eh?" the two blinked before they looked at the rumbling display case, the object inside seemingly bouncing around madly, "?!"
*CRASH!*
"AHH!" Kajun yelped as she and Fixit ducked, the object flying off at high speed, "...what just happened?!"
"I...shall tell Forge...you need to get that back, I know what it is...and if it's been reset...we may have a problem." Fixit explained.
"Problem?"
"May...MAY…" the minute Cybertronian stressed, "It...could also be good." he added.
"No time to test?" Kajun sighed.
"I'm sorry no…" he sighed.
"After that device!" Kajun ordered her friends.
"Ehem…" Tsubaki coughed into her hand.
"Oh...right...that's your job…" she chuckled.
"Of course...now after that device before it possibly does any harm!" Tsubaki ordered.
"Yes, ma'am!"
*CRASH!*
"Ahh!" Max yelped, being startled out of his thoughts as he rapidly looked around, "Now what?!"
He quickly ducked under something just as it blurred by, bouncing off the wall as it zoomed around the area. He watched as the object bounced around and then accidentally out another window. Max flinched as he heard car horns honking, and tires screeching implying it went into traffic.
Max walked out as he looked out the broken window. "Oh...this does not bode well…"
"Come on new guy! Have something for me!" Shock Rock complained as he clashed his energy beam with Elementor's fire.
"Pathetic little Fulmini Tirones!"
"Tire what?!" Shock Rock grunted as he was blasted back.
"It's a rank in roman military, Babe." Makoto explained.
"Is it good...or?"
"It means trainee…" Makoto cringed.
"Oh...wait. Trainee?!"
"I guess...you have a lot to learn…" Makoto chuckled before closing her eyes as Elementor punched Shock Rock slamming him into a wall next to her, "You okay?"
"Just my pride...and I think whatever counts as my kidneys in this form." he groaned, "How'd you know all that roman military stuff?"
"Military academy." she reminded.
"Oh...that makes sense…"
"Yeah...also dodge!"
"D-woah!" Shock rock yelped as he and Makoto dodged another fireball.
"To think your race used to be the galaxies greatest conquerors...now nothing but a fumbling little Tirones is all your race has left." Elementor scoffed.
"Another endangered race?" Shock Rock asked mostly to himself, "Max's Turbo energy must have woke up this alien…"
"How ironic...a Fulmini...protecting his own natural enemy…"
"Enemy?" Makoto repeated.
"The heck does that mean, coal face?" Shock Rock asked.
"Hehehe...why...your own races killed one another in eons of war. The Fulmini wanted the Tachyon race for their energy, not knowing their own gluttony...they choked on the power they craved. You're nothing more than a predator to that boy...but...sad to say, he's my prey, so...I need to get rid of the competition." he raised his arms as he formed massive orbs of fire, which began growing as if charging up.
"...Oh I think he's pulling a Frieza…" Makoto whispered with wide eyes, "Beeen…!"
"I'm thinking but...uh…" he tapped the Omnitrix, only to get a failure message, "Uh-oh...stuck in this form!"
"...ahh chestnuts…" Makoto whispered, her ears and tail drooping.
"BURN!" Elementor launched both blasts of fire at them. He chuckled as a huge explosion went off only to growl as the smoke began to fade.
"Are we dead?" Makoto asked as a blue energy shield covered them, the source...being Shock Rock, "You can make energy constructs!?"
"I can...I can!" Shock Rock laughed, "Oh I wonder what else I c-"
"No time to ponder! Fight time now!" Makoto shouted.
"Ahh right!" Shock Rock yelped as his shield blocked another fireball from Elementor, "Come on brain...don't fail me now…" he held his arm up as he focused the blue energy till he formed what looked like a giant boomerang he tossed through his forcefield.
Elementor blinked as he ducked to the side letting it fly past him. Shock Rock stood there with a blank expression along with Makoto. Elementor laughed as he formed another fireball, only to cry when the Boomerang came back and slammed into his back launching him flying forward into the barrier.
"I...did...can I take credit for that one?" Shock Rock asked honestly.
"Well I mean...it was a boomerang…" Makoto muttered unsure herself.
"Yeah…I'll take the win."
"Grrr…"
"Right...still haven't won…" he gulped as Elementor glared down at them, "Uh...I'm open to ideas, Babe…"
"Uh...uh...giant hammer?" Makoto suggested.
"GRAAAH!"
"Hammer time!" he panicked cupping his hands as he formed a giant sledge hammer of energy, he swung and struck Elementor, knocking him away, "...did it work?"
"I WILL INCINERATE YOUR ASHES!"
"Nope! Just made him mad!" Makoto yelped.
"I wish I had time to practice this guy!" Shock Rock complained as he formed a large riot shield to protect him and Makoto from a stream of fire, "I am getting the hang of it though…"
"Yeah, and we have a massive fire demon monster hunting us down!" Makoto argued, "Seriously some back-up would be good about now!"
"They should focus on Max…"
"I know...but I'm sweating like crazy!" Makoto complained, "On the bright side, think I shaved off a dress size by now…"
"AH!" Max's voice cried, making everyone pause for a second.
"What was…" at that, the wall next to Elementor exploded in a bright blue flash sending him crashing through a building across the street.
"Thank you...universe?" Shock Rock arched a stone eyebrow as he looked at Makoto who shrugged in equal confusion.
"OH! I'm all blue!" Max spoke running out, literally glowing pure blue as his energy formed looping rings around him like a planet's magnetic barrier.
"Max?!" Shock Rock and Maakoto exclaimed.
"I think that I'm going critical!" he exclaimed, "Ben, you have to get me out of the city!"
"I...I can't...I'm stuck as this guy!" he explained, "May...maybe I can absorb some of it!" he declared.
"Wait, Ben! What if it affects the Omnitrix i-" Makoto began.
"It's the watch...or the town," he countered.
"...Just be safe," Makoto said, worry heavy in her voice.
Shock Rock rushed forward as he held his hands out and began to absorb the aura of energy around Max. Both grunted as Shock Rock took in as much as he could, but...Max just kept producing more and more. Shock Rock grunted, falling to one knee, as he was glowing brighter now; but the energy was sparking off his body in a painful manner. After a few moments, Shock Rock was sent rocketing back and slamming into a wall, a bright green flash signaling his change as Ben was left stuck face first to the wall.
"I...I didn't have it…" he groaned, slowly falling back.
"Ah man!" Max complained, "Okay...maybe I can run out of the city!" he spoke as he moved to run only to trip as the energy empowered his leg to the point he broke the road under his feet, "Oh come on!"
"...Oh this is not good…" Makoto whispered, holding her head a bit, "Come on, Makoto...Think think think…!"
"I am going to bake you alive!" Elementor roared, getting back up.
"Oh crap…" Makoto and Max spoke.
"...baskets…" Ben finished before falling over again, "I taste light…"
Before Elementor could move to attack, the white sphere from before slammed into him, sending him flying away. It then aimed at Max and flew at him before bursting open. Everyone cringed as multiple pieces of the container now floated around him...and began absorbing the energy.
=Human...you are about to overload= a voice spoke as a small little robot floated in front of Max.
It was small and mostly white. Its center was rounded like a sphere, with a glowing blue eye that pulsed as he spoke. He also had two long mechanical arms ending in points.
"...N-no kidding!" Max exclaimed, "Wait...what even are you?!"
=Not important. If you're agreeable, my matrix can halt your Turbo detonation= the Robot spoke, floating around him before stopping in front of his face =And I can protect you from threats that come after you= he added =And I...will not shut down and quite possibly die…= he muttered.
"So...you can save me from going boom...and protect me from the burning freak?"
=Did I not just say that? Have humans evolved a new form of English? Hello? Do you understand English?= the machine asked floating around him.
"No no…" Max spoke quickly, worried the robot would leave, "What do I gotta do?"
=Just sit back, and leave it all to N'Barro Aksteel X377= he cheered.
"N'Bagel echa who?" Max and Makoto asked, the latter able to overhear it all at the moment.
=Heh...you can just call me Steel= he sighed as if disappointed no one could say his name =But enough dilly dally. Do you want my help or not?=
"Th-this is crazy…" Max sighed.
=Crazy? You ain't seen nothing yet!= Steel smirked as he turned around and faced his back to Max's and floated in front of his chest before stiffening and bending his arms till he himself took on an 'M' shape and slammed into Max's chest.
At that the Blue energy and the bits of metal around Max began flashing, links formed around all of it, the energy becoming a liquid like energy, spreading around faster and faster, until it began taking on a more solid form. Suddenly it all collapsed and bonded to Max in a bright flash.
"?!" Makoto tensed as she shielded her eyes from the flash.
"Ugh...jeez…" Ben groaned as he managed to pull himself out, "Who turned on the lights…?"
They looked up as the light faded. Max was now covered in a suit. It was a white and black suit of armor, his arms and legs were covered in white armor plating that formed around his muscles, and exposing bits of the black suit, blue lines shone on the inside of his arms and went down to his palms. His legs had the same pattern, as shone on both hips, the section around his knees, behind his legs and the soles of his armored shoes. His torso was mostly black padding anr armor, with his back glowing blue and two blue pads in the sides of his ribs, his upper chest was covered in a harness of white armor which melded with the chest piece were an orange design formed an M of segmented blue pieces. His face hidden behind a white helmet which had a black section at the top of his helmet, and a black mask, with a blue visor which angled with the shape of the helmet with two more smaller blue sections making an M shape from the front.
"Woah! What the…?!" Max exclaimed as he looked himself over, "What is...woah...this power...hey. I don't feel like I'm gonna explode!"
=Well of course= Steel spoke, startling Max for a moment =I'm making sure to keep your powers in check=
"Are...you in my head?" Max asked, looking around.
=Technically yes, but I could project my voice outward if that makes you feel more comfortable=
"I'd feel less crazy."
=Then outward it is then= Stell replied =But now I think it's time to help the boy with the transforming watch and his demi-human mate=
"What d-?! ...Wait...he just called me a demi-human…." Makoto blinked a bit, earning a look from Ben, "That's what Beastkin used to be called before we were labeled with that name."
"The what with the what now?" Max asked in a confused tone, his mind unable to process new information at the moment.
=Ahem! Giant fire monster?= Steel reminded.
"AH!" Max remembered as he jumped back from a fireball from Elementor.
"You...are coming...with me!" the fire-made being snapped, his flames flaring up.
"Can we take him?" Max looked down at Steel.
=Hmm...insufficient data…= he replied.
"Look out!" Max spoke as he jumped in the path of a fireball for Makoto and Ben, "Hey, that...and I'm on fire!" he looked down at his legs, "It doesn't hurt...but I'm still panicked."
"Wait...you're Fireproof?" Makoto blinked as she grabbed Ben and moved back.
"I guess so…" Max spoke patting the fire out.
=No time for pleasantries. What is your designation, human?=
"Huh...Maxwell McGrath…" Max introduced himself, "But Max is fine."
=Very well, Maxwell. I am a Techno-organic X-3-77 Omega Class Parasitic Ultralink Warrior...=
"Uh...can you help us in any way?" Max asked, not understanding that either.
=Oh boy…= Steel sighed =Yes, I can help you, so just do as I say. First, pick up the female with the tail like that of the Syntheosciurus brochus only overly fluffed and the scrawny one who seems to be her mate=
"Uh rude…" Makoto replied.
"I ain't scrawny," Ben added.
At that, Max's arm began flexing, Max shaking his head implying he was not doing that before Steel spoke =Hmm...well your scrawny compared to this human specimen…=
"I work out on occasion...and I'm not in agreement with this usage of my body!" Max declared.
=Do you want to survive or not, Maxwell?=
"I guess this is a thing..." Max sighed as he picked up Ben and Makoto, "Now what?"
=Simple: this suit allows you to use your body's full power enhanced by your Turbo energy...so...Run!=
"What?!" they all asked.
=We haven't time for combat protocol training, so escape is the best action!=
"...Screw it. I'll take it," Max muttered before he dashed off in a blur, the sound of Ben yelling and a surprised yet excited Makoto whooping filling the air.
"GRAGH! GET BACK HERE!" Elementor snapped.
"Whoa!" Max grunted skidding to a stop, dropping Ben and Makoto in the process, finding himself out in the middle of the desert after all his running, "What?! I mean...I can run fast but…"
=While we are Ultra Linked, all your abilities are enhanced, and with your Turbo energy, you are stronger and faster then any normal human, or enhanced human, like the girl with the overly fluffed tail=
"WHOO!" Makoto whooped as she shot up, her hair and the fur on her tail blown black a bit, "Let's go again!"
"Okay...first...what the heck happened?!" Ben spoke standing up, his hair also blown back.
"I don't know...this little robot dude like...stuck to me...and now I'm...this." Max spoke up as he looked at his armored hands, "And...I don't feel like I'm going to explode anymore. Heck...I feel great."
"...st-still...thanks for helping us back there, man," Ben said as he began fixing his hair.
"And second….you totally look like a toku hero!" Makoto exclaimed, currently brushing her tail to get it back to its normal fluff, "...Ben, please tell me you've figured out how to make armor from your Omnitrix."
"Nope…" he sighed.
=So that's what the Galvan device on his wrist was= Steel spoke =I thought it looked too nice to be on Earth=
"Well, you're just rude, aren't you?" Max sighed.
=I'm stuck on Earth...the backwater of the galaxy...full of idiots…= he lingered on Ben for a long while.
"...what?...What?!" Ben shouted before it dawned on him, "...hey~!"
=And...unexpected things…= He looked at Makoto.
"Rude…" she pouted.
=The only reason I'm even working...is cause someone on this rock produces Turbo Energy, which my Matrix needs to function=
"Wait so what...I'm stuck with you?" Max asked.
=No Maxwell...I'm stuck with you…= Steel sighed =Not my first pick to be Ultra Linked to a teenager, but at the very least...I could have been stuck with a worse specimen of the species…=
"...not sure if that was a compliment or an insult to my entire race," Max muttered
"I've never been more glad my Omnitrix doesn't talk…" Ben spoke to Makoto.
"Agreed…" Makoto nodded
"So can I take this suit off?" Max asked.
=No=
"What do you mean no?!"
=We are Linked, meaning we are now a symbiotic pair. You feed me Turbo energy to stay alive, and in that process, you no longer risk going critical and blowing up a chunk of the earth= Steel explained, =This armor is how Ultra Links work, we bond to another life form, item, object or phenomenon, enhancing them, turning them into a body for us. Since your Turbo energy is so strong, I become part of you, forming this enhancement suit, you remain sentient due to that energy=
"Wh-?! How am I gonna walk around school with this thing on?!" Max shouted, "I look like something out of a Kamen Rider or Super Sentai show!"
=No clue what that is…sound like a stupid human thing=
"You take that back!" Makoto shouted.
=I refuse=
"You are a very annoying alien…" she grumbled.
"So...what I'm stuck as an armored superhero dude for the rest of my life...how...how do I pee in this thing?!" Max complained as he tapped at the chest plate before Steel popped off in his little drone form, leaving an empty connector section, "How do I eat!?" at that his helmet lit up and deconstructed itself to reveal his face, "Wait...did I just do that?" he asked.
=Oh boy you humans sure are dumb aren't ya? The males of the species more so=
"It's not...inaccurate…" Makoto shrugged, earning a deadpanned look from Ben.
=Incase it's not clear the armor...is a reactive thing= he spoke in small words to be condescending, dumbing it down for them to save time =You want it to shrink down and hide within you, sure fine, that's camouflage mode, but you need me to pull it out when need be. At most...you can take the helmet off on command=
"You could have just said so…" Max grumbled.
=I was trying to...but the peanut gallery kept interrupting=
"...oh he better not be referring to us," Ben and Makoto muttered.
=Is there anyone else here to constantly cut me off?= Steel looked at them.
"Ugh…" Max groaned sitting down, "I think I hate you…"
=This is no time for rest= Steel spoke as he lifted his arms up, making Max's own arms raise up and pull him to his feet against his will, he then formed multiple holographic screens showing vitals on Max =Running a complete diagnosis on core Matrix functionality= he began moving his arms around as Ben and Makoto jumped back as Max's body moved around like a puppet, first doing a handstand on one hand, then one finger before flipping up and landing in a pose with his arm held up, making him stand at attention, before making him balance on the tip of his toes like a ballet dancer...before just making Max jump over them and land face first in the dirt and sand, =Everything seems normal…=
"What is wrong with you?!" Ben snapped as Makoto helped Max up.
=I don't see the problem, he's very healthy, has a strong physically fit body, very limber, and has super powers, yet something feels off with his Turbo energy production, it's inconsistent= he explained, =The link is stable, energy feedback is normal, functions and internal systems working at optimal conditions, except...I damaged my memory core= he tapped his own head a few times =Rather bothersome….if only there was someone competent to speak with here…=
"..." Ben and Makoto shot a look at one another before a grin grew on their face, "...We know someone."
=Oh? = Steel then flinched when Max grabbed him.
"Okay listen here Robot McSpace pants, nobody turns Maxwell McGrath into a puppet!" he complained as his eyes were glowing blue and radiating energy like mist.
The energy surged up his hand and into Steel who began glowing like Max did before bonding with him. His eye bugged out as he sparked a bit, changing from exclamation points to emoji's of concern.
"Hey...what are you doing?" Max asked in concern.
=I'm not doing it! Your Turbo energy is overloading my energy dampeners!= Steel explained.
"Well make it stop!" Max complained.
=Detonation in 3!=
"No! No! Stop counting!"
=2!=
"What should I do!?" Max asked.
=Throw me!=
"What?!"
=1! Throw me now!=
Max swung his hand and tossed Steel like a boomerang which flew through the sky before hitting a rock formation. Upon impact a huge explosion shattered the rock causing a short rockslide. Everyone blinked a few times before Steel landed on the ground with a grown, before crying out in pain as a boulder fell on him.
=Ow...I do not enjoy pain…= Steel groaned =...Some assistance please…?=
"Sorry bout that, you okay buddy?" Max asked as he lifted the boulder and tossed it away.
=No… I feel like what you Earthlings call a crushed can…= Steel groaned, =Well, apparently Maxwell, we make a painfully explosive combination= he sparked and fell down, only for Max to catch him.
"That was pretty awesome though," Max smiled looking at the damage they caused to the rock formation, "I wonder what else I...we...us could do…" he rambled as Steel floated back up on his own, "Ben did say I could maybe be a Hero from this."
"I did...and I admit...I am jealous of the cool suit." Ben admitted.
"We could give ya a crash course in hero 101," Makoto added.
"Really?"
"Yup. Funny enough...my girlfriend here is technically from a bad future, and first week? She's proved herself as a hero...and months after the Incursean invasion? She and her friends gained their own fanclub," Ben stated.
"Y-wait…" Makoto blinked at that last part, "...We have a fanclub?"
"How do you not know?" Ben asked.
"I've been busy with the girls when I'm not with you!" Makoto argued.
"Oh...well I only saw the name of a fansite for Team Remix Heart...and saw a video of all five of you girls and Jenny fighting back against the Incurseans," Ben answered.
=Are all human mating couples this taxing to keep up with?= Steel asked.
"Only the good ones." Max smiled to Steel.
=Well, lets hope our partnership is much more professional. With my technological acumen, and your Turbo power, we'll make a great deal change to this world=
"Well alright then," Max smiled, "If I'm gonna be a Superhero, I need some kinda catchphrase thing to say…"
=Is that really necessary?= Steel sighed.
"Well yeah. All the best Hero's have 'em."
=From my search of the internet...this one just shouts 'Hero time'= he pointed to Ben.
"Why does everyone bring that up!?" Ben changed the subject.
"Because it sounds like something a Saturday morning cartoon hero would say?" Makoto teased.
"Babe please don't start…"
"You know how I be…"
"...hmm...maybe Going Turbo?" Max suggested.
=I feel this Disney company would sue us if we did sometime in the future…= Steel countered
"Shoot...it's Turbo Time?" Makoto suggested.
=Used by a Arnold Schwarzenegger in what is called a Christmas moved titled Jingle All the Way=
"Dang it…"
"Alright...keep it simple," Max smiled, "Steel...Go Turbo!" he shouted as Steel stiffened into the M shape and slammed onto Max's chest plate making his armor glow.
"...I like it," Ben noted, "Pretty original."
=Ugh...humans…= Steel groaned.
"Like it or not, you're stuck with us, Steely," Makoto grinned, "But enough talk. Let's meet back with Tsubaki and the others b-"
"There they are!" Kajun's voice shouted.
"...speaking of one of the others…" Ben noted as they noticed Tsubaki and the others running into the area.
"Bout time!" Makoto shouted, "We got chased by a fire monster! And Ben was stuck as a new alien he has no idea how to control!"
"I was learning!" Ben argued.
"Well you suddenly vanished and...what happened?" Tsubaki asked, noticing Max.
"Hi!" Max chuckled awkwardly, "I'm...I'm wearing an alien…"
=Poke me...and I zap you= Steel warned.
"...but...I...I never…" Kajun whispered, dropping a few tools she was carrying as she had a look of disbelief on her face, "I never….got to make it…"
=Please, I am a Techno-organic X-3-77 Omega Class Parasitic Ultralink Warrior, you can't make anything better then Moi~= Steel spoke earning a look from Max, =I am learning your Earth languages...you speak a stupid amount of them...why do you still teach Esparanto...it's a dead language...but an amazingly well made one…"
"I mean...Max still leaks a lot of energy, Kajun." Makoto spoke, "And he needs help to even touch tech…"
"If you can help me use a phone again...I would literally owe you my life…" Max chuckled.
"..." a gleam appeared in Kajun's eye as she picked her tools back up, "Very well, I accept that challenge. And worry not...I'll make sure you can do all sorts of things again by the time I'm done and the science...oh the science~"
=I don't feel safe= Steel spoke up as Max smacked him.
"Hey she's offering me my life back, I'm willing to put up with a little crazy if it means I can watch epic video game fail on my phone again." Max chuckled, "'Sides...I am wearing an alien...can't get weirder."
"Enough talk. This way, Maxwell," Kajun spoke as she began to push him away.
"Whoa...pushy...shouldn't you buy me coffee first?" Max joked.
"Don't Noel…" Tsubaki sighed.
"Mmmm…" Noel pouted, putting down her book, "...oh! Robo-"
"He's hanging out with Moshimo for the week before we left," Makoto stated.
"Poo…"
"I miss him too…" Makoto, Mai and Tsubaki sighed.
"What was this about a Fire Monster?" Rook asked.
"AH!" Ben remembered, "Right Fire guy...he's still looking for Max!"
"We shall hide him in the lab!" Kajun countered, still pushing Max.
"I can walk just fine...heck I could get there faster…" Max spoke.
"Then take me and let me lead you there to assist you!" Kajun shouted.
"Kajun really wants to work on this…." Mai noted.
"Mmm...resist urge...for...saucy joke…" Makoto bit her knuckle.
"Oh get your mind out of the gutter, Makoto," Kajun spoke, hopping into Max's arms, "Besides, I don't have time for romance...not when there's work to be done."
"Well this is happening. Lead the way science girl!" Max chuckled as his helmet formed.
=I still don't feel safe around this human!= Steel complained as they ran off.
"I'll get the Proto-TRUK…" rook sighed.
"And I'll contact Magister Tennyson to inform him what's happening," Tsubaki added.
SZ: Well this is an interesting start to the arc.
Z0: More action to come, oh so much more action!
SZ: Eeyup..and more comedy...but defs more action. And before you complain about how many series are crossing over with this, it's still a Ben 10/Blazblue fic guys. It's just...well...shall we explain or wait for a certain 'trial' chapter/episode to explain?
Z0: I ain't gonna explain it to 'em, if anyone has a complaint, tell it to the website for not having a tag for what we are trying to do here.
SZ: Hai...so hope you all leave a review and enjoy the chapter folks!