Galactic Shift Extend

by Seanzilla1988

A familiar Beastkin goes through a familiar abandoned Cauldron. However, she doesn't end up in another timeline, but Bellwood, home to a teen with a watch he wears on his arm that can change his shape to save the world from harm.

49. Time to Go Turbo Pt 3

SZ: Almost here...3(technically two) chapters away from hitting fifty chapters for this story, and five reviews away from hitting 600.

Z0: We have gone far!

SZ: Very far, so let us keep it going with the next part of hte Max Steel Arc!

Z0: We are broke and own nothing!

SZ: Aside original content, so..start us off!

Z0: *begins glowing with green energy before raising up both hands before clapping them together, shattering the screen...and the building...and the street*

---

"...And you sure this will work?" Mai asked, looking at Kajun as she worked on the choker that housed her Proto-Armor.

"Of course. Considering there are more of Elementor's species coming, I figured it would be best to upgrade everyone's Proto-Armors to deal with elemental powers," Kajun answered, "Also...been meaning to upgrade yours and go with a different color."

"...I...really never had the time to choose a color for mine," Mai admitted.

"Exactly," Kajun spoke, "Also...I had to add new Turbo energy blockers Steel and I made...last thing we want is hanging around Max to make your clothing go...poof."

"...Good point," Mai muttered.

"And...that should do," Kajun said, moving away from the choker before picking it up and offering it to her, "Give it a try."

"...Okay," Mai muttered as she took her choker back, putting it on before pressing the zipper-like pendant on it, causing her Proto-Armor to appear on her as it was now colored a mix of red and white with the lower half of it a dark-black and gold color, "...Huh. It's almost like my old battle outfit in terms of color."

"I figured it would feel more comfortable that way." Kajun explained, "Lord knows Tsubaki's never gonna give that back to you any time this century."

"I know...and I remember it was something you had given me to deal with my...ahem. Growing body," Mai admitted, "Did not take into account that we'd be sent back in time and de-aged back to our teenage selves again."

"Things have happened since then," Kajun nodded, "And we've improved and -slowly but surely- are getting back up to our original ages."

"It's still an odd feeling." Mai sighed, "I mean one minute we're adults, the next we're teenagers again. But I don't mind, we're back with our friends...and things feel better then in our old lives. Makoto's happy, Tsubaki isn't stuck working for evil jerks anymore."

"Yes...now she's our boss." Kajun chuckled.

"Still a better boss then any from back home." Mai added.

"Even Noel has changed. All her new friends have helped her come out of her shell and become more confident. It's amazing how many times she's just bashed someone over the head to end an argument…" Kajun added as she recalled the last time that happened.

"Eh heh...yeah," Mai giggled a bit, "Even Jin's changed...a tiny bit, but he has changed."

"He's gone from a murderous psychopath to...a weirdo...still a change for the better though…" Kajun muttered.

"True. Tsubaki has been helping him with that," Mai nodded, "...And we know Noel is itching for the chance to write something about those two together."

"Provided they can drop work for a single day," Kajun added, "...tough one thing bothers me."

"Hmm?"

"The NOL...we know Relius is here in our time," Kajun explained, "...Who knows if the NOL had arrived in this time as well, biding their time for the right moment."

"That's true…" Mai nodded, understanding the concern, "But...what could they do? IF they appeared here, they would be diminished so much. And by this point we now have many powerful friends and allies."

"...Yes that is true," Kajun nodded before shaking her head, "One problem at a time. For now..focus on taking care of the other Elementors."

"And making sure Max doesn't overload and make all of our gear go boom." Mai added, "Which is more your job now."

"I swear I thought it would work…"

"Makoto is still mourning her phone…"

---

"I swear to god I don't know why I went along with this to make me a portable recharge station idea…" Max sighed.

"Thought it would be a good idea…" Makoto muttered as she was slouched down, holding onto her sparking phone, "Mmm...I had some good date photos in here too…"

"Good thing I got backups on them on my phone and laptop back home," Ben spoke.

"Eee! Best boyfriend!" Makoto beamed as she shot up and hugged him.

"You know, you two are possibly the most wholesome couple on Earth...and in a sense, neither of you are even down to Earth…" Max muttered.

"What's...no...no...I see your point." Makoto muttered, "It did take us getting stuck in space to work through the initial hang ups of going from friends to couple."

"Also I turn into aliens, and your technically not 'human'," Ben added with air-quotes around human, "Which...I think has made Azmuth and people who categorize species on worlds upset knowing Earth now has other species of sentient life."

"We are a weird bunch." Makoto finished.

"You two even talk from the same point and finish each other's points." Max chuckled, "Honestly, the only thing missing is a ring."

"?!" The two tensed at that, a blush forming on their cheeks.

"W-well that's…" Ben sputtered out.

"We uh...we don't know…" Makoto sputtered out as well.

=I'd dread what their offspring would be should they...as the Earth saying goes, tying the knot= Steel commented.

"Excuse you?!" Makoto snapped as she shot up, "Our kids would be amazing!"

=Yes...amazingly unpredictable=

"Ah forget Steel." Max chuckled, "I bet you two would be fun parents...but I also do expect them to inherit your combined energy…" he chuckled, "Oh man Babysitters will be impossible." he kept laughing.

=Why do humans sit on babies...isn't that dangerous?=

"No no. Babysitters are people who look after someone's kids while they're busy," Ben explained.

=Why would you entrust a child with a stranger?=

"Well they aren't always a stranger. They are people like that nice kid on the street, or a family friend, or your parents." Makoto explained, "Though I bet the only ones who could handle kids with mine and Ben's energy...and my physical abilities...would be my parents. Maybe Tsubaki...Noel would just spoil them...I don't think Mai has the strength to punish them...and Kajun's just out of the question."

"What about Ragna?" Ben asked.

"Eh. He's more like that cranky uncle...who likes kids," Makoto answered, "Seriously the kittens in the Kaka Clan love him."

=Kaka Clan?" Steel and Max repeated.

"Race of cat women that hide their faces until the find someone they want as a mate," Makoto answered.

"That is both the weirdest and potentially most fun thing ever," Max muttered, "Anyone ever do the invisible wall cat trick on them?"

"..."

"...Makoto…" Ben spoke.

"Aw come on~" Makoto pouted, "Laser pointers work the same way, so why not?"

"Cause of the fact that works. I mean can you imagine how most will freak out when they think there is an invisible wall?" Ben argued.

"..." Makoto pondered at that, imagining a chibi Argit laughed at the freaking out Kaka Clan women as they tried to get out of the 'invisible wall'...until their claws tore into it, freaking him out as they began to chase him, "...Okay good point."

"...You were imagining Argit doing that, weren't you?"

"...Maybe."

"Well if he did it...I wouldn't care what happens after." Ben admitted.

"Oh…"

"I Imagine this Argit gets into trouble a lot…" Max guessed.

"Would you believe he tried selling a universe destroying bomb to a bunch of space mafia frogs?" Makoto asked with a deadpanned look.

"So butt monkey...got it." Max understood.

"More like butt rat," Makoto snickered, "Anyway...let's train a bit so we can be ready for more of hot head and rock for brains' brothers."

"I'm sure we can stop water with ice or the cement plan…" Ben spoke, "But I'm not sure how we stop a monster made of wind…"

"Unless you use something simple like a vacuum or a balloon," Max added.

"Or do a reverse rotation for the wind part if it's a tornado," Makoto shrugged, "But back to training...and I think I got hte perfect training for your speed form, Maxy."

"...and that is…?" Max cautiously asked before Makoto brought her gauntlets out.

"DODGE!"

"?!" Max's helmet formed just in time to block a punch that still sent him flying back.

"..." Ben looked at Makoto as she held her hand up as her fingers twitched, "Helmet too hard?"

"Surprisingly yes...ow~" Makoto winced, "...may as well stick to projectiles then."

"Wait what?" Max blinked before barely avoiding Makoto's energy punch.

"DODGE!"

"WOAH BOY!" Max yelped as he dodged another energy punch, "I think this is less training and more you trolling me!" he complained dodging another energy punch, "I feel this is undeserved aggression!" he jumped over another before grabbing Steel, "Go Turbo Flight!" he spoke jumping up and changing into his flight mode as he avoided each and every energy punch with his amazing flight speed and control, "If it was something me or Steel said, I am on record not smart, and Steel is just a pain in the ass for everyone."

"Oh I know...I'm mostly aiming for Steel," Makoto 'sweetly' smiled as a giant electrified energy fist engulfed one of her gauntlets, "Mostly for the airheaded comment from yesterday…"

=And yet I'm not wrong…= Steel replied.

"Steel-arang time!" Max panicked yanking Steel off his chest and charging him up before tossing him to let him crash into the energy fist causing a huge explosion, with Steel flying through proving to have more power as he hit the ground in front of Ben and Makoto, the small bit of energy left going off with small burst of energy, just enough to knock them over and into one another, "Sorry!"

=Ow…=

"Heh heh…" Makoto smirked a bit.

"...You totally got that 'DODGE' bit from DBZA, didn't you?" Ben asked.

"May~be~"

"You two...need a minute?" Max asked in a teasing tone as he floated down and looked at the position they fell into.

"Hmm?" the two blinked before noticing their position, "...AHH!"

"What's going o-" Tsubaki began as she poked in...and noticed the position Ben and Makoto were in, "...Benjamin Kirby Tennyson...Makoto Arcornia Nanaya…"

"It's not what it looks like!" the two panicked when she pulled out the paper fan.

*SMACK!*

"Honestly you two...you're supposed to be imparting your years of combat experience onto our new friend...not goofing around and flirting…" Tsubaki sighed.

"We weren't…" both cried with massive swelling bumps on their heads.

"Steel replay…." Tsubaki turned to the good UltraLink.

=With pleasure= he 'smiled' with his singular eye forming a holographic screen showing Makoto's evasion training.

"Dodge...really?" Tsubaki asked with annoyance.

"It was to help him with reaction speed!" Makoto defended.

=With telegraphed attacks…= Steel added.

"Shut it!" Makoto hissed.

"...Ugh," Tsubaki sighed as she rubbed the bridge of her nose, "Honestly…But considering it was an accident..." she muttered as she looked at the last bit of footage, "...I'll let it slide for now."

"Oh phew…" the two sighed in relief.

"But next time I catch you two in such a position…" Tsubaki paused as she pulled out a metal folding fan, tapping it as the two tensed up, "Understood?"

"Yes ma'am…"

"And you two," Tsubaki aimed at Max and Steel next, making them tense up, "Next time think of a proper strategy and keep Steel in control, Max…"

"I try...but he's not exactly easy to get along with, Boss." Max sighed, already getting use to the chain of command, "It's easier to just throw him and let him explode most times."

=I still don't like that!= Steel complained.

"Well if you stop putting your foot in your non-existent mouth, you wouldn't be thrown like a got dang boomerang!" Makoto argued.

=Don't you start with me, bushy tail!= Steel complained as they glared at one another.

"See…" Max sighed grabbing Steel by his 'head' and slamming him back onto his chest plate, "I think maybe spending too much time around each other is the problem. Makoto doesn't need Steel to survive like I do, so how about we take a break, send Steel back with the nerds where he's helpful and productive, and I can train with Rook in hand to hand combat, and these two...don't have to explode at each other."

"I second that idea!" Makoto spoke up.

"I feel like a tag-along when they argue so...ditto." Ben chuckled.

"Motion carried then," Tsubaki nodded

"How are you so good at dealing with this stuff Max?" Ben asked.

"Oh well before I moved to Copper Canyon, I was pretty good at taking care of kids...kinda the same logic here…" he chuckled.

"Well now I feel like an underpaid babysitter…" Tsubaki sighed, "But I can't deny how useful your method of thinking proves…"

"I tend to get that," Max shrugged.

He's a pretty chill guy too," Ben added.

"And knows a good pun or two," Makoto nodded before she and Ben blinked.

"...Thinking what I'm thinking babe?"

"Oh yeah~"

"Hmm?" Max raised a brow.

"...what are you two…?" Tsubaki began.

"We were thinking maybe after this elementor business is done with, we can have Max join our team," the two answered.

"Well...Max's powers make him a great danger to any enemy who relies on technology. He has proven to be as strong as the two of you." Tsubaki listed, "He'd be a great addition to the team...also he can keep Kajun busy with constant requests…"

"Exactly," the two nodded.

"However...that's Max' choice to make whether he wants to join or not."

"It's not like I can go back to normal highschool and homework after all this…" Max sighed looking at his armored hands, "'Sides, with my powers it probably would be safer if I was around people, and technology that could handle my Turbo energy if it ever flares up. And honestly, after getting all this...no way I can just sit around and not take a crack at this Hero stuff. Finding out how to handle school will be a hassle though, I don't want to give up on that…" he rambled.

"I think we have more than enough ways to help." Tsubaki smiled.

"Thanks. Plus if we fix up the ground bridge tech more, I can still come home on my off time." he chuckled.

"And more places to go and hang out at," Makoto added.

"Trust us man. You're gonna fit in with us just fine," Ben assured.

Max smiled at that before his phone played a tune, "Ah. That's my mom."

"Have you told her about...all this exactly?" Tsubaki asked.

"Not...exactly…in...many...words…" Max muttered, "Like none...none...I just told her what me and Uncle Forge thought of...trust me...we are afraid of her for a reason." he walked off to answer his phone.

"It's never easy telling a parent you're now a superhero." Ben explained from personal experience.

"Very true," Makoto nodded.

"...I figured you'd be panicking given how your mom…?" Ben began.

"They've supported me when I got my job…" Makoto stated...before her ears drooped, "But they're probably worried sick about me...and I have no idea where they are."

"I'm sure if you show up on the news enough, they'll try to find you." Max offered, "I mean your speech from the day you guys came back to Earth is viral."

"...True…" Makoto muttered, "...But I still can't help but worry you know.."

"Donn't worry. We'll find them," Ben assured, putting a hand on her shoulder as she gave her a reassuring smile.

"Sides now you got an extra hand." Max offered, "You think all your families are stuck here?" he turned to Tsubaki for that question.

"...I'm honestly wondering about that," Tsubaki answered, holding her chin in thought, "Me and Kajun have been using the computer at Plumber HQ to see if we could find anyone else from our time….so far no results."

=If your from the future, can't you track the residual temporal energy residue stuck to all of you?= Steel pointed out, =I mean...if I was to call it a smell...you'd stink of it=

"...Hmm...I might have to bring it up with Kajun," Tsubaki whispered, "I'll go talk with her. You all relax until we're needed...and no 'Dodge!' training, Makoto."

"Fine…" Makoto pouted as Tsubaki walked off.

"Let's find someone else to annoy." Ben offered.

"But who else can we annoy?" Makoto asked, "Not like any of your enemies will pop up here…"

=Attention Plumber personnel; one Dr. Animo has been spotted in town leading a mutated animal army= the intercom went off.

"..."

"First one there gets to interrupt his monologue!" Ben spoke running off.

"Wh-?! Hey~!" Makoto complained as she chased after him.

"...Well. May as well join 'em," Max shrugged as he followed suit.

---

"Yes...yes my army! Scout the city for any potential allies to our cause!" Animo declared as he pointed forward, leading an army of mutated minks with bat wings on their backs and long sharp claws, "Soon they will cower at the might of our Mink ar…!"

"Are those weasels?!" Makoto's voice shouted, making Animo stop and twitch as a multitude of emotions flooded his exposed brain, "Oh my god he made Kamaitachi!"

"Minks! They are minks thank you very much!" Ammo barked before blinking, "...wait. That voice...Tennyson's squirrely girl partner! And if she's here...Ben Tennyson is here too!"

"Hi Animo!" Ben waved as he looked up to see them watching from a roof top, "Oh my god your right babe...they are those yokai things."

"See...Kamaitachi!" Makoto smiled, "They even have the cute hand blade claws…" she smiled tauntingly.

"Grr...They are Minks! Not weasels!" Animo barked, "Also I am honestly surprised to see you two here. Are you on vacation by any chance?"

"Eh…" they shrugged, "It's kinda complicated…"

"What...how is it complicated? Either it's work or vacation...which you two seem to take a lot. Which I'd imagine is probably moving fast for a young couple...but then again you aren't normal either…" Animo muttered.

"And proud of it, Doc!" Makoto laughed, "Wait...how'd you get out of your cell...did you...weasel out?" she giggled.

"G...gh…" Anima twitched at that before taking a deep breath, "No...a Galvan by the name of Chadsmuth bailed me out again…"

"...Ugh. Of course he would," Ben facepalmed.

"Eh should've expected that. I mean lawyers can be a bit weasely," Makoto punnded, earning another eye twitch from Animo.

"Your evil...you're an evil evil girl…" Animo replied, his eyes still twitching.

"How rude!" Makoto huffed.

"And now you're just referencing 90's TV!" Animo snapped.

"It's called a hobby! Mine is binge watching nice TV shows!" Makoto countered.

"Why haven't you come down and attacked yet!?" Animo complained.

"We're field testing the new guy." Ben smiled.

"New...guy…?" Animo blinked before a large object slammed into the ground making him turn to Max in his Strength mode.

"Sup?" Max asked, standing up to his full towering height.

=Human with too much curiosity into the field of bioengineering, veterinary science, and self modification...surrender now. Or we will be resorted to...Smashing= Steel spoke up.

"Which we will do to your little weasel army," Max added.

"M-I-N-K! MINK! NOT WEASELS! MINKS!" Animo snapped.

"Then why do they have cute little sickle hands?" Max argued.

"..." Animo scowled as he put his hands on his head, sending out a hypnotic wave to his army, "Attention my Mink army; destroy this new nuisance!"

"Aw...they think they can scratch my armor...their cute little fuzzy nope-ropes!" Max laughed as their claws bounced off his armor doing no harm at all. He then grabbed the tail of two before swinging them around like nunchucks and bashing them into their comrades, "Bruce Lee movies you've never failed me." he laughed, swinging one of the mutated Mink's and smacking another away, "Come on now, don't make this too easy!" he laughed, tossing the two in his arms at Animo.

"Wh-?!" Animo began before the Minks hit his face...and began to fight one another in a fight cloud, "GAH! GET 'EM OFF! GET 'EM OFF! I MEAN GET OFF ME! I COMMAND YOU!"

"Wow that was kinda fun." Max laughed, "But I think I should save the Evil Mad Scientist now." Max lifted his hands up as they began glowing before slamming his hands together letting out a thunderous clap that spooked all the Minks and made them stop….and began to run and leave.

"Wait...wait! Come back! I command you!" Animo ordered, his face littered in claw marks as he shouted at the fleeing minks, "Grr...curse you Ben Tennyson! Curse you and your girlfriend and your meddling ways!"

"Oh wow he does say that." Max noted, "I thought it was a joke…"

"Nah, he's like the Tennyson family nemesis." Makoto replied.

"Don't you dare think of pawning me off on your kids in the distant future!" Animo barked.

"Too late! Already thinking it!" Makoto laughed.

"D'oh...you..!" Animo began before he was suddenly caught in a net, "Ahh!"

"Oh my...he really is here," Noel sighed as she, Rook and Mai ran over, "Why is he all the way out here?"

"I believe there was an exhibit on a rare type of mink in one of the local pet shops," Rook guessed.

"So he led an army of weasels?" Mai guessed.

"MINKS!" Animo snapped.

"...oh what did he do to the poor things?" Noel pondered before she noticed a particularly small mink hiding behind a lightpost, "...Mmmm~"

"...No-" Rook began before a dust cloud in Noel's shape took her place.

"KAWAII~!" Noel squealed, cuddling the mink, "This is one that I am alright with since he actually made these minks cuter!"

"C-careful! Those claws are not to b-" Animo began before the Mink Noel was holding retracted its claws and began to nuzzle against her, "...How does she have this affect on my animals?! And why is she the only one that correctly calls them minks?!"

"She just has a way with them," Makoto shrugged, "Ben asked her about how to scratch just the right places to…"

"Not the time," Ben whispered.

"...Still the fact he made a bunch of Kamaitachi is honestly amazing," Mai muttered.

"M! I! N! K! MINK! MINK! MINK! Does no one even pay attention?!" Animo complained as Rook picked him up.

"Dude...it's a long fuzzy animal...with sickle like claws that can also fly…" Max explained, holding up one of the big ones he caught before it ran away, "You made a yokai from Japan. You just used a different fuzzy animal."

"..." Animo slowly blinked at that, "...GAH! You're right...I nearly pulled a Kamikaze!"

"Yes yes. You can ruminate over it in a cell," Rook stated as a ground bridge opened before the group.

"Oh that's new," Animo spoke in interest, "When'd you get this gizmo?"

"Recent." Mai replied already used to this song and dance.

"Oh this is nice~" Animo complimented as he was led through, "And more convenient…"

"The one for Bellwood isn't up yet, so...you're stuck here for now, Doc," Makoto stated.

"Oh fine fine, It shall make a nice holding cell till we get back to familiar environments." Animo sighed.

"Good boy," Makoto smield as Rook walked him into an opened cell, "Now stay and behave like a good mad scientist."

"I'm staying because I want to…" he pouted.

"Of course you do," Rook said as he walked out of the cell, letting it close right behind him.

"So...that's your first Nemesis." Max spoke.

"I mean...he's been around since I was 10...which...I was a lot dumber so he was a lot harder sometimes." Ben explained.

"Four years of puberty have not made you that much smarter Ben...you just got better at what aliens you use." Animo argued.

"And you just stick with the usual mutated animal schitck," Ben countered, "...Outside that time you got jacked in the Null Void."

"It was a good plan!"

"Why do I get the feeling we'll never be rid of you Doc?" Makoto asked.

"Because I am Dr. Animo! I will live forever!" Animo declared.

"You're not gonna turn yourself into a sentient computer are ya?" Makoto asked again.

"What...don't be absurd...how would I eat…" Animo argued.

"...okay good point…"

"He sounds more like a whacky family friend then your hated nemesis." Max pointed out.

"Wha...no he still hates me." Ben argued.

"Of course I do! Hating you gives me reason to keep on moving! If I can't overcome you, then what's the point?"

=Wow...talk about determination= Steel noted

"No kidding," Max muttered, "...Still, not a bad first time at this super hero thing."

"Gah! Beaten by a rookie?! Using me to train your new friends!? How dare you Ben!" Animo complained.

"It worked for Rook and Makoto…" Ben argued.

"D'oh!" Animo facepalmed...before looking at Noel as she was still cuddling the Mink, "...by any chance can I…?"

"No." she denied while walking away, "Gonna have to think of a name for you." she smiled.

"Mmm…" Animo pouted, crossing his arms as he turned his back to them.

---

"Amazing…" Kajun noted as she examined a computer showing data on Max's forms thus far.

"What now?" Tsubaki asked, walking in to check on them.

"Well I was checking the data from the team's little scuffle with Animo...I believe Max's Turbo Strength form is getting even stronger." Kajun explained.

"Stronger? Is that possible?" Tsubaki asked.

"We are running on the theory that his forms channel his Turbo energy into his new powers." Berto spoke up.

"Turbo Energy itself is rare and unexplored as far as what it can't do yet." Fixit added.

"Going off this data, at first Turbo Strength matched Fourarms in strength...now he's matching Humungousaur." Kajun added, "I believe the form can just grow in strength as long as Max has Turbo energy reserves."

"So your saying...his potential is impossible to estimate?" Tsubaki blinked, unable to fully understand Kajun's gibberish math and equations.

"Exactly."

"And what of Flight mode?" Tsubaki asked, figuring she had more to say.

"It's speed is amazing, very comparable to Jetray," Kajun went on, "And I think it can just keep flying as long as Max has energy."

"I see," Tsubaki noted, "Anything else you've found out?"

"Well...aside from how powerful Steel's armor is...I got word from Azmuth…" Kajun replied.

"And?" Tsubaki asked.

"...He won't be able to make it till tomorrow our time...as he is currently in the middle of working out on a space warping generator intent to create a pocket dimension sustained within a small area. Effectively pulling a Doctor Who of...it's bigger on the inside." Kajun explained in simplified terms, knowing Tsubaki would snap if she spoke...too technical, "Only you know...out in space...and not with a closet like Magister's closet of dangerous things and tools."

"So we have to wait another day to fix the Omnitrix...well at least we have Max." Tsubaki sighed, "And thankfully Ben has Makoto or he might be pouty...or try something stupid like keep trying to use the Omnitrix."

"I could try and make a device to measure how many times Ben can use it till...you know…" Kajun trailed off.

"Goes Boom?" Berto asked.

"Dies?" Fixit asked.

"Yes…" Kajun replied slowly.

"Hoo boy," the two gulped at that.

"...Get right on that," Tsubaki spoke, "Until then...we'll have to stick with keeping Ben as our last resort and prevent him from transforming unless absolutely necessary."

"Of course," Kajun nodded, '...and knowing us, something is bound to happen any second now.'

---

The Fire Elementor growled out as it finally returned to the edge of the city, literally burning mad as it began to look around. He stopped when a sudden gust pushed him down. He looked up at an Elementor who looked like a tornado given humanoid shape with a fanged jaw and glowing red eye. Beside him was an Elementor made of water, who unlike his siblings had a tail and had fins going down his back.

"...grr...what do you want?"

"Fool, Earth is already in lock up. Going in without a plan will just get you taken down," Air replied with a growl.

"I will not stand by and be humiliated by a bunch of filthy human brats!"

"Silence!" Air snapped as a sudden gust pushed him down, "Our objective has a greater goal then petty revenge! The awakening of Turbo Energy means we have a chance to free our brothers and master. But only if we play...smart."

"Grr…"

"It is best to listen to what Wind says…" Water spoke.

"Oh, of course you'd say that, Mr. 'Go with the flow.'"

"Indeed, Mr. 'Hothead.'"

"Rrrr…" Fire snarled before Air held a hand up and Fire gagged as his body started going out from lack of oxygen, "U-Uncle...Uncle…" Wind lowered his hand and Fire gasped and panted as his flames returned to their previous state, "Gah! I hate when you do that!"

"Which is why I'll keep doing that whenever you don't want to calm down," Air stated, "Or do you want Water to give you the thing that Earthlings call a 'swirly' in the ocean?"

"...Grr…" Fire growled as he turned away.

"We have to contest with Tennyson. We can't underestimate the power of the Galvan's Omnitrix."

"...True...given now he has the power of a Fulmuni."

"As well as other problematic alien races," Air added, "I will not lose our only chance...to idiotic choices made in anger…"

"Try telling that to Earth...who's currently been captured by those flashbags."

"And why do you think he was captured…?" Water asked.

"..."

"Exactly.."

"Let us hope those humans can pull off a distraction...then maybe I can get through to my own plans," Air spoke.

---

"...Ben, starting to get that feeling again," Makoto spoke, "That feeling that something's about to affect the weather."

"Might be the Wind Elementor." Ben figured, "If he's made from a storm...he might have power over the weather."

"...Least its not those stupid Weatherbots again," Makoto muttered.

"Weatherbots?" Max repeated.

"These goofy robots with weather based powers." Ben explained, "We fought them...like ages ago now…" he muttered looking at Makoto.

"They have been hard to find again...maybe they are off planning something." Makoto offered.

"Still it be too strange for them to show up now as so many new and old villains are gathering here." Ben added, "I'm sure Forever must be plotting something right now. And those Elementors are on his side."

"Given how doctor Creepy was when that fire one appeared, I doubt that," Max chimed in.

"Yeah but that guy has a habit of pissing off anyone." Makoto argued, "I'm sure Forever who seems a lot more smooth in his approach could talk them into helping."

"So what do you think is his next move?" Max asked.

"Probably...nothing good…" Ben sighed, recalling how easy it was for Forever to get under his skin and mess up his instincts.

---

Molly sighed returning home, she expected Max to be late again. Assuming what might be going on as her brother looked after him, she knew he'd be fine. If only they could stop thinking they could hide things from her. She stopped as she heard knocking at the door.

"Max? Your home early." she spoke, opening the door only to pause at who was standing on the other side.

"Hello Ma'am…" Forever spoke as his visor flashed, "Can Max...come out and play?" he asked as his Knights walked out from behind him.

-line break-

"...Tsubaki, we may have a problem," Rook spoke, earning the red head's attention as he walked in, "People have spotted people in armor in the neighborhood...near Max's home."

"?!...Forever must be trying to lure Max out," Tsubaki whispered, "...Rook, go get Mai and Noel. We're going to intercept them before things escalate."

"Understood," Rook nodded as he rushed off.

"Lets go." Tsubaki ordered as they began leaving, "Fixit, Ground Bridge!"

"Yes, ma'am!" Fixit saluted, "Should we inform Ben a-"

"No. If Ben and Makoto find out, then Max will find out and rush off..and that's what Forever wants!" Tsubaki shouted as Rook came back in with Mai and Noel.

"Right!" Fixit saluted again as he pushed the button with his other hand letting them run into the portal.

---

"Look...I don't know what you want with my son, but I swear if you touch a hair on his head…" Molly began with a frown, currently tied up as she glared at Forever.

"You'll run me through with that energy ninja sword of yours?" Forever responded, "It took me a while to narrow it down to you. But when I found your name and your file said you had a son named Max...well then it all made sense." he went on, "Your training is Plumber, specifically the branch that works under the N-tek cover, or rather you used to be...till you had your half alien son...a member of the Alien Tachyon race…" he went on, "But being he's only half...he can't regulate his Turbo energy."

"Wow...it is creepy you know all that so fast…" Molly replied.

"You are indeed Max's mother…" Forever groaned at that.

"So...how do you know so much about my family, Lancelot…?" Molly asked.

"Please don't compare me to that specific knight…" he sighed, "I have some class...but if you must know. I make it my business to acquire information. By any means, and a certain business partner knows all about you. And I do mean...All….even what happened to your husband." he spoke as Molly's eyes widened, "Not that he'd tell me...but believe me...Max is very important to him...or rather his Turbo Energy is."

"...You so much as harm my son...there is nowhere on Earth you can hide from me," Molly threatened, a serious look on her face.

"I welcome you...to try." Forever turned to her, "I could care less for what happens to you or the boy...but I always deliver. Sides...he's only half human…" he chuckled walking away.

"..." Molly said nothing as she sat there, glaring at him as he left the room.

---

"Gone...just like that…" Tsubaki spoke as they arrived at Max's home to find the mess it had been left in, "There was a struggle...a good one."

"Mrs McGrath did not go without a fight...but where did she go?" Rook added, "Forever is one of our smartest enemies at the moment. Who knows what horrible scheme he has created."

"All just to get Max…" Noel added, "He really went so far as to do this."

"It's sickening…" Mai frowned.

"Agreed," Tsubaki spoke with a scowl

"He wishes to lure Max into a confrontation, where he will no doubt enact his plan to capture Max," Rook spoke.

"We can't keep this a secret…" Noel added, "We do need to tell him…"

"Then we'll just be prepared for whatever scheme Forever has come up with." Tsubaki stated, "First off...we need to find and rescue max' mother...Mai?"

"...Oh no…" Mai sighed, knowing where she was going with this.

"We...need to…" Tsubaki replied.

"Mmm…" she complained,"...Is there even anything in here I can use to...ugh...taste and track them?

"Uhm…?" Noel looked around before she found what looked like part of a sleeve which was torn off in the struggle, "How about this? This shouldn't be that gross, right?"

"...Better then nothing," Mai muttered before holding her hand out, "Okay...give it to me."

"Hai," Noel nodded as she gave the torn sleeve to the bluenette, who stuck her tongue out and pressed it against the sleeve.

"...Okay...she...Oh wow. She really made it hard for them," Mai muttered, going through the memories in her mind, "Most of the damage is her tossing the goons around...oh...that one had to hurt...Forever was able to take her down with a shock from his glove."

"I see…" Tsubaki noted, "...Any idea where they might've taken her?"

"I'm looking…" Mai answered, closing her eyes as she focused, "They put her in chains to make sure she wouldn't break out…then they quickly went out using the stairs to go out the back…"

"Keep doing this. Rook and I will examine their escape path for more clues," Tsubaki ordered.

"I'll keep an eye on Mai." Noel offered.

"Let us be on our way then," Rook nodded, "Hopefully we c...I had almost performed the jinx there."

"I'm just glad you know how to spot them..." Tsubaki sighed as they ran off, unaware of the wind starting to pick up.

---

"...Getting that feeling again, Ben," Makoto spoke, "The weather's changing…"

"It has to be them…" Ben spoke up, "The rest of the Elementors or the Weatherbots."

"They are not subtle…" Makoto pointed out.

"Given what you've said about the latter, no kidding…" Max muttered, "...But just in case...Steel, any news on some freaky looking robots?"

=Nope...just guys dressed up as knights, even this one funny video of a jerk human trying to mess with one and getting beaten up= he laughed, playing a video of a Forever Knight beating some guy senseless with one hand =Hahahaha...humans make the funniest sounds when smacked=

"..."

=Oh right...I probably should have told you that one= Steel realized.

"Yes!" Makoto complained.

=In my defense…= he replayed the video =This is clearly the height of human comedy=

"...Something's in the background…" Max spoke as he looked at the video, "...Steel. Go back a few seconds and pause."

=Okay= he replied doing as commanded, =What are you looking at?=

"Stop looking at the guy's face as he's punched," Max made Steel move his eye to the side.

=Okay okay…=

"There...in the corner? Can you make that bigger?" Max asked.

=Please...childs play= Steel smirked.

"...hmm…" Max pondered as he looked closer, "...Makoto, can you come here?"

"Sure…" Makoto answered as she looked at the image closer, "Hmm...I think I see some Forever Knights trying to get someone back into that van there...she's really putting up a fight too despite being chained up."

"Yeah...but who are they taking?" Max asked.

"...Hmm…" Makoto muttered, "I have...a feeling." she pulled out her badge.

---

"Hmm?" Noel blinked, taking out her ringing badge, "Hello?"

=Noel...is there something you want to tell me?=

"Is...Max there?"

=Yes=

"Then no...not particularly…"

=Your voice is getting higher...You're hiding something=

"?! N...no I'm not."

=You're dangerously close to Chipmunk territory...wanna just tell me, 'cause there is this video of the Knights taking a lady...and I have this itching feeling...you know something…=

"Hey look! Mai is walking out the window in her trance! Gotta go!" Noel yelped, tossing her badge over her shoulder and into the closet before running off.

---

"Well...she wasn't lying about the Mai walking out a window thing...so...they are in detective mode...without me!" Makoto complained.

"Babe, you hate crime dramas…" Ben reminded.

"Yeah, unless I'm part of it!" Makoto argued before slumping, "Mou...it's not the same if the girls are doing it without me~"

"There there…" Ben sighed, patting her head, "You can solve this mystery, which I'm willing to bet will reunite us with our friends, and then you can guilt Tsubaki by fake crying into her shoulder 'till she cracks."

"You've done this before, haven't you?" Max asked.

"Yup/Hai," the two replied

"Well I got a bad feeling I can't explain...so mind helping me out here?" Max asked.

"You've come to the right friend!" Makoto cheered.

"I'd like to go on record that the only detective I like is Batman," Ben added, "I'm more into the 'waiting for the smart people to do this' part for me."

"Well that's what I was doing," Makoto smirked.

"Give him a second," Max replied.

"...Hey!" Ben realized.

"Babe, you know how I be," Makoto smirked, "Former intelligence agent after all~"

"This is why I dread birthdays and Christmas shopping for you," Ben replied, "Something tells me you are the 'sniff out the gifts' type."

"..."

"...You totally are, aren't you?"

"...Maybe...and certainly did not get in trouble with my mom and Tsubaki over it," Makoto muttered, shifting her eyes back and forth.

"Alright...I'm hiding your gifts in Alien X from now on," Ben sighed.

"Wha?!" Makoto gawked, her tail shooting up, "Ah man…"

=Not so smart now, huh, Ms. Blabbermouth?= Steel snarked.

"...I will harm you, and I will make it look like an accident."

=Telling me that just lets me know who to blame=

"Girls, girls, you're both pretty..." Ben spoke as he moved between the two.

=HEY! I am not a girl!=

"But maybe let's get back to who the Forever Knights had kidnapped for whatever purpose," Ben finished.

"...Fine…" Makoto muttered as she looked back at the screen, "Hmm...We may need to find a Forever Knight and interrogate them."

=And how can we do that?=

"Simple...every orginazation has one simple thing they have in common...a dumb grunt."

---

"...Okay...this was their last known location before moving," Mai whispered, looking out at a small gyro restaurant.

"...Gyros?" Rook raised a brow.

"Maybe they wanted some lunch," Noel guessed.

"That's...That sounds silly...but...I wouldn't be shocked." Tsubaki sighed, "But why Gyros?"

"Not sure myself," Mai shrugged before tensing, seeing someone coming out of the restaurant.

"Okay...I got thy number 1s, a few number 3s with chips, a few fish options with chips, a six with extra dip...a few teas, and a extra large number 2," a Forever Knight muttered as he stepped out, a dent on his helmet as he carried some bags of food, "Perfect...just gotta get back t' base and...oi. Oi, Gary! Where are you?!"

"...This can't be a coincidence…" Tsubaki whispered, "...But we can't past this opportunity up."

"Indeed. Perhaps we can interrogate him a-" Rook began.

"GET HIM!"

"Hmm? The bloody hell w-" the forever Knight began before he was suddenly tackled over...by Makoto, Max, and Ben as he was suddenly tied up, "Ahh! I've been shanghaied again! Oh, Gary will be most vexed with me."

=I can't believe that worked…= Steel deadpanned.

"Honestly, I figured it was a fifty-fifty chance…" Max explained, picking up the Knight, "I smell food…" he looked down at the takeout that somehow survived all that.

"Must've been buying lunch," Ben guessed.

"Would it be wrong to steal food from the bad guy?" Makoto asked.

"We just ate…" Max argued.

"I can eat again…" Makoto replied.

"Please don't. I do not have the riches to obtain another feast for another week," the knight pleaded.

"Are...you okay?" Ben asked, raising a brow.

"Aside from thine situation and the fear of the dangerous maiden wanting to eat the feast I procured? Yes."

"...did...you get into an incident?" Ben asked, pointing to the dent.

"Hmm? Oh no...I've had this since I've been a squire for thy king and thy fellow knights."

"...What did I tell you? There's always a dumb one," Makoto whispered to Max.

"Wait...why are you still...talking like that? I thought that Forever was done with that when he took over?" Ben pointed out.

"Oh he did. I just like doing it because of our heritage as knights," he replied, "Now can I please have thy feast back for my fellow knights, please? Gary will be very vexed if he learned I lost lunch again."

"Sure," Max replied, "If you don't mind us tagging along."

"Oh...well sure. Can those spying on us come along, too?"

"Su-wait...spying?"

"Ahem!" the three tensed, slowly turning to see Tsubaki and her group staring at them.

"Hi Boss...we can explain..." Max replied before a few moments of silence followed, "Okay, so we can't fully explain...but I got this bad feeling, we saw a vid of these guys kidnapping someone...so we tracked uh...what's your name?" he asked the Knight.

"Oh. It's Larry, my good sir."

"So we tracked Larry here," Max continued.

"..."

"Oh you're still mad." Max realized.

"That...and I think they know who it was who was kidnapped," Makoto noted, making the four tense up, "Ahh see?! I knew it!"

"...N...no we do not," Rook denied.

"You can't hide anything from me. Your mistake was involving Noel!" Makoto declared, pointing at said girl.

"Ano..I don't know anything about the woman captured!" Noel meeped before covering her mouth, "?!"

"...we never said it was a woman."

"Mmm!" she covered her mouth to keep from talking.

"You won't escape that easy~" Makoto smirked.

"Now Makoto...please just…" Tsubaki began.

"I've been saving this one for a while now…" Makoto reached into her tail and pulled out a plush animal of Pikachu, "Come on Noel...information for the cuddly Pikachu~"

"..."

"...Noel be strong," Mai whispered.

"If you boop it's nose, he says 'I love you' in Pokemon speak~" Makoto added.

"?!"

"...Noel pl-" Tsubaki began.

"We were tracking the Forever Knights because they captured Max's mom to lure out Max!" Noel caved as she became a blur and snatched the Pikachu from Makoto, "Mmm~! Fwuffy Pika~"

"...wait. What was that about my mom?!" Max exclaimed in shock.

"Noel!" Tsubaki complained.

"...I have no regrets…" Noel replied, 'Now I got something to go with Eevee and Vuplix for a fwuffy trio!'

"Told you she was getting more sassy," Makoto smirked before blinking in realization, "Wait what…"

"Well...no point hiding it." Mai added.

"Plus it seems like Max would have found out regardless of if we hid it or not." Rook sighed.

"Uh yeah!" Max complained, "Ah...if my Mom was any kind of normal mom...I'd be a lot more panicked. But according to my Uncle Forge...Mom is like a kick butt super ninja…"

"She did knock out like 20 knights before they captured her." Mai added.

"Might explain the dent," Ben noted, pointing to Larry's dented helmet.

"Woulds thou believe it twas smaller before the lady smacked me with thy vase?" Larry asked.

"Yes...yes we do believe it." Makoto and Ben replied.

"I mean I'm still worried...but I'm willing to bet even by the time we find her she's busted out." Max groaned, "Alright...let's just pretend none of the last few minutes never happened and lets go find my Mom."

=I've already deleted the last couple minutes of this for my own mental health= Steel replied.

"...We might as well stick together then," Tsubaki sighed, "Now let's hurry and go rescue Max' mom before something happens."

"Like the weather suddenly picking up?" Makoto asked.

"Yes l….the Weatherbots are back are they?" Tsubaki sighed.

"Worse…" the group of Ben, Makoto, Max and Steel replied.

"...The other Elementors," Tsubaki realized.

"And Max is out here...in the open.." Mai added.

=I'm hiding his energy, not even your crazy mad scientist friend could find him…= Steel added.

"...Okay. New plan...we hurry and rescue Max's mother, we have Fixit open a portal for us to escape in, and then we prepare to fight the other Elementors," Tsubaki stated, "One half will distract as many guards as we can while the other half sneaks in and goes to rescue Max's mom."

"So...who's the most distracting amongst us?" Makoto asked as everyone looked at her, Ben and Max.

=Oh no…= Steel realized.

---

"...Dang it. Where's Larry with our lunch?" a Forever knight muttered, standing outside of a large unlabeled building and before a large door.

"Maybe he got lost again, Gary…" a second one added.

"...He better not. I don't want another incident where he spent our money on King Author memorabilia…" the first muttered.

"Did he ever put back that replica of Excalibur from the display?"

"Shit…" one cursed.

"...Oh Forever is not gonna li-"

"SPOON!" Makoto declared as she shot by slapped the three upside the head, causing their helmets to spin around.

"Ahh! I can't see!"

"Intruder!"

"Where?!"

"I can't tell! My helmet is backwards!"

"Mine too!"

"Me three!"

"Heh heh...ahh this is too good," Makoto chuckled as the three knights managed to fix their helmets.

"There she is! Call the others a-" Gary began before he felt a pair of fingers tap him on the shoulders...making him turn to see Omni-Enhanced FourArms and Max standing right behind them, "...Parlay?"

"Only works for pirates, dude…" Max stated.

"Hehehe." Fourarms chuckled as he punched Gary out.

"No wait we!" the other two began as Max grabbed them by the helmet and bashed them into one another.

"That should alert some guards," Max grinned, mentally counting down before a loud blaring noise was heard, "...Yup. Called it."

"Been meaning to vent after dealing with creepy doc Relius...may as well take it out on some grunts," Makoto grinned, banging her gauntlets together as mpre Forever Knights began to storm out.

"Steel...Go Turbo Strength!" Max shouted as changed to his hulking Strength Mode.

"Come get us, guys," Fourarms challenged.

"GET THEM!" the lead knight shouted as they charged, unaware of Tsubaki and the others slipping into an opened window as Fourarms and his team began to fight the knights.

"You know...it's almost unfair!" Max spoke as he grabbed a Knight and used him as a club to beat his friends and co-workers, he then spun around and tossed him at a large group of them, "We got all this muscle...and they got so few goons."

"Agreed" Makoto laughed, jumping over a pair of knights as they crashed into one another before landing behind one and delivered a left hook the the back of his head, "They just don't make grunts like they used to!"

"Don't get to cocky guys! Who knows what weird new tech they got!" Fourarms grunted swinging a lariat with his lower arm as he knocked over several Knights in one swing, "But...this is really fun." he swung a backhand that sent a Knight flying off and through a wall.

=Oddly it is= Steel admitted

---

"...Everything seems to be clear," Rook whispered, poking out from behind a corner as he looked into a large storage room.

"Now where could they have put her…" Noel began, "Max's mom is very scrappy...so she must have caused a lot of trouble on the way in."

"...she's probably in a room on the far side of the storage area, or inside one of the crates," Tsubaki guessed, "Mai?"

"Hmm…." Mai mummered, closing her eyes as she looked through the memories again, "...I can't pinpoint it…"

"It must have been too long now." Tsubaki sighed, "And Forever has a lot of info on all of us. He must have planned for your ability."

"...Shoot," Mai muttered, "So now what are we gonna do?"

"...We'll have to split up," Tsubaki suggested, "Mai, you and Noel check the crates. Me and Rook are gonna look for a door."

"Hai," Noel nodded as they two rushed off quietly, making sure to avoid any cameras.

"Rook, keep an eye out for any suspicious activity."

"Understood," rook nodded, keeping his Proto-Tool ready as they began to search.

"Oh this is gonna be a long one…" Mai sighed.

"Hai…" Noel sighed as they began to check some of the crates, "You hear anything Mai?"

"No."

"...Wish Makoto was here…".

"She is...oddly good at this." Mai admitted.

"Agreed...oh!" Noel gasped, "I think I know who could help!"

"Eh?" Mai blinked before something rustled inside Noel's outfit before it reached her collar and poked its head out, "...isn't that one of the minks Animo had?"

"Hai, I kept her with me," Noel nodded as the Mink slid itself out of her Proto-armor, "Okay Mari...need your help finding someone inside this room."

"...Mari?" Mai repeated as Noel put the Mink down.

"I...may have had Brand New Animal on the mind," Noel admitted...before she slumped, "I miss that show…"

"I think it will come out in several more years.'

"The wait is still too long!" Noel argued.

"Nevermind…" Mai sighed, "Let's see if she can help."

Mari began to sniff around a bit, her tail swaying a bit as she scurried about and began to examine each crate and every part of the room.

"...I am surprised how fast Noel was able to tame one of Animo's creations," Rook noted.

"She just has a thing for cute creatures." Mai sighed.

"You should've seen her when she finds cute animals in the woods near the academy," Tsubaki added, "...She did not want to leave that family of bunnies…"

"I still miss them…" Noel sighed.

Mari continued to sniff the area, stopping near a wall as she began to sniff each part of it...before her tail shot up as she began to claw a bit at the wall.

"Oh...on the other side of this wall?" Noel noted, "We'd have to walk all the way around to find the door."

"May I suggest we borrow a page from Ben and Makoto's book of heroics?" Rook offered.

"Oh I get it." Mai realized.

"I do too…" Tsubaki sighed, "But..we are in a hurry….so we may as well smash our way through a-" she began before Mari held her paws up...her claws popping out before she became a blur and began to slash the wall...until a part of it collapsed and cut into pieces, "...Or that. We can do that…"

"Aw...who's a cute little deadly weapon!" Noel cheered, picking up Mari as the little mink trilled from the affection.

"Alright let's…" Tsubaki began before a guard was tossed out of the hole in the wall. Making them all look as the ground was covered in beaten Knights, several chained up and dangling from the ceiling.

"Oh…" Molly spoke as she stepped over one of the Knights, "Well...this is awkward...I already kind of saved myself."

"...Well...this was fast…" Mai noted with a mutter.

"I would have escaped faster, but it took me a while to escape the chains," Molly replied, "Oh you must be the new kids Magister Tennyson is always telling me about."

"...ahem! Y-yes...yes we are, ma'am," Tsubaki answered, clearing her throat to get that awkward feeling out of the way, "Now let's hurry and leave before Forever takes notice..and we'd have to deal with him and living weather disasters from both sides."

"I do not miss this life…" Molly sighed not even confused or shocked by any of that.

"I don't know...I don't think we could live any other way anymore." Noel muttered with Mari resting over her shoulders.

"Hai…" Mai sighed with Rook nodding in agreement.

"Should we tell the others to stop?" Noel asked, before the wall suddenly collapsed as Max ran through while tackling a group of Forever Knights, "Nevermind."

"High score!" Max cheered, "That's 45 for me Ben, I win!"

"Uh no way! I totally won!" Fourarms argued as he flashed back into Ben, "I got 50 of those guys!"

"Oh boys~!" the two turned...to see Makoto 'cutely' sitting on top of a pile of Forever Knights, "69~...oh wait..." she reached into her tail and threw one of her old tonfas ate six that tried to get up, knocking them out before catching the tonfa, "75~"

"...you really lucked out with this girl, man," Max whispered with wide eyes.

=I believe the term is 'I call shenanigans!'= Steel snapped.

"Oh you just love making me mad, don't you?" Makoto huffed, hopping off the pile as she walked over to them.

=I will when you stop threatening to crush me like a tincan, Squirrel Girl...oh wait. That character usually has a smaller squirrel as a sidekick..and bigger buckteeth=

"You…!" Makoto began before Ben rubbed behind her ear, "?! ...Mmmm~"

"I am gonna have to do this a lot…" Ben sighed.

"No k-" Max began before he soon took quick notice of Molly, "...Eh heh...hey mom…"

=Heart rate increasing, are we in danger?= Steel asked.

"You are.." Molly frowned a bit, "But I'm just relieved your safe Max…"

"Phew…"

"But when we get to your uncle's place...you are going to explain yourself."

"Ah man…" Max slumped.

"Trust me man...I know how y-" Ben began before the wind started to pick up, "...guys…"

"Fixit, we need a Groundbridge now," Rook spoke in his communicator.

=On it!=

"Huh? Wha happuh?" Makoto blinked once Ben stopped scratching behind her ear, "...why's the wind picking up?"

"Wind?" Ben asked, turning around before...

"Rah!" Air's voice suddenly growled as he appeared from his namesake and tackled Max into the Ground bridge portal.

"MAX!"

---

"AH!" Max cried as he was slammed into a wall inside of the N-Tek base, "What?"

"Found you...Max…" Air growled slamming him through a wall till they burst into the science lab.

"Gah!" Max cried as he was tossed to the ground.

"Grrr…" Air looked around before blasting a wall with a tornado like gust of wind, it tore through the wall before the rest of him went through.

"Oh...I just got my ass kicked…" Max groaned, "By air…"

Air tore down a wall as he found the holding facility. He growled and looked around before seeing Earth inside of a holding cell.

"Air!"

"You idiot…" he growled as he smashed the control console making the energy barrier fade away, "Get moving...we have a target to take in...alive."

"Alive?!"

"Got a problem with that?"

"...No…"

"Then help me you idiot!"

"Okay okay!"

"Oh no…" they turned to see a Plumber agent seeing them.

With that Air held his hand out at the Agent, smirking before blasting a tornado from his palm.

---

"Max!" the others shouted, finding him.

"I'm...not feeling so good." Max grunted, pushing himself up.

"Hold on buddy…" Ben said as he and Rook helped him up

"What happened to the…" Rook began before the wall was torn open by the Air and Earth Elementor, "Nevermind…"

"Give me...the boy…" Air growled.

"Now…" Earth added.

"...No. We won't," Tsubaki scowled, bringing her sword and shield out

"And what can you do to harm us?"

"Simple...KAJUN, NOW!"

"For the record this is only half ready!" Kajun shouted as the Elementors were suddenly flanked by four large towers, the Elementors looked around before blue energy surged out and pinned both to the ground.

"What...is...happening?!" Earth asked.

"Turbo...energy...you are trying to attack us directly…" Air realized, "Attacking our cores…"

"Correct," Kajun replied, "By attacking your cores, your bodies won't be able to maintain their physical forms, thus causing them to break down and leave your cores behind for us to seal up."

"Clever humans...but you forget...we are four…" Air smiled.

"I don't like that smirk." Max spoke as suddenly the walls began creaking, everyone looked around before the pipes within ripped through the walls.

The pipes began expelling water hitting everyone at random and knocking them over. The water began spiralling till it formed into the Water Elementor.

"...I forgot the water one…" Kajun groaned as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Not just me…" Water smirked before the wall suddenly exploded, letting Fire stomp in.

With that Water swung his arm and sliced the towers, destroying them. Air and Earth growled getting back to their feet.

"Your mistake...humans, was thinking you were superior," Air growled standing tall as he floated up, "Normally I'd demand you surrender...but...we're just going to kill you all."

"And I will enjoy it immeasurably…" Fire added as he formed a fireball.

"...Ben…" Makoto began in worry.

"I know I'm not supposed to..." Ben began as he turned towards Tsubaki.

"At the moment...I think we can forgive it." Tsubaki replied.

"Kill the Omnitrix user...but we bring in the Tachyon brat and the traitor!" Air ordered as he flew forward and tackled Max, slamming him into and grinding him up the wall.

"Burn!" Fire cackled as he blasted flames at the others.

"Ben…!" Mai and Noel freaked.

"Transforming!" Ben yelped, he slapped the Omnitrix in a panic not even sure what he set. Everyone blinked as a bright blue light blocked the flames, "Shock Rock...Well I was hoping for something watery...but in hindsight...this might be better!" he spoke forming a barrier around them to keep the flames away.

"The Fulmini…!" Earth growled.

"Oh right they really hate this guy!" Shock Rock panicked as he swung his hand out and formed a hammer he used to bash Earth upside the head once his barrier went down, "Okay so...I can mold energy into constructs...brain...please please don't fail me now!"

"Noel, you, Rook and Mai go and help escort any injured agents out of teh base," Tsubaki quickly ordered before running off with Kajun, "Makoto, you and Ben hold these three back! Kajun and I will go warn Forge what's happening!"

"G...WAIT, WHAT?!" Makoto gawked.

"Hmph...can't let that happen…" Water spoke as he chased after the two, leaving Fire and Earth to deal with Shock Rock and Makoto.

"I hate when this happens." Shock Rock sighed before Fire blasted him into a wall.

"Uh...Fire...Fire...trade me enemies!" Earth spoke as Fire tackled Shock Rock.

"NO!"

"...well...since its you…" Makoto began as she grinned, bringing her gauntlets out as she banged them together, "I can go all out~"

"Oh Quiznak…" Earth grumbled.

---

"Ugh...Steel, any...ideas?" Max asked as he got up, "Getting beaten up by air...again."

=Not a lot I can think of with this ringing in our head…= Steel groaned, =But your energy hurt him once...lets go with that and see where it takes us=

"Better tan nothing I guess...Steel, let's…!" Max began before a tornado blast slammed him in the chest, sending him flying back, "Gah!"

"You honestly think I'd let you transform?" Air asked as he stomped in.

"It's common courtesy…" Max groaned, pushing himself up before narrowly avoiding another tornado.

"Well I won't let you get the chance, boy!" Air roared as he fired another tornado at Max.

"Then I gotta get one!" Max rolled out of the way of a tornado blast before charging at Air.

Max grunted as he dodged another blast before jumping and tackling into Air who was still corporeal and was pushed back. The two tumbled around before slamming into the ground. Max grunted as he released more of his Turbo energy as he grabbed onto Air, he pulled with all he had, pulling the Elementor down and punching him across the face. Air growled before blasting Max with another gust of condensed wind as it pinned him against a wall.

"You...thought you could defeat me?" Air asked as he stopped the gust, letting Max fall...before a second gust slammed him back into the wall, "You're a fool for thinking you can defeat me...and come out alive!"

"Ugh...I guess I figured air wouldn't hit so hard…" he laughed before Air grabbed him and tossed him into some crates.

Air growled before he formed a wind spout under Max lifting him up into the ceiling before letting him drop down. He held his arms out as he formed two tornado blasts that curved around and pushed more crates into Max crushing him under a massive pile.

"Not so cocky now, boy…"

"Steel...Let's go Turbo!"

"?!" Air tensed before the crates that were on top of Max shot off of him, letting him stand fully in his Strength armor, "...You tricked me…"

"Not so tricked. More like...goaded you into providing me cover," Max quipped as he flexed his arms.

With that the two clashed as they gripped one another's hands in an attempt to overpower the other. Sparks flew off Max's armor as Air growled. The two clashed heads to glare at each other more directly.

---

"Damn it...I'm so sorry for what happened, Molly," Forge sighed

"We can talk after this is all over." Molly spoke, "Right now we need to get everyone out of here, and find a way to stop the Elementors."

"Right!" Forge nodded.

"But that is easier said than done. Not even Jim could take them down…" Molly sighed.

"Max isn't Jim…" Forge spoke, "For one...he's half you, and you never gave up. And second...he's got friends that will fight with him to the end." he smiled.

"...es. That is t-"

"GH!" Tsubaki's voice grunted fmo behind the door, "Kajun, are you okay?!"

"I..am pulling through!" Kajun's voice replied, "If only I had time for a counter for it…"

"And you think we'd give you the time?" Water asked.

"All four at once though...is new." Forge sighed, "Earth and Fire were one thing...but Water and Air…?"

"Gh!" Tsubaki grunted as she and Kajun were blasted into the room by a stream of water.

"...Are a different story entirely."

"Hahaha…" Water laughed, ripping the wall apart to get in, "Inferior life forms…you thought you could stop us? We command the very elements that rule your planet, we are a superior life form, you...are doomed and obsolete!"

"...that's...where you're wrong," Tsubaki grunted as she stood up, "You say humanity is a doomed species...but your wrong. We humans have evolved throughout history...to face and deal with whatever comes our way."

"You mean eachother…" Water inched forward, "But you've never faced a threat...like us…" he formed his arm and formed it into a long spike he scraped along the ground cutting through it with the pressurized water at the tip.

"True...but while you share the power of the elements…" Tsubaki began, slipping something into the handle of her sword before it took a light blue-ish hue, "You also share their weaknesses!"

"Silence!" he shouted, swinging at Tsubaki as she ducked under his arm, she spun around and swung her sword slashing through most of the Elementor's torso, she slid around before slamming into a wall, as the Elementor began turning around, a cracking sound could be heard. Ice began to crept up his body until he was turned totally into an ice sculpture.

"And now for the core," Tsubaki whispered as she sheathed her sword into her shield, converting it a bit until it resembled a bow with the string made of a light-ish blue energy. She quickly slotted something into the bow, causing the light-blue to be replaced with a fiery red before she pulled the 'string' back, causing an arrow to appear within it as she aimed at Water's chest, "...Let my aim be true...let justice...be done," she whispered before letting the arrow fly straight into the frozen Elementor's chest. A few moments past before the 'sculpture' exploded, a small fiery energy phoenix seen within the falling shards for a moment before fading, leaving nothing icy dust and a large chunk of ice with Water's core stuck within.

"...Perfect," Kajun smiled a bit as she caught the ice chunk with Water's Core, "My Variable Proto-Tool is a success."

"Variable Proto-Tool?" Forge repeated.

"Something I developed for Tsubaki in my freetime," Kajun answered, pulling out a container as she slipped the frozen core into it, "It works almost like Rook's Proto-Tool, but I've changed a few features and added an elemental feature like with Makoto's Proto-Gauntlets. It has the basic sword and shield mode and a bow and gun mode, but it also has a twin-blade mode if Tsubaki wants to get in and deal with some fast attacks, a long-sword mode for swift and fast attacks, a hammer mode for more defense heavy enemies, and two unique features to it...a Charge Blade mode and a Kinship glaive mode."

"Kajun…" Tsubaki spoke up as she held her free hand up, "Breath...your face is turning blue."

"Ahem. A..apologies," Kajun muttered, clearing her throat as she took a deep breath.

"It worked perfectly." Tsubaki smiled, "Clever idea funneling Max's excess energy into batteries."

"Well I haven't been able to make them last long." Kajun chuckled as Tsubaki's weapon powered down and reverted to normal.

"Still a good job regardless," Forge spoke, "Now I can see why Magister Tennyson chose you two as his head of R&D and Second in command."

"We are just trying our best." Tsubaki sighed.

"One down...three to go." Kajun added, before flinching as Earth bust through the wall...before falling apart.

"I hate humans…" he groaned.

"Hahaha! Beat my own record!" Makoto cheered, "By the way...anyone see my boyfriend...kinda made of blue energy and hard to miss."

"...he's not with you?" Molly asked before an explosion went off somewhere, "?!"

"STAND STILL!" Fire's voice snapped.

"...Nevermind. I think he's in the hanger, dear," Molly answered.

"How can you tell?"

*BOOM!*

"...because I think that was one of the tanks that exploded," Forge sighed.

"Yeah that's my guy." Makoto smiled, "Kajun, tag and bag rocky!"

"How did you break his head off at the exact same spot?" Kajun asked, putting Earth's head in a containment pod with help from Forge.

"Mmm hmm," Makoto shrugged before running off, "Hold on, babe! Imma comin'~!"

"Aw...those two are cute." Molly smiled.

"Where is Max?" Tsubaki asked.

They turned to another sound on the other end of the building. Kajun quickly brought up the security system showing Max and Air duking it out in a large secondary hangar. The two wrestled around as Max was able to punch Air's face, knocking him away.

=Guys...I could use a real smart plan...I am literally punching the air right now!= Max spoke over his helmet's communication system.

=Even if we can hit it sometimes and it's core, we can't really stop him like the other three!= Steel added =If he gets away, we're not gonna be able to stop from breaking the other three out again! Then we'll have Four living natural disasters hunting us for the rest of our lives...and I just got a life back!=

"...not good…" Tsubaki whispered before pulling her badge out, "Mai, have you, Rook and Noel escorted everyone else out of the base yet?"

=We're trying as fast as we can. Fixit and Berto are doing their best with the Groundbridge= Mai answered.

=We're trying our best to fix it after that Elementor crashed in!= Fixit shouted.

"...Come on, Kajun...think…" Kajun whispered, putting her fingers against her forehead as she began to think and ponder, "Ice bet water...force beat Earth, water can be Fire, but wind…vacuum...no. He could counter it...think think think…! Mou...if only I had more time to work with Max and..." a look of realization began to grow on her face, "...that's it…"

"Something up? Tsubaki asked.

"I need to get a hold of both Max and Ben. They could be the key to beating the last Elementor."

"I'll get a hold of Makoto." Tsubaki nodded.

---

"Woah boy!" Makoto yelped as she skidded to a halt, stopping before she could run into a trail of fire as Shock rock and Fire were still going at it.

"So far no issues with the watch...I guess the watch wanted me to turn back into Shock Rock…" he groaned, forming another shield to block the flames, "Good to know!"

"There won't be any remains of you when I incinerate you!" Fire roared.

"He really doesn't like us…" Makoto muttered.

"We have that effect on people!" Shock Rock spoke, making a large buster sword as he swung it down and the next wave of fire, parting it away from him and Makoto.

"Very much so!" Makoto laughed.

"WILL YOU SHUT UP!?"

"Uh we are a healthy couple who communicate, so no...we will always talk about how we feel." Shock Rock argued forming a shield before spinning around and tossing it like frisbee as it struck Fire in the face knocking him back, "For example? That made me feel amused."

"And I enjoyed it!" Makoto laughed before her badge went off, "...I got it," she muttered as she answered, "Nanaya here. Wassup?"

=Ah good...I got a hold of you, I need you and Ben to do something for me to take down the last two Elementors= Kajun answered

"Oh? What is it?"Makoto asked

=I need you two to do what your good at...make things explode violently=

"What?" Makoto blinked.

=I need you...to blow up=

"I feel conflicted…"

=No time for bits, move where I tell you and make things explode!=

"Okay okay!" Makoto yelped.

"What is it!?" Shock Rock asked forming twin axes as he slashed Fire across the chest before the Elementor tackled him into a wall.

"Uh...Babe...how do you feel about exploding?" Makoto asked.

"Not to keen on...I'm gonna have to explode something aren't I?" he grunted as he punched Fire away.

"Smart ladies orders!" Makoto shouted over the fighting.

"Welp...if I have permission then…" Shock Rock smirked as he formed a riot shield and used it to crash Fire into and through a wall.

"Grr! What are you doing?!"

"Depends...Do you like explosions?"

"Left!" Makoto shouted as they crashed through more walls, "Right! Another Left and keep going straight!"

"You got it!"

---

Max and Air tumbled around as they crashed from wall to wall in their wrestling match. They grunted pushing each other back before Max swung his glowing fist and struck Air across the face making the core in his head spark. Air growled in pain and rage as he swung both hands forward as two tornado like blasts struck Max slamming him through a wall.

"Gh! That all...you got ya big blowhard?" Max asked with a smirk, "I barely felt that breeze!"

=Technically, we got hit with the power of a category 5 hurricane= Steel stated.

"Dude...don't ruin the joke."

"Hmm...fine...then let's see if you can deal with the wrath...of a category 10 Hurricane," Air stated as the wind began to steadily pick up around him.

"Uh, dude? I may only be in high school, but even I know that hurricanes only go up to Category 5," Max noted.

"Shows what you weak fleshbags know!"

=Max, that much energy...if his blast gets outside=

"Yeah...not good...for anyone," Max grunted, "Please tell me you have a secret form I don't know of, Steel…"

=I'm thinking! I kinda have no memory of what I even do when linked to something! Kinda been flying blind!=

"Well we can use a miracle right about now!" Max exclaimed before the wall next to him suddenly exploded, "?!"

"We made it!" Makoto shouted as Shock Rock tossed Fire at Air, knocking them both over.

"Finally...I think I was sweating plasma," Shock Rock muttered as he stood beside Max, "How're you holding up, Max?"

"Barely holding up...You came in the nick of time, man," Max answered as Fire and Air growled once they got back up, "...Please tell me you got a plan to take these guys down?"

"We...got something…" Makoto replied.

"It's...a complicated plan the smart ones came up with," Shock Rock added.

"...You want me to blow up, don't you?" Max realized.

=Technically yes and no= Kajun answered from Makoto's Badge =Basically I want Ben to pour some of his power as Shock Rock into a projectile weapon you can produce, Max=

=You want me...to channel all that?= Steel asked with a sigh.

=Not all of it. Just enough to knock both Elementros out of their current forms to give us enough time to seal them away= Kajun clarified.

"I am going on record with...I hate this plan!" Max spoke, reverting to his base form, "Alright...let's do it!"

"Alright. You might feel a slight tingling sensation," Shock Rock said as he put his hands on Max's back.

"I better not turn into a weapon or a vehicle or something," Max muttered.

"I caught that reference," Makoto whispered as Shock Rock began to pour some energy into Max' armor.

"Grr...Get off me!" Air snapped as he pushed Fire off him.

"Not my fault! That blasted human that can turn into a Fulmini wouldn't stop breaking walls using me!" Fire argued.

"Ugh...This plan is such a mess thanks to you and Earth!"

"Thanks to me and Earth!? I get Earth since he got caught, but why me?!"

"Because you went for the Omnitrix brat!"

"Because I wanted to prevent him from transformi-what's that light?"

"Light?" Air repeated as the two turned, seeing Max's armor starting to glow with the same energy as Shock Rock.

"Oh that tingles…" Max spoke.

=It's too much...we need to release it! Best option: the chest connection port!=

"Here goes something!" Max shouted as Steel popped off just as a massive blast of energy shot from his chest armor. The two Elementors could only gawk as the beam swallowed them up.

---

"How will we know when…" Tsubaki began before the entire base began shaking like a horrible earthquake.

"There it goes," Kajun, Fixit, and Berto noted in unison.

"...I've got to stop questioning your methods," Tsubaki sighed, "But for now...let's hurry and find Ben, Makoto, and Max."

---

"I can't see…" Ben's voice groaned, indicating he changed back.

"I can't move…" Max groaned.

"I'm fine," Makoto spoke up, revealing the explosion knocked everyone over, with Max at the base of the dogpile, while Makoto landed on top of Ben pinning him face down.

=Ow...never...again…= Steel groaned nearby =All my systems...say 'no'...to doing that...ever again…=

"Hey...you're not the one who was channeling all that energy…" Max groaned as he managed to lift his head up, managing to see the cores of both Fire and Air lying on the ground, "Least...we beat 'em."

"Phwa!" Ben gasped for air, "And...we made a new skylight."

"Wow...that blast must have been huge," Makoto looked up at the upward aimed hole that had been burned through by the beam, "...hope nobody notices that."

"The explosion came from in h-WHAT HAPPENED?!" Tsubaki's voice exclaimed once she and the others arrived.

"You told me to…" Max groaned.

"Well...at least we have the lightsky-GH!-skylight now," Fixit noted.

"In retrospect…" Kajun muttered, "I forgot just how much energy Max can release."

"Yeah...you did," Tsubaki sighed in a slight annoyed tone before she noticed Forge and Molly walk in, "?! ...I..I can explain."

"Don't," Forge replied, holding a hand up, "Did you catch the Elementors?"

"Yes," Makoto replied.

"Then we're good," Forge stated, "Plus, this gives the tech heads here a chance to do those upgrades they've been requesting."

"Indeed," Kajun nodded as Berto and Fixit quickly got the last two Elementor Cores into some containers.

"So long as those things a-" Max began before Molly ran over and hugged him, "GH?! Pain pain…"

"Oh. Sorry dear," Molly whispered as she lightened up on the hug, "I'm just glad you're okay…"

"Eh...a little tired...but I've been worse," Max replied as his helmet vanished.

"Good," Molly spoke with a small nod.

"Yep. ...So...You knew about this?" Max asked, earning a nod from her, "...I'm in huge trouble, aren't I?"

"...oh big time. But...I'm just glad you're okay." she sighed, "We have a lot to talk about after this."

---

"So let me understand this. I go out to speak with our current client about how we caught his little intruder...and you lose her," Forever calmly noted.

"Quite yes, my liege," Larry nodded.

"And the reason you let your guards down was because one of you was caught and led Ben Tennsyon and his companions here and not just Max Steel," Forever calmly added.

"Yes, sir. It was Larry who led them here," Gary replied.

"Uh-huh...And why was Larry out there and not here?"

"Well, we sent him out to get some food and…"

"You sent Larry out to get food, knowing very well he doesn't take his suit off out in public."

"Oh! Er...um...that is…" Gary began before choking, "Gh!"

"Oh, Gary…" Forever sighed as he removed his blade, letting him collapse and grab the stabbed leg, "Consider that your last warning. One more mistake like that and, well...I believe Relius could use an...intern." he looked at Larry, "Larry."

"Yes, my liege?"

"You did good with the situation you were in," Forever stated, "Take tomorrow off."

"Oh! Yes, my liege!" Larry beamed

"Uh Sir…" Gary began.

"I have big plans...and frankly...I don't need Larry messing them up due to one of you telling him to do something," Forever replied, "Also...it saves me a headache...Oh right, someone patch up Gary…" he began walking off.

"..."

"Well...I do believe this was a nice yet interesting day. Correct, Gary?" Larry asked.

"..."

"...Gary?"

"God….damn it...Larry…"

---

"Whew...man, what a week this was," Max sighed as he was busy packing some stuff up into a suitcase, "Started off being chased by bullies as usual...then I ended up meeting Ben 10 of all people and next thing I knew? I'm now a superhero in training, dealt with some huge threats and some pseudo-wind weasels made by that animo guy...and now I'm already moving out to learn the hero trade some more."

=Was that directed at me, or are you talking to yourself in the thor person?= Steel asked as he floated nearby.

"...Yep."

=That doesn't really answer the question=

"I know," Max smiled.

=...You're trolling me, aren't you?=

"It's what I do," Max smiled as he closed the suitcase, "Okay...I think that's everything."

=Clothing?=

"Yup."

=Toothbrush?=

"Y-" Max began before he turned, seeing Molly holding a toothbrush before him,"..."

"How will you get along without me…?" Molly sighed.

"I don't know...Tsubaki is kinda Mom levels of in control of things," Max laughed.

=Considering she seems to be the oldest of the group based on personality, I'm not surprised= Steel noted.

"Mom...I'll be fine," Max assured, "I got Steel...and a lot of new friends." he smiled, "But I am gonna miss you...I'll be home as often as I can. Berto and Fixit are gonna be working on the Ground Bridge system with Kajun's little Galvan assistants...and then I can literally come over anytime I want."

"Just be sure to call me whenever you can," Molly said before giving him a small motherly smile, "And please try and stay out of trouble."

"..." Max looked at Steel, "Eh...I'll...I promise to try."

=What?= Steel asked as everyone just stared at him =...What?!=

"You know what you do…" Max deadpanned before Molly hugged him, "?"

"I didn't expect this to happen until after you graduated," Molly noted, "Please, just make sure to stay safe when you can."

"I will," Max promised.

=I apologize for interrupting a tender moment, but I received a message from Tsubaki= Steel spoke =She wants you to hurry so she can sign you up for the Plumbers apprenticeship program...and many stacks of paperwork=

"Huh? Paperwork?" Max blinked

=Yes...some of which might take all night possibly=

"...You knew about this, didn't you, Mom?" Max complained.

"Maybe~" she smiled.

"Not cool," Max chuckled.

"Hey, I've had to do those as well. Best advice is to put some ice on your wrist for a few minutes after every other stack," Molly advised.

"Gotcha," Max nodded.

=Makoto sent another text…'hurry up before you miss out on burgers and fries from the Burger Shack and have to deal with paperwork'=

"Oh...you know they won't leave anything at all…" Max laughed.

=No...no they will not=

---

"Okay...Tsubaki and the others are busy with Max at HQ, Animo is locked up, and the rest of the evening is just you and me," Ben noted as he walked into their home, "What shall we do, Makoto?" he asked before noticing the squirrel girl wasn't with him, "...Makoto?" he looked around, "Babe? Uh...Best Girl ever?" he kept trying to get a response, "This is either gonna be awesome...or you are trying another prank, in which case...no matter how much I love you...please do not scare me right now...please?" he sniffed the air, "...Huh." he sniffed again, "Chili powder, onion, and a hint of pepper. ...Makoto, did you order Chili-Fries?"

"May~be~" Makoto's voice answered with a small giggle, "Have to find me to find out~"

"Is it possible to be both afraid and aroused at the same time?" Ben asked mostly to himself as he began to follow the smell. After a few more moments of searching, he stopped and smelled the scent coming fmo Makoto's room, "...babe…"

"Come in and find out…" Makoto's voice challenged from within the room.

"..." Ben took a moment to try and guess what might happen next, he had several scenarios...not so proud to admit more than half were very...saucy. After a few more moments of thinking, he slowly opened the door...to see a large plate of chili-fries on the squirrel girl's bed, "...wait...that's it?" he blinked as he walked in, "I...don't know what to feel honestly...I mean...I'm still hungry." he then paused as the door closed behind him, "There it is!"

He spun around and his eyes widened with his face lighting up in a blush. Pressing her back against the door was Makoto, wearing a rather...revealing...attire. It was mainly orange with hints of black and white to it. The skirt could barely be considered on as it was barely held together on the hips and the black thong she wore was nearly fully visible no matter the way one would look. Black leggings hugged her legs all the way down to her orange and white boots with bits of gold and black. On her hands were a pair of black fingerless gloves while her chest was barely contained in a sleeveless orange and white top that exposed the underside of her chest. The smile on her face was both amused, excited, and interested.

"Ahh….words...failing...brain...not in control...hormones...aaahhhh…." Ben gawked as his mouth was hanging open.

"Heh heh….ahh I knew that would be your reaction," Makoto noted with a giggle.

"...I wish I could comment on how amazing you look...but...brain...currently...lacking proper amount of blood circulation…" Ben admitted, "So this...this is your old fighting attire...huh?"

"Eeyup," Makoto nodded, "Really helped me move around fast during my missions and in fights. I've beaten many a guy, and an occasional gal, in this getup." she sauntered up to Ben, her hips swaying as she got over to him, "But this is now just. for. you."

"...welp...my brain's dead…" he muttered, "Is...is this going where part of me is thinking it is?"

"May~be," Makoto replied, pecking his cheek with a kiss.

"...Final question before I shut up and roll with this...am I gonna need a safe word?" Ben cautiously asked.

"Nnnope," Makoto shook her head, "Just you and me...and no interruptions from anyone~"

"And that's total brain shut down," Ben smiled at that.

"Good," Makoto grinned before pouncing him.

---

=HE'S GONE!? Mr. Naught nearly fell over from his boss's scream =GAH! WHY DID I EVEN CONSIDER THEM TO DO THIS!? Now that Turbo Energy is all gone!=

"Uh, well not exactly, s-sir!" Naught coughed, "We know the source was spotted with Ben Tennyson, and our office out on that cost has been keeping tabs on him for some time in case he ever got nosy about us. We are happy to report they have detected the energy in Bellwood."

=Bellwood, you say? Of course he'd relocate to the one place that is the main base of all Plumber operations on Earth= his boss growled.

"Sir…?"

=I will only have one chance...I hope my old administration codes can still let me into the system...it will be a one shot only moment= he rambled to himself =But it's either this...or death…= he looked at Naught =Make sure to inform the Forever Knights we strike in one week. It will give Forever time to amass any contingencies he may think of and take the opportunity to get what they want from in that base when we do make our move=

"Yes, sir," Naught nodded before his boss turned off communications, "..." he groaned as he slumped in his chair, "Really not going to enjoy next week. I was supposed to be having a vacation to Honolulu, see the sights, enjoy a little luau or two. But, what the boss wants, he gets."

---

GT: Well...The Elementors are taken care of.

SZ: Eeyup..but it seems a bigger threat is starting to loom. Also so sorry for having this be late and..well if the final battle for this arc felt a bit...rushed

Z0: Oh...that's sweet...you think it's over...hehehehe...hahahaha!

GT: It's not over 'till Z0 says it's over.

Z0: Your damn right it is...oh the fact you think this is all there is...I am ten steps ahead of you all! No literally *points to segmented ground beneath our feet* GT thought it'd be fun to get the construction guys to turn our floors into a board game map...he did not know...I am competitive *turns to several interns who have been crushed by giant six-sided dice* We got insurance right?

GT: Yes, but those interns were still on their 90 day probation.

SZ: That explains it…

Z0: So anyway, be prepared folks! Things get big next time! And I let loose the inner beast now…

SZ: 0-0….*runs into the bunker*READ AND REVIEW FOLKS!

GT: Aw, he said it before I could. *holds up fingers and snaps them, causing GT to fade into nothingness*

Z0: What...it's just a baby Fox *holds up the adorable animal* Ah forget them your an adorable little creature yes you are~ *walks away*