Z0: This one seems important…*looks around* Hah…*puts glasses to my face before rapidly growing to Ultraman size to demolish the studio sending both GT and SZ flying* SHA!
SZ: AHH! SERIOUSLY DUDE?!
Z0: *shrugs and drops script for today at their feet*
SZ: *crashes into a dumpster*I…ugh….we own nothing aside from original content.
Z0: SHA! *stomps screen*
It was a cold night out, the lights shining within the city of Bellewood as the sounds of vehicles and people going about their evening filled the night air. Things have been calling lately since Ben and his group came back, so crime was back to an all time low at the moment. However….something was going to be amiss tonight. Outside of the city, a large red portal appeared right next to a large pipe sticking out of the ground, a figure jumping out of it as the ground shook beneath them.
The figure gave a low growl as they began to stand up, revealing themselves to be a hulking giant humanoid Terroranchula, barring its fangs as red electricity sparkled off it. It slowly looked at its environment…it was out of that place….that prison he was locked into for all these years….but he was home now…and he needed…to feed.
"Oh! Magister Tennyson, look!" Noel called over, standing near a vendor within UnderTown's marketplace, "These Bratharats are perfect for tonight's dinner!"
"Oh you got a good eye Kiddo. These are fresh as can be!" Grandpa Max smiled, picking up the odd alien…er…whatever it was, and gave it an ever so light squeeze causing it to spew this viscous green slime all over his arm. Ben and Makoto -who joined with the cooking team of Max himself, Noel and Rook- were visibly disgusted by this. More so when Rook used his finger to scoop some of the slime…into his mouth.
"Mmm…oh that is good…" Rook whispered in content.
"..ugh~" Makoto shuddered a bit.
"Uh…don't they sell anything besides…dis-disturbing Alien food…?" Ben asked, holding the urge to gag back, "Like I don't know, nifty alien bobbles, games…literally anything?" he held a hand over his mouth as Noel tasted the slime next.
"Oh, video games rot the brain, kids." Grandpa Max sighed as he tossed the alien ingredient to Rook, who downed it in a single gulp.
"We'll take them!" Noel smiled, paying the vendor.
"Oh my poor stomach…" Makoto whispered as her ears drooped.
"Oh come now. Learn to open your pallets at least," Skurd stated, "After all, Ben's grandfather and Ms. Vermillion are putting their hearts to it after all."
"Yes…bu-"
"Oh! Noel, we almost forgot the Parmacian brain rot!" Grandpa Max realized.
"Ahh! You're right!" Noel gasped. With that the two ran off, leaving the disgusted Couple, their Revonnaghander friend, and alien Slimebiote behind.
"Ugh…no way…" Makoto groaned, "I just can't…I love her…but just the idea is making my stomach want to destroy itself…"
"Can't you try it?" Skurd chuckled.
"Can't you live off just human DNA?" Makoto frowned.
"Fair enough…" Skurd muttered.
"I do not see the problem. Magister Tennyson is a master chef, his culinary skills are well respected out in space." Rook smiled.
"Yeah…in Space…" Ben argued, "Where he spent who knows how long adventuring, saving worlds, wooing space ladies, and learning to enjoy food not native to Earth."
"Wait, your Grandpa did what?" Makoto blinked.
"Yeah it was a revelation to me too…" Ben muttered, "But I checked it, Grandpa was like the James Bond of Space…no kidding!"
"Even the exploding pen?"
"No…the Pen was a sword." Ben corrected, "Beam sword I may add." he smirked.
"Oh yes that is true." Rook nodded, "Magister Tennyson was…the first thing we had to a Superhero before Ben…and several others. But his exploits in cooking are also famous."
"Yeah…but I'm not gonna eat alien slime fruit…" Ben argued.
"That was a fruit?" Makoto whispered.
"...Do you really wanna know?" Ben whispered back.
"...fair p-" Makoto began before some screams went off, "?!"
"Incoming!" Grandpa Max shouted as he ran past them, carrying a passed out Noel with her eyes completely blanked out.
"The heck?" Ben blinked as he looked back, "Grandpa what's happening? And why's Noel…"
"RAAAAAAAAGH!"
"?!" the trio tensed as they quickly turned in time, seeing a stall destroyed as they saw what looked like a humanoid Terroranchula barging through.
"I think that might be the reason why!" Rook shouted as he quickly pulled out his Proto-Tool, firing off a few shots at the creature…only for it to absorb the energy shots into its body.
"Duck!" Makoto pushed the boys down as the monster rushed them, causing it to miss and slam into an alien vendor selling the same Bratharats Noel purchased. She looked up while holding on to Ben, "Okay…so…energy attacks…no go…any chance you got physical ammo?"
"Unfortunately such type of ammunition is considered primitive…" Rook muttered.
"...Wow, talk about irony…" Makoto muttered.
"Okay…monster attack, guess we can check it off the daily list…" Ben sighed, "Alright ugly lets do this!" he slapped the Omnitrix as the flash died down to reveal Feedback, "Uh…I was going for Chromastone…but you know what I can work with this," he stretched his antenna and tail up into the many industrial pipes for the city above Undertown, letting him drain some electricity into his body to empower it, "Let's drag this out ugly, there's a dinner me and the Lady are in no hurry to get to!"
The giant humanoid Terroranchula growled as it focused on Feedback before rushing and tackling him through multiple stalls, the electricity being drained from our Hero's body before he was slammed into a support pillar for the town. Feedback grunted as he was able to free one hand and stop the monster from literally chomping down on him, yet he could still feel it draining away at his electricity.
"Hey ugly!" the monster turned its head, only to grunt when Makoto-already in her hero attire-punched it clear across the face, causing it to let Feedback go as it was sent flying, "Hands of my man!"
"Gh…thanks babe," Feedback grunted as he landed on one knee, tiny bits of electricity weakly crackling off him.
"Probably not the best idea to go with this one, hmm?" Skurd deadpanned.
"Hey…zip the lip," Feedback retorted as he stood back up, "Okay…that…thing pretty much took all the energy I just built up."
"Wait…if he can eat energy…doesn't that mean he stores it in himself?" Makoto asked.
"This is why you are the pretty and smart one." Feedback smirked.
"Question is…can we make it stand still long enough?" Rook questioned as he ran over to them.
The monster growled out as it shot out of the rubble of a stall, snarling at the trio as it began to charge at them. However, the Proto-Truk soon crashed into it, making it cry out as it was pinned against a support pillar.
"BEN NOW!" Grandpa Max shouted from the driver's seat, keeping the Proto-Truk pushing against the humanoid Terroranchula.
"Bug….scary…bug…" Noel whispered in her unconscious state, currently huddled up in the back of the Proto-Truk with fear-filled eyes, Mari fanning her with a tiny towel.
"I'll be taking that!" Feedback smirked, stabbing his antennas into the monsters chest and began draining all the electrical energy it took from him, causing it to screech out in pain as…it began shrinking. Until eventually a bright red flash filled the air and…the monster was gone. A figure groaned as they slid down the wall the beast was once pinned against.
"...Wait…that thing was a man?" Makoto blinked.
"It used to be human?" Skurd added.
"...Wait…" Feedback began, his eye wide as he changed back into Ben, "Phil?"
"Ngh…" the figure groaned, revealed to be an old weak looking man in an old and heavily damaged Plumber's uniform, his black hair and beard bleeding into an aging gray as he had a purple scar over one of his eyes.
Grandpa Max quickly ran out of the Proto-Truk, his eyes wide once he rushed over to the man's side, "Phil…You're alive…"
"Max…" Phil whispered as Grandpa Max helped him sit up, "Max, I…I'm so glad I found you…"
"This monster is a Phil?" Rook asked, "And this Phil…is a Plumber?"
"Grandpa Max's old partner," Ben explained, "Last time I saw him, he looked pretty bad, but…" he paused as he looked at Phil's current condition, "He's gone a few trillion miles downhill since."
"Wait…Old partner?" Makoto blinked.
"It's a long story babe," Ben explained, "Right now we gotta figure out what happened to him." he walked over next to his Grandfather, "Any idea what…that was all about?"
"I'm not sure…it was almost like he timed out." Grandpa Max shook his head, "Like…"
"Five years ago…" Phil cut in as he held his side, "Ooh…you kids sure pack a punch these days…"
"You had the Nemetrix…you were forced into an animal form," Ben realized, "You didn't match with it…so you lost control. And worse since it was the first test…it genetically damaged you?"
"Haha…" he weakly laughed, "Look at you kid…sounding just like your Old man here…wise, clever, and always on point." he chuckled, "That's exactly it…I was a beta test…ever since…that beast has been inside me…anytime I sensed any kind of energy…the hunger…it…it overwhelmed…you gotta help me…I…I can't go back to being that thing…" he pleaded, grabbing Grandpa Max's arm, "Even now…I feel it…he's hungry…he's scratching at the door…" he let go and held his body as it seemingly began to bulge as if slowly changing back into that monstrous hybrid form again, "Max…..help…meeeeeeeaaaaaaaaargh!"
"Phil!" Grandpa Max called out as Phil ended up changing back into his monster form.
"Watch out!" Rook shouted as he quickly got before Max, his body quickly stiffening up as he took the incoming slash, grunting a bit when the monster's claws tore into his Proto-Armor, "GH!"
"Grr….re….charge…." Monster Phil growled out in a raspy voice, pushing past Ben and the others as he leapt onto a large set of overhead pips, running down them before climbing them up through a hole leading upwards.
"He is…very fast," Rook grunted as he fell to a knee, holding the spot he was cut in, 'It managed to pierce through my Proto-Armor and Tekkai…'
"His body must have been draining the Proto-Truk's battery…" Ben figured.
"He also hits like a wrecking ball…" Grandpa Max grunted as he was helped up, "Ugh…I'm really getting to old for this…" he grunted stretching a bit.
"Well…it can't be too hard to find a 9 foot tall bipedal spider monster…" Makoto sighed.
"Evil…" Noel hissed from inside the Proto-Truk.
"We'll catch him, and find out how to fix him. But first…catch. Let's go!" Ben shouted as he jumped into the vehicle as Grandpa Max hopped into the Driver's seat.
"Makoto mind helping Rook patch that up?" Grandpa Max asked as he opened the back.
"Hai," Makoto nodded as she carefully helped Rook, "Come on..let's get you patched up, buddy…"
"Thank you…"
The Proto-Truk flew through the skies of Bellwood as everyone looked about for any signs of a monster rampage. But so far it seems Monster Phil had some access to the real deals skills. Key of which was avoiding pursuers.
"Well…he's as sneaky as ever…" Ben sighed.
"When we find him, we need to take him in as gently as possible." Grandpa Max spoke.
"I don't know Grandpa…the way he chased you…I don't think Gentle was on his mind." Ben spoke up.
"Okay I'm sensing tension, so…what the heck is going on?" Makoto asked as she had finished bandaging up Rook's wound, "Boyfriend!"
"Phil was Grandpa Max's old partner while stationed on Earth," Ben began, "We met him back on that first Summer Road trip."
"Phil had been using old Plumber tech, key of which was a Null Void projector, to let loose some of the more dangerous and beastly aliens we captured in our old days." Grandpa Max spoke next, "He…wanted to relive the glory days. In my weakness, I wanted to trust these were just ironic sightings of similar Beasties…part of me also wanted to relive the old days with a friend. But…something felt fishy, so I went to the old Rushmore base, and sure enough, gear and the Projector were all missing."
"Things got…heated, and we fought him, then trapped him in the Null Void with all those aliens he was letting out and messing with." Ben added, "Then…just kind of left him there."
"It never sat right with me how we left things…" Grandpa Max sighed.
"So you're hoping…to try and patch things up," Noel noted, having calmed down enough to listen in.
"Yes," Grandpa Max sighed, "He made a horrible choice and I accepted he was no longer the Phil I knew and trusted. But…even still I felt bad for leaving him in that place all this time. He's already suffered enough…"
"And he does not…seem to be in control of his monstrous form," Rook grunted as he sat up, "We need to find him before he harms an innocent."
"At least let's think of how to find him, and then catch him." Ben sighed, "Like in a giant insulated bug net…or giant glass cup." he chuckled trying to lighten the mood.
"Thanks Ben," Grandpa Max smiled.
"Hey…I think he's served his time…now let's just get him to a hospital that can treat him…maybe Azmuth has a spare bed." Ben shrugged.
"And who knows? Maybe Kokonoe will…" Makoto began before she noticed a few of the street lights beginning to dim, "...he said he needed to recharge…"
"He must be absorbing more energy from the power lines," Ben guessed, "Let's hurry."
Monster Phil growled out as he held a pair of power lines in his hands, absorbing more of the city's electricity as the lights began to grow dimmer and dimmer.
"Hey ugly! We were just talking about you!" Ben's voice shouted, making Monster Phil growl as he turned to see him and the others standing ready.
"Grragh…" Monster Phil growled as he let go of the power lines..before grabbing an overturned car and tossed it at the group.
"Why always cars!?" Ben and Grandpa Max shouted as they all moved out of the way.
"Okay…so…he's juiced up…" Makoto muttered.
"Bug…" Noel hissed while hiding behind her.
"No time! Use the missiles!" Makoto ordered as Noel and Rook attached missiles to the end of their weapons, aimed…and pulled the trigger but nothing happened, "G-Guys? The plan was to knock him out with those concussion rockets…"
"..." Rook looked at his weapon, "The battery is drained."
"...Noellie?"
"S-something's wrong with Bolverk," Noel whispered as she tried to fire again, only for nothing to happen, "I can't get a shot out…"
"E-even the magical stuff!?" Ben shouted.
"It would seem all forms of energy are an open invitation for meal time…" Grandpa Max muttered.
"Okay…well I guess I'll just drain him again." Ben sighed, activating the Omnitrix, "Come on Feedback!" he slapped down, only for his body to begin growing in size as he turned into a hulking alien with gray skin covered in stitching-like scars and patches of dull grayish-yellow skin. His arms where covered in giant, green, fingerless-gauntlets with giant knuckle guards over the back of his hands, with four fingered hands ending in black nails, he wore dark black pants with dark gray boots accented with glowing green slits, a silver belt looped around his waist with an Omnitrix like pattern forming a buckle, the actual omnitrix found embedded within his chest surrounded by pink scars. Silver bolts with glowing green creases implanted in his neck, which has a dull stitching scar around the base, and two more in his abdomen adorned his body, with two tesla coil like towers extending from his shoulder blades. His green eyes opened with a surge of electricity, as his face was unscared with a long black mullet swishing around behind him, matching with his large sideburns.
"...Frankenstrike?" Makoto guessed as she looked at the form.
"Yeah…" he grunted out, a bit of an accent in his voice as he looked himself over, "I haven't been in this form in years…"
"Not as ugly as I pictured…" Noel muttered, "W-wait…you're an electric alien?"
"Uh…I'll get back to you on that, Noellie…" Frankenstrike muttered as he charged at Monster Phil, "Hah!" he roared, punching the Hybrid beast and sending him flying back, "Because there's more to this monster than just a jolt!" he charged at the beast once more as it was getting up and delivered three quick and heavy punches to his gut before moving out of the way of a swipe of Monster Phil's claws, "I'm an alien based off a body made of other parts brought to life by lightning, what's your excuse of being slower than something like that?"
"Ben! Don't hurt him too much, just get him contained!" Grandpa Max called.
"I'll try, but he ain't giving me much choice in not hurting him too much!" Frankenstrike argued as he grappled with Monster Phil.
"Don't worry! I'll look for something!" Makoto called as she looked around, "Contain…contain…" she spotted the construction site, "...That'll do."
"Wh-What do you mean?" Noel asked.
"You have a license to drive trucks, right?"
"Um…Y-Yes. Why?"
"Does that include cement trucks?" Makoto asked.
"...O-Oh!"
"Babe, lure him into the construction site!" Makoto called out as she and Noel ran off, "I got an idea!"
"I'll try to!" Frankenstrike replied as Monster Phil ended the grapple by grabbing Frankenstrike's face and threw him through an electric post, "Gah! …H-Hey, Grandpa…" he grunted as he got up and rubbed his right arm, "How about instead of you telling me to take it easy on him…you tell him to take it easy on me? He's your…" he was soon interrupted by a blast of red energy, sending him flying back and near the construction site.
"Grr…" Monster Phil growled as he lowered his arms…and soon turned his gaze towards Grandpa Max.
"Hey…hey, partner," the elderly Tennyson began as he held his hands up in defense as Monster Phil approached him, "Don't you remember your old…?"
"RAAAGH!" Monster Phil roared as he prepared to slash him, only for Rook to jump onto his back.
"My apologies," Rook apologized before holding a finger, "Shigan."
"?!" Monster Phil tensed before roaring in pain as Rook repeatedly shot his finger at Phil's back, the monster feeling as if bullets were trying to piece his hide repeatedly in the same exact spot.
"Way to go, Rook!" Frankenstrike cheered, "Now it's our turn. Skurd, a little help? I think…it's hammer time."
"Ask and you shall receive~" he cheered, covering his left arm before turning it to Diamondhead's and forming a crystal hammer over his fist.
"Rook, jump!" he shouted.
"Oh!" Rook nodded as he did so just as Frankenstrike landed a powerful blow to Monster Phill, sending him skidding along the ground. Rook grunted as he landed next to his partner, "Very effective…but why did you go with another electric alien?"
"It's what the watch gives me. Its weird sense of humor is a bit of a bother," Frankenstrike complained, "Even back in Undertown I wanted Chromastone."
"Hmm….that is rather odd," Rook noted, "Didn't Azmuth fix that issue wh-"
The sound of tires screeching soon caught their attention, making them turn to see a bunch of teenagers riding a red sports car along the streets.
"...Why did no one close off the roads here?" Frankenstrike demanded.
"They probably did…" Skurd guessed with a sigh, "Chances are those kids are just rule breakers…"
"...And said rule breakers are heading right towards Phil!" Rook exclaimed in realization, seeing the now panicking teen's care riding straight towards Monster Phil.
"Oh geez!" Frankenstrike yelped as he rushed out, the coils on his back sparked to life as they shot a green bolt of electricity at the car, causing it to skid to a screeching halt, "...huh…what do you know? It worked."
"RUN! JUST RUN!" one of the teens screamed as the four hopped right out of the car.
"But your dad's car!"
"Let him kill me! At least he's family!"
"Ben, try turning into Feedback!" Max ordered.
"I don't know if I can," Frankenstrike replied with a grimace.
"Well, if you can't, then allow me to provide a hand," Skurd replied before covering Frankenstrike's right arm.
"Skurd, you…" Frankenstrike began before frowning as the hand was not Feedback's but Rath's, "...Really? What is with you and giving me Rath?"
"It's clear the Omnitrix is giving you electric-based aliens, so I figured I'd give you an even playing field," Skurd pointed out.
"But that would…ah…know what? Not gonna argue with you…" Frankenstrike sighed as he rushed and landed a haymaker to Monster Phil, "Hey over here Itsy-bitsy!" he sparked lighting off his coils, "You hungry? Come get some!" he landed an uppercut that knocked the mutated beast back another step.
Monster Phil blinked as Frankenstrike was already running a distance away. He growled before grunting when a manhole cover smacked him in the face. Frankenstrike stomped the ground as he used electro magnetism to lift a second one he tossed like a frisbee, only for Monster Phil to grab it in his jaw…and chomp through it, shattering it apart.
"Oh what a mouth~" Skurd gasped, earning a look from Frankenstrike, "What? …It's apt…"
"I hate you somedays…you know that, right…?" the Transylian sighed.
"It's mutual, Benny-boy…Monster!"
"What's-AH!" he panicked as Monster Phil tackled him into the construction site. He grunted as his enemy grabbed the Tesla coils and began draining them of electricity. "Gh…okay…that hurts more than I thought it would!" he grunted, punching Phil several times in the face, "Come on…just a little…more…" he began dragging Monster Phil deeper into the construction sight, "Babe, I sure hope your plan is in motion, 'cause I'm running on sparks down here!" he punched Phil again.
A loud sharp whistle went off, making Monster Phil look over in time for a large sewer pipe to smack into him, knocking him off Frankenstrike and into a hole meant for the pipe. He got up in the hole and prepared to jump when the pipe landed on him, surrounding him with metal 'walls' made of it.
"Okay, back it up and dump the load!" Makoto called, waving at something out of Frankenstrike's sight until several beeps went off and a dump truck backed up and let its tube slide out to the edge of the pipe.
Monster Phil roared as he began to climb up the pipe before cement slammed into his face, knocking him back down to the bottom. He roared and prepared to jump with several cement blocks smacked him in the face, leaving him dazed long enough for the cement to engulf him from the neck down.
"Okay stop!" Makoto called out, "You're good, Noellie!"
"...you sure?" Noel's voice came from the cement truck.
"Yes, I'm sure! Besides.." Makoto began as she looked down the pipe, "I don't think he'll be able to get out until we get him to base."
"You are the single greatest woman in the world." Frankenstrike sighed as he flashed back to Ben.
"Darn right I am," Makoto grinned a bit before a flash went off, making them look down to see Phil changed back to normal.
"Please…help…me…"
"...He won't change back…will he?" Noel asked as she, Rook and Grandpa Max walked over to the two.
"Hopefully if we can come up with a cure…" Grandpa Max began as he looked down at Phil, "He won't have to suffer that again…"
"Well…we can't just leave him in cement long johns…let's get him into am…insulated cell back at HQ." Ben sighed.
After a lengthy process of requesting back up to help bring Phil in using gear meant to capture Aliens and criminals with powerful electric abilities. They successfully brought in Former Plumber Philip Billings, and began the process of examination and calling Azmuth to help.
"Okay good news! Thanks to foresight, I have him under watch using passive receptors and his cell is totally insulated from any energy fields, power currents, or any form of energy he can drain." Kajun sighed, looking at a tablet, "Bad news…Azmuth is not answering at this moment and I get voice mail…"
"What's it say?" Ben asked, "Aside from the stuff about me?"
"Something about a dimensional experiment…he and Kokonoe are busy testing…unsure what they mean, but best wait 'till he calls back," Kajun sighed, "But for now, we have Mr. Billings contained and under watch. Cut off from most forms of power should keep him normal and sane."
"You made sure he can't change?"
"Oh heavens no," Kajun replied, "As much as I could prepare, there are too many kinds of energy to count for. But I did replace the energy barrier of his cell with three layers of criss-crossing wrought iron bars, had all electronics in the floors and walls under an extra layer of metal plating with a layer of rubber between them, and I am awaiting clearance on that request to keep him sedated."
"Well…best we're gonna get," Makoto sighed, "Unless you want to give Noel an Anti-Bug Mallet."
"..." Noel held up a sledgehammer…with a sticker of Alf on it.
"ALF!" Kajun barked.
"What? It's one of the pieces of merchandise I sold in US Government jail," Alf defended as he walked by, "It's an Anti-Bug Mallet. Based off the ones we used for Melmachian roaches!"
"I got a mallet." Noel nodded as she held a large one up.
"Noellie…sweetie…put that down." Makoto sighed.
"Alright…so…how can we fix Phil…so we can ship him off to a retirement home and forget about him?" Ben sighed.
"Wow, you really do not care for him…" Kajun muttered.
"He hurt my Grandpa in a way that can't be healed normally…so yeah, I don't like him," Ben crossed his arms, "And I don't trust him as far as Makoto could throw him."
"Which is far…" Makoto added.
"Point is…I just still have a bad feeling about him is all," Ben sighed, crossing his arm as he looked at the video feed aimed at Phil's cell, "So I want to keep a close eye on him."
"...Why don't you, Makoto, and Noel go help Mai give Naoto a tour of the base?" Kajun offered, "I'll stay here and look after Phil."
"You sure?"
"Of course. After all..." Kajun paused before with a wave of her hand, several vials filled with various colored liquids appeared in between her fingers, "I'm not one to be underestimated, you know…"
"...None of them is the growth stuff, is it?" Makoto asked.
"Nope. Just some Trap Potions I crafted."
"Trap potions?" Ben repeated.
"Obverse," Kajun spoke as she opened a vial, letting it pour into the floor before pressing a button on the cell next to Phil's.
"I'm out?! Sweet! I...!" Argit began as he ran out of the cell…and into the hole.
"...3….2….1…" Kajun counted down, closing the cell once more before Argit fell from the roof, "Portal Trap Hole…sends the target to their last known location."
"Is there a time limit before that 'last known location' changes?" Ben asked.
"Every few thirty seconds or so, it resets to the last location they were after falling into the hole the first time."
"Oh so it's like a repeat kind of thing," Makoto noted, "That's kinda neat…and perfect for tricks."
"Tsubaki had me sign an agreement to not lend out any of my Trap Potions."
"Phooey," Makoto pouted.
"Now go on. Give Naoto that tour," Kajun waved them off.
"Hai!" Noel nodded before she quickly rushed off.
"...She really does not want to be near him," Makoto whispered as she and Ben began to follow after the blond.
"...Yeah," Ben muttered, shooting one last look at Phil's cell before he and Makoto turned a corner.
"Sheesh…just how many enemies of Ben's do you guys have here?" Naoto asked as he followed Mai along a path in another section of the prison area, moving along a line of cells with each of Ben's enemies in them.
"I…honestly have no idea," Mai replied as they passed Animo's cell, "Hey, doctor."
"Ms. Natsume, a pleasure as always," Animo replied as he finished doing stitching on a mink doll, giving it fluffy bat wings and a lizard tail before looking out at them, "New Plumber?"
"Just…joined recently," Naoto admitted before whispering to Mai, "Why's this guy so casual?"
"He's a regular," Mai replied, "Dr. Aloysius Animo." she then gesture to Naoto, "Naoto. He's from another universe."
"Ahh…Always a tricky business that," Animo nodded, "Still a pleasure…cannot wait to introduce you to my next creation!"
"...You mean…like that giant cyborg turkey thing the others were fighting?" Naoto questioned.
"Oh heavens no! That one was Kamikaze. I never make cyborgs. I am a biologist and veterinarian scientist," Animo replied, "And yes, my brain is in a glass casing. No, it was not intentional."
"Okay…so we got the big elephant in the room out of the way…good," Naoto muttered, "So uh…what are you making in there, doc?"
"Oh this?" Animo replied as he held up the mink doll he was working on just as a pair of Plumbers were escorting Liam to a cell, "Just crafted this little lady…now what t-"
"BUKAWWWW!" Liam freaked once he saw the doll, struggling to get out of the Plumber guards' grip as he tried to flee, "GET THAT -BUKAW!- THING AWAY FROM ME!"
"Oh…hello Liam…" most sighed.
"...let me guess, the stupid one?" Naoto figured.
"One of Psyphon's goons," Mai explained, "He's…more or less a bird brain…though…" she paused as Liam was now trying to outrun the two guards, "I've never seen such a reaction from him before…not even when Ragna 'beats the lesson' into his head constantly."
"Seriously?" Naoto blinked before holding a leg out, causing Liam to trip over it when he ran over.
"BUKAW!" Liam squawked as he rolled into his open cell, the two guards catching up as they quickly closed it, "No NO! I DON'T WANNA BE DINNER FOR A MONSTER!"
"...Animo…" Mai began as she slowly looked back at the animal mutant making doctor, "I think you better keep that new creation of yours out of view for now…"
"Ahh…fair," Animo nodded a bit as he put the doll...underneath a larger pile of stuffed mixed-up animals, "Oh Benjamin..a pleasure."
"Hmm?" Mai blinked as she and Naoto looked over, seeing Ben, Makoto and Noel walking up to them, "Oh hey guys. What's up?"
"Came to give you a hand with giving Naoto a tour," Ben figured as he looked around the cells, "Man…my sections' built up quite a bit."
"Indeed. Seems young Maxwell has been building up his own roster while you were away," Animo chuckled, "And Madam Vermillion, a pleasure. How is the dear Mari?"
"Doing wonderful. Your augmentations seem to have allowed her to safely digest a lot of different types of food that are not normal for a mink's diet," Noel nodded, "So good on you for that, but don't think you'll get away with a naughty experiment like that again."
"I shall try, but I'll do my best to make sure it's not a favorite of yours again," Animo chuckled, "Oh, and be careful of the cell about thirty down from here. That one is one of Maxwells and…" he crinkled his nose, "The man is just not right."
"!" Ben tensed before nodding, "Thanks for the warning. I'll see about some better needles and thread."
"Oh splendid! My current surgery equipment has been getting rather worn," Animo nodded as they group walked off, "Good day to you all! And welcome to the Plumbers, young Naoto! Until my next escape!"
"Everything alright, Ben?" Naoto asked.
"If Animo is saying someone's not right, then it's a big red flag of someone I need to take special attention to," Ben replied.
"Ahh…fair point," Naoto nodded as the five began to walk off, "So where to next?"
"Well…just need to check out Robotboy's section next and we'll head to the flight deck," Mai explained.
"Ro's got his own section now?" Makoto blinked.
"From what Tsubaki told me, it filled up while we were gone," Mai responded as she looked down at the list, "Bjorn Bjornson…"
"Well that's not a name full…" Makoto muttered, "What's he in for?"
"Apparently he was a former student of Moshimo's…and hated him to the point he wanted his…" Mai began before blinking at the description, "...Bjornbot?...not gonna question it…" she muttered before resuming, "...to surpass Moshimo to the point he wanted to have his Bjornbot destroy not just Robotboy, but Jenny and Kibo so his robot would be known as the greatest fighting machine on the planet."
"And since he's locked up, that failed spectacularly," Ben noted, "Hey, Noel, remind me to get Ro' a 'Great job on getting a villain's gallery' gift, okay?"
"...Okay," Noel replied with a sweet smile…despite the fiery hot aura of anger surrounding her as she had Bolverk whipped out in its railgun mode in one hand and Funkfreed in the other.
"...Why do I feel like you need a talking snail on your shoulder to complete the look?" Ben asked.
"SNAIL?!" Noel yelped, looking around in fright as she dropped her weapons, "WHERE?!"
"SHUT UP! I AM TRYING TO TAKE MEIN NAP!" a german voice shouted from a cell, coming from a small…frail looking man in a pair of red lederhosen with a red shirt underneath.
"...uh…who's that guy?" Makoto asked with a raised brow.
"From what I'm reading here, his name's Klausie," Mai replied as she looked back at the list, "Arrested twice for stealing Robotboy's body the first time…and the second when he 'borrowed' a Headmaster unit to try and steal an Autobot's body."
"...Payback against bullies?" Makoto guessed.
"...yup," Mai replied as she looked up from the list.
"Wow…petty much?" Skurd deadpanned.
"...This coming from the Slimbiote that uses Humungousaur's arm to flip the table when he's losing at Monopoly…" Makoto muttered, rolling her eyes.
"...Fair enough, but counterpoint? You after Wii Sports…and Mario Party."
"Hey, no one can avoid raging at Mario Party," Ben defended the latter.
"Easy for you to say," Mai deadpanned, "You kept getting the hidden star blocks each time we played."
"Hey, I can't help it…I'm just really lucky at those kinds of games," Ben shrugged…before quickly scratching Makoto's ear before she could say a thing.
"?! Mmm~"
"...Moving on…" Naoto muttered as he looked at Mai, "Who else is there?"
"Hmm…well for now, it's Dr. Kamikaze and Constantine," Mai responded, "...the former demanded the latter to be in the same cell."
"Hello~" Constantine waved.
"Do not greet them you fool! They are the enemy!" Kamikaze snapped before grumbling to himself in Japanese in the corner of their shared cell.
"...Oh those are the guys that controlled that giant freaky turkey when we arrived," Naoto recalled.
"Yeah…" Ben nodded, "They are on the same level as Animo."
"Do not insult me, boy!" Kamikaze snapped, "I am an evil technological genius!"
"Oh boss, you should be happy the world's top superhero considers you as much of a danger as his oldest nemesis," Constantine smiled.
"His oldest nemesis?!" Animo shouted from his cell, "Now you see here! I am Ben Tennyson's oldest nemesis! Not you, Kamikaze! I…!"
"I think they meant in terms of age, Animo-hakase," Noel pointed out.
"...oh….apologies then," Animo muttered as he sat back down.
"...uh…" Ben and Makoto began.
"Hibiki told me they had a bad outing after coming back from Japan," Mai whispered to the two, "Apparently they tried to sneak into Kibougamine…and failed horribly."
"WE DON'T SPEAK OF IT!-!-!" they both cried.
"...wow," the couple blinked at that.
"...Let's…head on to the flight deck, shall we?" Mai offered, hoping to change the subject.
"Y…yeah…" Naoto muttered.
"...hmm…" Kajun frowned a bit as she looked at her tablet, tapping it a few times as she stood before Phil's cell, "...this doesn't seem right…"
"Everything' okay here, little lady?"
"Hmm?" Kajun blinked a bit as she turned, seeing Grandpa Max walking over with Jubei accompanying him, "Oh. Magister Tennyson. Jubei-san."
"How are things with Phil?" Max asked.
"So far everything seems normal, but…" Kajun paused as she looked back at her tablet, "Something's off here…the base's Power Core is running at 120%...but nothing's overloading."
"...that so…?" Jubei questioned, giving Phil a suspicious look as his eye narrowed a bit.
"...Jubei, I assure you we can trust Phil," Grandpa Max assured him.
"I know, but….something feels off," Jubei frowned, "You told me he was stuck in the Null Void, right?"
"Yeah."
"...then how did he get out?"
"...That's…a good question," Kajun blinked, "The Bellwood base has the only functioning Null Void Projector in case any more Way Bads ever showed up…so how was he able to get out?"
"...We'll ponder that later," Grandpa Max stated before looking out at Phil, seeing him grunting a bit as he began to awake, "Phill, you okay?"
"Yeah….a-okay Maxy…" he replied as he looked up...and blinked a bit once he saw Jubei, "...Max, either I'm still dizzy from those sedatives…or I've officially gone insane…"
"Nope. He's real," Grandpa Max explained as he motioned to Jubei, "This is Jubei…he's been helping Ben and the others train up when he can."
"I mostly just rest unless it's serious," Jubei added, still looking at Phil in suspicion.
"...wait a minute," Kajun whispered as she focused back on her tablet, "The Core just reached 130%...and still no overloading…unless…" she began as she looked at Phil, "He's doing it."
"Kajun, I thought you said those sensors were passive," Grandpa Max spoke as he looked at Kajun, "How's it affecting the Power Core?"
"I don't know. I made sure to take all the precautions to make sure he wouldn't try anything if he reverted back," Kajun replied…before her eyes widened in shock, "Unless….he absorbed the layers I had set up…I didn't think that was possible but…gah~!" she groaned as she hit her head against the wall, "Baka! How did I not realize that?!"
"Unplug him! Now!" Grandpa Max quickly ordered.
"Max, I…" Phil began before grouting, holding his head in pain as red electricity crackled off him, "No…NO!"
"Magister Tennyson, hold him down," Kajun quickly spoke up as she whipped out a vial with a purple substance in it, "I'll try and trap him in a Rubber coating."
"Got it!" he nodded as he opened the cell, quickly rushing in as he held Phil down just as he was getting up, "Hold on, Phil!"
"Max, I…it hurts…I can feel him clawing back!" Phil grunted, struggling a bit as more red electricity crackled off him.
"I'm sorry Mr. Billings, but this is for your own good!" Kajun shouted as she tossed the Trap Potion at Phil, only for him to quickly grab it, "?!"
"Grr…" Phill growled out, his eyes a pure blood red before he pushed Grandpa Max off and threw the potion at him, causing the substance inside to splatter out ash trap him in a rubber straight jacket.
"GH! Phil, stop!"
Phil just ignored Grandpa Max however, taking the sensors off as he quickly rushed out, pushing back both Kajun and Jubei as he headed straight for the elevator.
"Tsubaki, I need you to call Ben and the others fast!" Kajun called out into her tablet, "Phil Billings has gotten out of his cell! I repeat, he has gotten out of his cell and is heading straight for the Power Core!"
=Ben! Ben, can you hear me?!= Tsubaki called out from the Omnitrix, making Ben and co stop just as they were heading to the Flight deck =Phil got out of his cell and is currently heading to the Power Core!=
"Knew it," Ben scowled.
"Oh no…" Noel squeaked out in pure fear.
"Noellie, look at me," Makoto spoke, earning her attention, "I have a very good idea for you in case you end up alone with Phil and he transforms." she whispered into Noel's ear, keeping Funkfree up to it as well, "Got it?"
"Uh-huh," Noel nodded, hugging her elephant-sword to her small chest.
"I'll go on ahead and cut Phil off," Ben spoke, already activating the Omnitrix as he pressed down on it, engulfing himself in greenlight as Shocksquatch took his place, "Ah, for pete's sake! Gimme a break, will ya?"
"That's three times, Babe…three times you got a bad match up." Makoto spoke, "Something is smelling fishy and it's not the evil scientists!"
"We'll figure it out later. We gotta go catch Phil," he stated.
"We'll head to the Power Core to cut him off," Mai responded as she brought her spear out, "You guys figure out where he went off to."
"One problem with your plan," Skurd spoke up, "And it involves a certain now missing new member of ours."
"...wait. Where…" Mai began as the three quickly noticed Naoto wasn't there.
"...you don't think he went after Phil by himself do you?" Makoto asked.
"...Guess he fits in more with us than we thought, eh," Shocksquatch muttered, "To the Terroranchula Hybrid, eh!"
Phil grunted as he slid into an opened grate within the center elevator, sliding down it before he ended up in a long hallway with a metal cart. He was about to take off before he avoided an incoming kick from the side, making him turn as he threw a punch at Naoto, who quickly jumped back from the attack.
"Ok…taking that one set of stairs was a good idea," Naoto whispered to himself as he stood ready, "Okay Mr. Billings...how's about you c-WOAH!" he yelped as he narrowly avoided a red electric blast from Phil, "...Ok. I wanted to be a little civil..but if you want rough…" his eyes narrowed as his hair flashed white, "Then I'll just have to knock you back out."
"RAAAHHH!" he roared as he rushed and swung punch after punch at Naoto who blocked each one, but it was worth noting that it seemed Phil's…new abilities…gave him augmented physical ability enough to keep the clearly superhuman Naoto on the defensive.
"You're pretty spry for an old guy…" Naoto grunted, deflecting a punch before he swung around and slammed his elbow into Phil's face, "I get you're a friend to Ben's gramps…so I'll try not to hurt you too much. But I'm still gonna have to knock you out!"
"Gh…Power…need…power…" Phil gasped as he was kicked in the stomach, making him stumble back into a wall, "Ah…" he held his arms up towards the lights before streaks of electricity began pooling into his hands.
"No you don't!" Naoto grunted as he punched Phil across the face while he was in the middle of this, "Sorry, Old-timer…but this ain't Dragon Ball…no power up time for you!" he jumped and landed a roundhouse to Phil's head, knocking him down to the ground. He then groaned as Phil began getting up, "Wow. You are persistent…" he shook his head.
"Ghh…must…get…power…" Phil growled his red eyes glowing as it seemed that small feeding was sufficient to empower his body.
"Alright…don't say I didn't warn ya…" Naoto jumped as he reared his fist back for a flying punch, only to yelp when Phil blasted him with his stored energy and slammed the young warrior into the ceiling.
"Heh…" Phil muttered as he walked off leaving Naoto twitching on the ground, "More…need more…"
"Sorry…" Phil quickly stopped as he looked up, seeing Shocksquatch towering over him with a frown, "But that ain't gonna fly, eh."
"About…time you showed up…" Naoto grunted a bit as Makoto, Noel and Mai helped him stand up, "Old guy's pretty tough…I'll give him that much."
"You held him off enough for us to catch up. That's good enough," Shocksquatch stated to him before looking back down at Phil, "Look, I know you've got that monster inside trying to get out, but if you really want our help, you need to snap out of it!"
"...Hmph…" Phil smirked a bit before planting his hands on Shocksquatch, causing the both of them to be engulfed in red electricity.
"Ahh! Hey! Quit it!" Shocksquatch snapped, his fur poofed up as he quickly batted Phil away…only for the Omnitrix to time out on him as he changed back into Ben, "What the…?!"
"It seems that little stunt short circuited the Omnitrix…" Skurd blinked, equally confused/shocked by that, "Oh he's just asking for it! Attack!" he slapped the Omnitrix for Ben as it turned him into Ampfibian, "Oopsy~"
"Another electric guy…come on Omnitrix!" Ampfibian groaned as he phased through a wall, letting Phil slam into it face first, "At least I have powers besides 'zappity-zap-zap' to fall back on…"
Phil grunted as he staggered back into the metal cart, falling to a knee as he held his head. He then quickly noticed a plug on the metal cart before he gripped it and pulled it off, causing the cart to start moving as it shot down the hallway.
"...That, however, I did not see…" Ampfibian began.
"JUST GO AFTER HIM!" Skurd snapped.
"Okay, okay!" Ampfibian yelped as he flew after the cart. Once he caught up, he began to fly around Phil a few times before grabbing his ankles, flipping him over before slamming him back into the metal cart, "You want energy so bad? Take it!" he shouted as he threw his tendrils into Phil's chest, sending out a wave of electricity that began to shock him.
"Wh-?! Babe!" Makoto called out as she and the others ran to catch up, "Are you giving him more power?!"
"Like Skurd said, the Omnitrix keeps giving me electrical aliens!" Ampfibian shouted as he poured in more electricity into his attack, "But if I give him too much…!" he paused as the cart began to spark, making it spark as Phil quickly fell out, "It'll overload him."
"I get it. Since he's not the huge spider freak he can only hold so much energy 'till he fizzles out," Skurd realized, "Did not expect that from you."
"Eh, I've done it before when I got lazy. The 3DS in my bedroom is actually the fifth one I've bought," Ampfibian shrugged, "2 and 4 were from overloading the battery and causing them to pop. 1 I ate when I fell asleep as Upchuck and 3 I gave to a Make-A-Wish kid."
"...Fair enough," Skurd shrugged just as the girls and Naoto caught up.
"Gh…I'm sorry, kids…" Phil whispered as he managed to force himself up to his knees, "I…I couldn't control myself…" he shook his head, "Th-The energy all over…it just gets to me…"
"...mmm…" Makoto narrowed her eyes a bit at that.
"...It's fine, Phil," Ampfibian spoke as he reached out a tendril to Phil, "Let's get you back your cell a-"
"Ben stop!"
"Wh-" he began as he stopped, only to grunt when Phil grabbed his tendril as red electricity crackled off the two, "?!"
"Heheheheheh….kid…" Phil chuckled in a menacing manner, a grin growing on his face as he absorbed Ampfibian's electricity, "There hasn't been a 'Phil' in this body in years…"
With that, Phil morphed into his Terroranchula monster form and grabbed Ampfibian before running off with him while still draining him of his electrical energy. Eventually, they slammed through the door to the central power core, while a green flash went off and Ben slammed into the control console.
"Hehehe…Suckers…" Phil laughed.
"Knew…it…" Ben groaned, "I just really wanted…to believe in Grandpa…more than I distrusted you…"
"Oh…don't get much past you, Junior. You're Max's kid…well grandkid, but let's face it. You're more like him then your Daddy," Phil chuckled, "The old Max would have smelled the nonsense a mile away…but…he's soft now."
"Ah, yes, while I for one do enjoy a good poking at the elder Tennyson, I must ask…what do you mean 'there hasn't been a 'Phil' in this body in years' exactly?"
"Heh…Let's just say…in the battle of man vs beast for the soul…the beast won~" Phil smiled, "You try living for five years…with the only companion being the voice in your own head…" he lifted Ben up at that, "I should squish you right now…but…I also thank you for letting me get enough juice to return to the form I feel most comfortable in." he leaned in close, "And now that I got your power core as my main dish…soon…even that old Phil body will be gone…no more changing back."
"So you've gone from money-hungry…to power-hungry…not much of a difference…" Ben grunted.
"Well…I never said my time in the Null Void changed me for the better…well…in your eyes at least. In mine…I'm a lot better than ever," Phil swung his arm and tossed Ben away before he marched over to the power core and put his hands on it, letting the green energy flew down into his palms and through the glass. His body began shimmering as his patches of hair stood on end, his normally red electricity giving way to the green of the power core as it flowed through him, "Ahh~ Such delicious power!"
"Ben!" Makoto called as the others began to arrive, "Hoo boy…Went mad with power?"
"Terroranchula DNA won out in the mental department, but yeah," Ben summed up as she helped him get up, "Think the Slate will be safe to use on him?"
"No clue," Makoto replied.
"More…I need more!" Monster Phil roared out as he took in more of the core's energy.
"We gotta close it off." Ben spoke as he ran to the console and began typing on it before hitting the big red button causing alarms to go off. Four metallic shields dropped down around the core before unfolding into a full encircling barrier of insulated alloy shielding.
Phil looked up and growled before spinning around and smashing the control console just as Ben jumped back. He roared as he turned to try and get under the shielding before it dropped. But before he could, he was punched by Makoto sending him stumbling to the side just as the shield dropped.
"NO!" Monster Phil roared as he began bashing his claws against the shield, but it was pointless as it was too dense and insulated, preventing him from draining any energy, "I NEED MORE!"
"Oh too bad~" Makoto taunted, "But this buffet is closed and you, sir, are officially banned from this good place of business for eating us out of business!"
"How many times did you get banned from those places to memorize that?" Skurd asked.
"Silence from the snot that lives on his own free buffet…" She pouted.
"Touche…" Skurd muttered.
"Skurd! Flamethrower!" Ben shouted, roughly squishing Skurd, causing him to 'spit' a jet of fire on Phil's back, making the Terroranchula hybrid screech in pain, "Since you can pick what DNA you eat, you're not stuck with pure electric DNA…" he chuckled as the Slimebiot coughed.
"A little warning before you use me as a James Bond gadget!" he hacked.
"I was thinking more like Pokemon," Ben smiled.
"Do not compare me to the Ditto nor the Grimer line," Skurd warned.
"Eh, was thinking more of the latter but also Mew since you can 'learn' it all," Ben replied. He then yelped when Monster Phil swiped at him, "Flamethrower! Flamethrower!" At that, Skurd spit another stream of fire at the Hybrid monster making him back away, "Diamondhead sword!" he yelped, rolling away from an electric blast. His arm becoming Petrosapian crystal before forming a short sword of crystal he swung up to slash at Phil, making him back away, "Ah…see Omntrix…literally better options than all Electric guys!"
"Now now…don't blame the wonderful watch…maybe it was your clumsy sausage fingers!" Skurd argued, "Oh, and watched out for the beam."
"Beam? Wha…" Ben began before yelping as he barely ducked under a red blast from Monster Phil, "C'mon, Omnitrix, no whammies this time." he pushed down and another red blast was fired only to be sliced in two by Garumaru, "Tch. Still electrical aliens, Omnitrix-teria?"
"Never seen that species of alien," Monster Phil noted in surprise.
"Picked it up from another world," Garumaru replied, the Diamondhead sword reshifting into a more katana shape as he grasped it in both hands, "From a sea filled with dreamers-teria."
"I don't get that reference…" Monster Phil growled.
"Typical…" Garumaru sighed before becoming a blur, making Monster Phil tense before he was suddenly kneed in the chin.
"GH! Little punk!" Monster Phil snarled as he tried to swipe at him, only for him to become a blur.
"I guess you're just getting too old-teria!" Garumaru jumped around before slashing Phil across the back…but his shell was too dense and just left a scratch, "?!"
"Got you!" Monster Phil roared as he turned, grabbing Garumaru just before he could rush off, "You may have blocked me from one power source…but I know where to find another…"
"Another…" Garumaru began before crying out, feeling himself being drained before he was tossed right into Naoto, Mai and Makoto, "Gh!"
Monster Phil just chuckled darkly as he headed towards the elevator, only to move his head to the side as an energy bullet missed him, "...nice try, kid," he smirked, looking ahead to see a shivering Noel standing before the elevator.
"Ah….ahh…"
"Aww….what's wrong?" he taunted as he stepped over, easily towering over her as he looked down at her, "Scare of bugs? Well…" he began as he knelt down, getting face to face with her, "You…should fear me."
"...Funkfreed…" Noel whispered as she fainted on the spot, "Bam bam…"
"Bam…wha-OH MY!" Monster Phil shouted as Funkfreed trumpeted and slammed through the elevator, charging at full speed and slamming Phil into the shielding of the power core, "AN ELEPHANT!? REALLY!?"
"Paon Paon!" Funkfreed roared as he began to slam Monster Phil into the ground multiple times with his trunk, denting the metal floor each time he did.
"No one expects the Elephant-Sword!" Skurd declared before facepalming, "'No one expects the Elephant-Sword'...What is my life since becoming involved with these juveniles?"
"Grr…GET OFF!" Monster Phill roared as he grabbed Funkfreed's trunk, channeling red electricity into the elephant…only for nothing to happen, "?!"
"Did you not hear a single word I said sir!?" Skurd shouted as the trunk took on a metallic sheen, "Elephant…sword! Which means…"
"...Which means my electricity…" Monster Phil began before Funkfree tossed him into the wall, "GAH!"
"Bingo! They just flow through him and into the ground," Skurd chuckled a bit.
"Not to rain...on anyone's parade…" Naoto grunted as he pushed himself up, "But maybe stop him…before he uses this as a chance to escape?"
"Ugh…" Garumaru groaned before flashing back to Ben, "Aw man…"
"Ah acorns…" Makoto grunted as she and Mai got up, looking ahead at where Funkfreed threw Phil…and saw a large torn hole in the wall, "...ahh macadamias…"
"He's a fast bug…" Naoto sighed, "Is the normal version of that bug that annoying?"
"Actually, no," Ben shook his head, "Just as terrifying though…"
"Ahh…" Noel managed to squeak out, her eyes once more fear filled as she visibly shook, "Giant…nightmare bug…from hell…"
"Paon…" Funkfreed gently patted her head in comfort.
"Get those decouplers decoupled!" Patelliday ordered as a few Plumbers were busy fixing the damages Monster Phil left, "And without the sass this time."
"He must have used us to get close to our base's power core," Rook figured as he, Grandpa Max and Jubei met up with Ben and the others.
"In short…he baited us," Ben sighed, "I'm sorry, Grandpa."
"...no. I'm sorry," Grandpa Max sighed, earning Ben's attention, "I just thought after all that time…there was still a part of the Phil I once knew….but I was wrong."
"What's done is done, Max," Jubei spoke up, his eye closed as he had his arms crossed, "He used yer kindness against ya just to get close enough…but I get yer pain in wanton' to see your old friend again. Believe me…" he paused as he sighed, "I know that pain…all too well."
"Jubei-san?" Mai blinked.
"Nothing. Just…personal stuff is all," Jubei stated as he opened his eye, "Right now, you guys need to track down that mentally disturbed bug before he causes more damage."
"...I think I know where he went." Ben spoke, "He said he knew where to find another. The only other source of power that could rival our energy core within Bellwood limits…is the Megawatts generator in Undertown."
"Then we better hurry," Grandpa Max stated before looking at Tsubaki and Kajun nearby, "Tsubaki, Kajun, is the Null Void Projector up and running?"
"Yes, sir," Kajun replied, "However with Phil as he is, chances are he'll see it coming and drain it before we get a chance to use it."
"So we'll have to strike him when his guard is down," Tsubaki added.
"...hmm…" Ben pondered as he looked at the Omnitrix, "...I think I've got an idea."
"Oh yeah!" Monster Phil laughed, holding onto a red cord as he looked on at a glass container containing the Nosedeenians, who were wincing in pain as their electricity was being drained, "Man, that's good eatin'!"
"I knew it…" Ben's voice spoke, earning Phil's attention as he turned to see him, Grandpa Max, Rook, and Makoto walk into the area, "Of course you'd immediately come here."
"I sensed this source as soon as I entered this little alien nesting ground, but what can I say…the need for revenge and a perfect meal sounded better," Monster Phil laughed, "It's like dinner and a show, but this…oh this is like that one burger shack that makes the best bite to eat!"
"Mmm…" Grandpa Max frowned as he glared at him.
"...Oh what, Maxy? Came to say goodbye to your old friend Phil?" Monster Phil grinned.
"Rook, concussives only. No energy weapons," Grandpa Max ordered, "Ben, we'll cover you."
"You got this babe!" Makoto cheered on.
"So what's the plan, dear boy?" Skurd asked.
"...I only get Electric Aliens…" Ben spoke, looking up at Phil, "...Perfect for you, huh?"
"Oh? Figured that out huh Junior?" Phil laughed, "The Nemetrix Energy has linked us in some way. My need to feed off electrical energy is drawing out your electrical aliens…prey for me~"
"...Alright…you want Electric Aliens? …okay~" Ben smiled, dialing the Omnitrix to his desired alien, "I'll give you my best." he slapped the Omnitrix before blue lightning formed around him, rocks forming torso armor before solidifying his face, Shock Rock stomping his foot as he stood even with Phil, "Now…who's hungry?" He punched Phil, sending him flying back and through several walls.
"GRR!" monster Phil grunted as he pushed himself up, rubbing his sore jaw, "A Fulmini…? Impossible!"
"Get with the program! That's what we Tennysons do," he crossed his arms as he walked out to face him, "So…get up already, I'm getting bored over here."
Monster Phil roared out as he got up and charged at him, firing off a large beam of red electricity at him, only for the Fulmini to absorb it as he grappled with the incoming Terroranchula mutant. Shock Rock roared as he slammed his head into Phil's, making him stagger back. The Fulmini raised his hand before reforming his fist into a stone gauntlet with blue energy spikes on his knuckles. He roared and slammed a punch which dispersed a large blast of electrical energy that sent Phil flying into the air and bouncing off the pipes above. As the Mutant fell, his eyes opened as Shock Rock reformed his fist into a cannon before blasting him with a beam of Electric Blue energy that sent him skidding and bouncing down the street.
"What's the matter? I thought you wanted energy. Come on…I'm right here!" Shock Rock challenged, "Try me…that's if you're still man enough. But given your new look…you stopped being a man a long time ago…"
"...Heh…That's one thing…" Monster Phil began as he pushed himself up...only to pounce straight at Shock Rock as his claws dug into him, "We can agree on!" he laughed as he and Shock Rock crackled with red electricity, indicating he was absorbing his power as well.
"...Gh…grrr…" Shock Rock grunted in pain…before grabbing Phil's arms, "Got ya…" he smirked.
"Wha…what are you doing?" he blinked as blue lightning began surging into his arms, "You idiot! You're giving me your energy?!" he laughed, before flinching, "Wait…wait…what is this…?" he asked as his body was covered in blue electricity, "What are you doing!?"
"You want power? Well I'm just giving it to you…come on Phil, take it…take as much as you need…and then some!" he roared, pumping more energy into him, "Shock Rock is living energy…I don't have any limit to how much I produce…or how much I can store…but what about you, Phil? That body looks awfully squishy and organic…how much can you eat 'till you pop?"
"?!" Phil's eyes widened in realization before he struggled to free himself from Shock Rock's grip…but the Fulmini kept a tight grip on his arms as he channeled more energy into him, "Gh…stop…Stop it…!"
"Why? Isn't this what you wanted? Limitless energy? Enough to keep you full?" Shock Rock asked as he pumped more and more energy into Monster Phil, "I'm just giving you what you wanted, right?!"
"N-NO! It's too much…TOO MUCH!" he roared in pain as his body began glowing from all the built up energy, "STOP! I…I CAN'T HOLD IT!"
"Then there's only one place you'll go so you don't go off," Shock Rock frowned before the Proto-Truck drove up behind Phil, "Now guys!"
"Wh-?!" Phil began before looking back, seeing the back open up as Tsubaki and Kajun stood by a now active Null Voice generator, "?! No no no!"
"Firing now!" Kajun declared as she pressed a button, causing the machine to fire off a red beam that formed into a portal that began to suck Phil in.
"No! Please! Ya can't do this to me! That void…has nothing in it for energy!" Phil screamed.
"Aw~What a shame. Guess I need to top ya off then, huh?" Shock Rock grinned.
"No…no!" Phil grunted before looking ahead, seeing Grandpa Max looking on from nearby with Rook and Makoto, "Max…please…don't leave me to rot in there again…! Please…have a heart!"
"Phil got a raw deal…" Grandpa Max frowned, "But you…you have this coming. Ben!"
"Bye, Phil, see ya in another five or so years~" Shock Rock smirked, forming his rock gauntlet before punching Phil and blasting him with energy that pushed him through the portal.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Phil screamed as he flew off into an empty void, reaching out for the portal until it closed off completely.
Shock Rock lowered his fist before changing back into Ben. He frowned, looking at where the portal had been, before turning and walking over to the others, shaking his head while closing his eyes.
"Great plan," Makoto noted as she gave him a side-hug.
"Thanks. His energy absorbing reminded me of Dredd, so I just did what Max pulled," Ben explained, "Not as explosive, but it got the job done." he looked over at Grandpa Max, who was just looking down, a forlorn saddened look on his face, "...And now, have to deal with another."
"...Count me in," Makoto spoke, seeing Grandpa Max as well, before whispering, "...Should we ask Kajun to get a pair of stomach pumps on standby?"
"...I think I'll just hope for the best this time," Ben smiled before looking to Grandpa Max, "Hey Grandpa," he got his attention, "Still got that shopping list? …Letting out all that energy left me drained. I am starving!"
"Nothing beats being terrified of a giant man alien spider hybrid to work one heck of an appetite up," Makoto added with a smile, "We're up for anything you've got!"
"..." Grandpa Max smiled, "You won't be disappointed, kiddos. Family dinner will be big tonight."
"It always is, Grandpa," Ben chuckled, "Come on, let's get a move on. I'm sure Noel has been waiting to cook with you since this all started. Let's at least bring her some fresh stuff," he put his arm around Grandpa Max as they walked away together.
"...Do you want me to prep some stomach pumps for after dinner?" Kajun asked.
"...Nope," Makoto replied, earning surprised looks from both Kajun and Tsubaki, "I'm just gonna hope for the best because of Grandpa Max being there to help cook."
"Bu…" Kajun began before Tsubaki elbowed her.
"Don't ruin the moment will you?" Tsubaki sighed looking at Ben and his Grandfather as they laughed, "Just let them cheer him up."
"Very well," Kajun nodded.
"No…no….not again…" Phil whispered, back in his human form as he stood on his knees on top of a large chunk of rock within the Null Void, blue electricity still crackling off him, "Not here again…back in this…this…hell hole…." he grunted as a spark came off him, "And I…I'm about to die…was that portal from before…just a cruel dream? Just to give me a false pretense of freedom?!"
"No….it was a blessing for you, Phil Billings…"
"?! Th…that voice…" Phil whispered, holding his head, "It's back again…"
"No...I am not a malevolent voice…" the voice spoke as a bright light caught Phil's attention, making him turn...and see a shaded figure within a bright light standing before him, "I am here..to bring you salvation…now that you know the truth…"
"Th…the truth…?" Phil repeated.
"That your former allies…are not who they appear to be," the figure stated, their voice sounding almost…calming yet hypnotic, "They claim they fight for justice…but it is a lie…they fight to control those lesser than them…they follow the lies told to them by their false gods…They are no heroes…no…the Plumbers itself…are against true justice itself…"
"...but…Max…"
"Did he not abandon you once more when you pleaded to him?" the figure questioned, "Did he not leave you here to rot after letting you be overcharged…poisoned by his grandson when he fed you that energy?"
"..." Phill said nothing as he lowered his head, another spark crackling off him.
"You have suffered a great deal all these years, Phill Billings…" the figure stated as they approached him, raising a hand up as they placed it on his head, "Worry not…I shall heal your wounds and save you from your death…but in return…you must pledge loyalty to me and me alone…"
"...And who's to say…" Phil began as he rose a hand up to grab the figure's arm, "I won't betray you in the e-?!" he gasped out when he found the figure's arm in his chest, feeling as if…they were grabbing his very soul.
"We do not take kindly…to traitors…" the figure stated, their voice now taking a menacing tone as their red eyes glared down at him, "Now choose….swear your loyalty…or die here like the pathetic animal you are, Phil Billings…"
"I…submit…I pledge my…life…to…you…" he grunted out, his mind still in shock from this…pain that could not be compared with any mortal equivalent.
"...hmm…" the figure smiled a bit before losing their grip, gently pulling their hand out as a sphere of blue electricity floated within their hand, "It is done then…"
"Ahh!" Phil gasped as he fell to the ground, his hands planted on the dirt as he heavily panted.
"Now come…we must get you better equipped for the war to come," the figure stated as they began to walk off.
"...Wait…" Phil spoke up, making the figure stop as he forced himself up, "I must know….who are you?"
"Hmm?"
"I've pledged myself to you…but you haven't even…given your name…"
"...We are the light that shines on a lawless world…we are the sword that protects it from what we see as true evil…we are the shield that protects the people from the so-called gods…we lead the true saviors of the world.." the figure began as they looked back at him, "We are the leader of the Novus Orbis Librarium…we are the Imperator Librarius…but you may refer to us…as the Imperator."
"...and given what you did to me earlier…I have one more question…what are you?"
"...A God."
SZ:...oh….shit….they've finally arrived.
GT: Eeyup. And in the Null Void of all places, too…
Z0: *still 50 meters tall and incapable of speech*
SZ: Yup…we're slowly reaching towards one of our major arcs planned for this story folks…granted we got a few more along the way, but this…oh this is gonna be a BIG one.
GT: Yep. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to finish this rollercoaster ride. This was definitely an up, so next should be an down, correct? *Z0 grabs me and puts me upside down* Oh, had the blueprints upside down. Silly me. Well, Read and Review, folks!
Z0: SHA! *blasts laser at the screen*