I am NOT scared of Ben! I just want to, you know, appease him. We need to have a stronger bond, after all. It's the two of us against the world.

Okay, fine. It would be cool to turn into animals too.

"...fine," you say hesitantly. After all, it's your user in danger, not you.

"Wait, really?" he says, astonished. "I thought you would put me asleep, well, not that I would listen to you, but still."

"Dweeb."

"Shut up!" He turns his head away from your silhouette, trying to avoid looking at you, but you can tell it's more playful than actual annoyance… mostly.

"Don't be a crybaby, dweeb. Okay, look, I thought about it, and it's mostly unadvised because this isn't a stable function. You need to know that what we're doing is a bug," you tell him with the most seriousness you have ever spoken.

"Aw, man. Like Sumo Slammers?" Ben turns his head while asking.

"Like what?"

"You don't know about Sumo Slammers?!" he says in disbelief as if talking to an alien. Actually, that part is genuine.

"I know Sumo Slammers, Dweeb," He can feel the smugness on your face. "Remember? I know everything that you know, but I'm not you. I just don't care that much about fat guys fighting on a screen."

Ben is almost malfunctioning, but he tries to forget that last phrase.

"I will show you the whole show later. Spin-offs and games. All of it." Ben says it with an emphasis in every sentence.

Oh, that's just fantastic. That's totally how I wanna spend my life.

"Okay, nerd, now can you continue your line of thought? Pretty please?"

Sarcasm. The best way of sending a message.

"Fine! Look, on Sumo Slammers 3, there's a pretty famous glitch on it. It's on the water phase of it."

"There's a water phrase? On a Beat 'em up?"

"It's a video game. Of course, it has a water phase, but let me finish!" Ben tries to maintain his line of thought.

"In that phase, for some reason, the devs made the pipes of the phase actually work. Something to make the water physics work, I think. But using a glitch on a crocodile enemy can make the player control the crocodile and even pass the phase like that! It's common in the speedrunning community of Sumo Slammers 3!"

"Okay, I can see the similarity. But this isn't a game, Ben."

"I know, Trixie! In the game, that technique can mess with your save, making you become a crocodile… for the rest of the game, making the game harder and easier to bug the rest of the game. I lost a lot of copies of it, trying the glitch."

And that's when you get it. Ben's not treating this as a game; he's using the game mechanics to make you understand his point of view without saying explicitly that he can lose his mind to this trick.

"Oh."

"Yeah…" He says that, rubbing the back of his head.

"Well, we don't really need to do this now. We could… Name the watch!" You put your hands over your holographic hip. "Yeah! What about it? We should be proud of it! It's our creation, and we need a name for it!"

"Why not use Omnitrix? It's not like it will make coffee or something," he shrugs.

"Because it's not a normal Omnitrix! It may be even better than your universe's! And it's essentially a new thing, for your information!" And now it's your time to be in disbelief. How could he? This Omnitrix is a miracle!"

"Okay, okay! Fine. I guess I can name it." He then stretches out his hand in a line shape to fake a 'sword.'

"I shall name you Sir Gregtrix," Ben says with all the elegance that a teenager who doesn't care can give.

"That's not even a real name!" you explain loudly.

"Hey, you should know that Greg is a pretty real name."

"Not for a level 30 tech in TWO galaxies! It needs to state that WE are going to kick some butts!"

For emphasis, you do some simple karate chops and kicks to make your point.

"Okay, fine. So what? An Apex? The Ultimate definition? Something about two? Because there's you and me in this case," he thinks out loud.

Wait…

"Wait a second. Say that again."

"You and me?" he repeats.

"No, before that!"

"Something about two?"

Almost there!

"Before!" you exclaim with confidence!

"The Ultimate definition?"

Bingo!

"Yes! That's it!"

"What? What is it?" Ben asks, obviously confused.

"Our name! This IS the ultimate version of the Omnitrix!" you say while pointing to your feet. "This is the Ultimatrix!" you say out loud, utterly proud of yourself. "After all, this is an entirely unique name!"

"You sure? Looks like I've seen this name before," Ben breaks your thought with a hand on his chin.

"What? Where?! This isn't a common name even for humans!"

Okay, now it is a fact. The Universe HATES me!

"Gotcha!" He wears a grin on his face. "I mean, who else would name something that wasn't the ultimate version of something the ultimate version of something."

He played me!

"Now you know how I feel about Sumo Slammers!" he points his tongue at you.

"Well played, Benjamin Kirby Tennyson. Well played."

You slowly clap. Only twice because Ben doesn't deserve that much respect.

"Don't worry, it's just a Déjà vu or something like it. But honestly? I liked that name. It's cool!" He gives you a thumbs up.

"Fine. It's settled, then. This is no more the Omnitrix! This is The Ultimatrix!"

You see this, Dad?! This is no longer YOUR creation! This is mine's and Ben's! Suck it!

"You okay, Trixie? That new face of yours is kinda creeping me out," he says, looking at… you.

Blinking, you realize you were grinning like a madman, madwoman…, or mad AI.

"Sorry, Ben. I got excited, that's all," you explain with a sly smile.

"I kinda preferred you when you were only a voice," he says honestly.

"HEY!"

"So let's go for it! Into the forest!" He evades your banter while changing the conversation. "Let's find some animals!"

"Benjamin! Don't run while I'm yelling at you!" you finally say while you two enter the forest.

After 'briefly' wandering the woods, you and Benjamin arrive at a small pond.

"How is it that we're out in the woods and been wandering for half an hour, and we haven't wandered into a single animal," Ben complains.

"It's the middle of the night," you point out. "To my understanding, most Earthlings aren't nocturnal."

"Meaning?"

"It's way past your bedtime, Master," you mock.

"Wow, what a great observation," Ben sarcastically quips back.

"Anyway, the only thing you're gonna be turning into at this hour is something actually awake at night."

"Gee, I wonder where we're going to find one of those."

HOWL!

Ben turns his head toward the other side of the small lake, finding…

"A wolf?" Ben deduces before smiling. "We can work with that."

You roll your eyes, knowing what he will ask before he actually does. "Activate Capture Mode."

Affirmative.

A small yellow pulse emanates from the watch. As it reaches the wolf, which has begun to drink from the pond, you hear a small ding from the Ultimatrix.

Instantly, you realize the wolf has gone onto the glitchy animal playlist.

"It's done," you tell Ben, automatically turning the dial to the wolf transformation. "I'll do my best to help you, Ben, but just know this decision is all yours. I can't promise your safety."

"What's the worst that could happen?" Ben rhetorically asks. "It's not like I can get stuck in that form with you around. Besides… I think I'm beginning to trust you… a very tiny bit."

…

"Thanks, Ben," you genuinely say. "Now, what are you waiting for? Getting cold feet, soon-to-be paws?"

Ben rolls his eyes. "Alright, here goes nothing."

"Done. Take care, Ben," you say sympathetically.

"Don't worry, Trixie. But I'm not Ben." He turns the interface, bringing the holographic form of a canine creature. "I'm Benwolf."

"Yeah… I'm not calling you that," you tell Ben as he presses it.

A bright green flash absorbs both of you in less than a second. You return to the Ultimatrix by default, feeling its organic matter mutate your user. You can feel the display moving into a more convenient position on Benwolf, his shoulder. And by all means, Ben has turned into a brown wolf with white details on the belly fur. His eyes are green as always, and the Ultimatrix display shows proudly on his shoulder.

"I don't know about you, Ben, but I'm starting to like this feeling!" you exclaim.

"Bark!" [Agreement.] Ben… responds?

"Whoa! Okay! I kinda know what you mean! Holy cow, so that's how we can communicate?!" You are amazed! "That's awesome!"

"Bark!" [Agreement.]

"Hey, what is it, dweeb? What? The dog got your tongue, Ben?"

"Growl!" [Confusion. Identity.]

"Identity?" In this form, communicating became almost a game of charade! "Okay! I got it! Your name is Ben."

That other nickname is just plain stupid.

"Woof!" [Understood.]

"Okay then, Ben! Let's meet some friends!"

"Yip." [Friends.]

Ben obeys your commands, stepping out of the bush. As you do, Ben comes face to face with the same wolf that was drinking from the pond. She seems both anxious and confused.

"Maybe we shouldn't have transformed right in front of her."

"Bark." [Agreement.]

The wild wolf tilts her head, clearly confused. "Bark?"

"Arf!" [Denial.]

Ben and the female wolf begin to converse in a series of yips, yaps, grunts, growls, barks, and other dog-like behaviors, such as sniffing one another.

And much like listening in on a telephone conversation, only having one side of it is not at all helpful, especially with Ben's answers boiling down to yes, no, and maybe so.

"Oh yeah. I totally understand her. Thanks for the help, Ben."

And sarcasm attacks again, mutt!

"Yep." [Friends.]

"Well, I guess she is a friend. Okay! Fine. Do your thing," you relent, causing Ben to wag his tail.

"Yip." [Happy.]

Well, if Ben's enjoying himself, I guess he can deal with the diminished capacity for a while. Besides, I like being the one wearing the pants in this relationship. I could get used to this. In fact, maybe I'll keep Ben like this forever.

…

I'm joking.

…

Oh, right, internal thoughts don't have an audience.

Incorrect.

AAAAHHHHH!

You don't know how long you've been third-wheeling Ben and the female wolf he's become friends with. After getting your go-ahead, Ben was keen on being given wolfy-boot camp. Among other helpful survival tactics, Ben's doggy companion had given him a tour of the trails built by the animals to navigate the forest quickly through what, to you, appeared to be a game of tag.

Against your better judgment, knowing that Ben hadn't eaten in over a day and was utterly exhausted, you also allowed Ben to become her hunting partner for the evening.

When I turn him back, we will not speak of this. This was totally not worth getting Ben a full stomach to function on. If only this stupid forest had things humans could eat readily available, I wouldn't have to encourage such stupidity.

You don't know why you allowed this experiment to last so long. Maybe it was due to getting a kick at seeing Ben at such a reduced mental capacity. Perhaps it was due to curiosity about how far this friendship could go. Or maybe it was because you got so lost in thought over the absolute insanity of the last several hours, even before the whole human-to-wolf thing. Whatever the case, you keep playing with this fantasy for a long time.

You, Ben, and the female wolf at some point find yourselves under the moon's light with nobody here to interrupt the moment.

"HOOOOOOOOWL!" the normal wolf howls at the pretty sight. And Ben?

"HOOOOOOOOWL!" [Happy.]

"Whoa! Calm down there, Ben! You remember? This is a one-time thing, okay?

"Whine." [I stay.]

It makes you weirdly sad that you must remind him that he still needs to maintain his mind.

"No, Ben. Maybe you two could reunite, but I promised I'd turn you back."

"Yelp…" [Sadness.]

"I know, I know. Now, say goodbye to your little dude."

"Bark!" [Confusion! Friend. Female.] Ben exclaims, sure of himself.

"Fine! Sorry, your little girlfriend," you say with a snarky tone.

"YAP!" [Embarrassment.]

It's obvious what he means by that.

"Yip, yip!" the pond wolf says. Something tells you that she's laughing at Ben.

"Okay, I like you already, girl!" you proclaim. "Maybe we can take her with us."

"HOOOOOOOOOOWL!"

It isn't Ben or the pond wolf.

That voice is deeper than both of theirs.

It's scary.

"Yelp!" The pond wolf exclaims, seeming to back up in fear.

"Hey girl, what's wrong? Ben?" you ask him.

"Growls." [Alpha.]

…

"Crap."

"Yelp!" the pond wolf pushes Ben's butt before motioning her head toward the alpha.

"She wants us to follow her?" You ask, confused.

"Bark." [Agreement.] Ben responds.

"Well, it's your choice. I'm just here for the ride," you proclaim.

After all, I like her, but not to the point of commanding Ben to help her.

I'll stay out of this one; this looks like a 'them' problem.

Ben acted on your words as if it was an order, running behind her.

Maybe his heroic behavior was well-kept when transforming, even in a non-sentient form.

You three ran for some time, passing by bushes, rivers, and other animals. Not that you could scan them while Ben is transformed anyway, but at some point, you three see a clearing in the middle of the forest, close to a river, and at the exact opposite point where you came, there's a big hill where some wild wolves are howling.

One of them, the one with a scar down his lip stopping at his chin, a black and brown pattern all over him, and an enraged look in his eyes directly directed at you three.

"BARK!"

His tone is an angry one. After some time, seeing the pattern between different types of noises, you can tell their basic tone.

"Yip! Yelp!" the pond wolf voices with a sorry tone.

"Groooooowl…" he responds without a hint of mercy.

"Woof!" [Denial. Me. Regret!]

It looks like the alpha is angry 'cause of something the pond wolf did, and Ben's taking the blame for himself. Maybe… she is the alpha's mate?

#### Ben! You don't need to be the hero all the time! Did Dr. Parasucker get into your head that much? How'd you get yourself into a love triangle with a non-sentient species!?

"Groooowl… Bark. BARK!" the alpha growls at you two.

Seems like that display of heroism got on his nerves even more than it should be. But at least now, the focus is on… us.

Darn, it! Ben can't even touch the Galvanic symbol to de-transform or transform into another alien! And if I transform him back, he may not have enough energy to change again! I thought my first battle would be against an evil mastermind, NOT A ####### FOREST ANIMAL!

The Alpha gets closer and closer, waiting for the right moment. Ben is still, for now, just hunkering down into a defensive position.. It looks like a confrontation is inevitable…

"BARK!" the alpha sprints at Ben, his mouth opened and looking for an opening to rip Ben's fur!

"YELP!"

Someone whines!

But it's not Ben's voice. It's…

"WOOF!" [Fear. Worry.] Ben says to the form of the pond wolf, who got in the middle of the attack to help her friend. The alpha's bite got past her neck fur, drawing blood.

This is the animal world. And here, what do they respect? Strength.

"Groooowl… phoo."

The alpha spits out her neck. And after seeing that display of kindness?

"Yip. Yip. Yip."

Is he laughing?!

"Grooooowl… BARK! BARK!" [Hate. Alpha. Dominate. Hate. Alpha. Dominate. Hate. Alpha. Dominate.]

Dominate?

As Ben is preparing himself, you realize.

He wants to dominate the alpha. He wants to take over the pack!

His instincts are kicking in hard. He's mixing his hate and heroic behavior into one dangerous rabbit hole.

And honestly? This mutt deserves some retribution for hurting Ben's friend.

"You about feel the wrath of a nerd with admin powers, dog."

Ben jumps.

He's bloodthirsty for the alpha's blood.

It's not a pretty fight.

It's not even a fair one!

But even if you want it, you can't help Ben fight.

He's acting based on his instincts.

Ben bites, kicks, scratches, and does everything he can to overcome the alpha.

He isn't going to listen to reason or strategy.

Because you can't do much, you look at your surroundings, seeing many injured wolves. Some are limping, others are sleeping to heal faster, and other ones… look like they aren't waking up ever again. You realize the only ones that are fine are the alpha's supporters. You can see that many of them see Ben with hopeful eyes. This 'leader' hurt his pack more than you can imagine.

But you don't have the time to linger on that thought.

The alpha bites into Ben's fur!

Wait… is he seriously trying to kill us?! Over a petty feud! I thought this was just a pissing match!

They roll on the ground, Ben hoping to dislodge the alpha's jaw before getting on top of each other. The scratches and kicks take them both out of that grapple. But not before Ben bit the alpha's leg. He's limping now.

The Ultimatrix turns his user into the Apex version of their race. But that also means that no matter which form Ben takes, he will be the strongest, fastest, and most powerful version of it. And the Alpha knows that.

"Growls… Yip. Yip. Yip." [Weakness. Denial. Alpha. Me. Alpha.]

Ben… laughs at the Alpha's weakened form.

Laughs at his death.

Ugh! I need to do something! This isn't Ben, not the one I know! I may not know a lot about humans, but this look? Ben is going for the kill! He's going to kill him! Okay, what are my options?!

I need to think about Ben's mind. No matter how bad they are, killing someone changes a person, especially with how impressionable Ben is. But what if the damage in his mind is already too deep? I mean, he's already out for blood.

If I de-transform Ben, it's possible the flash could scare off the wolves. And even if it doesn't, there's also the chance the alpha might not attack Ben once he's human. But that's a gamble. If this doesn't scare the alpha off, Ben's in for a world of hurt, especially since I know he's in no state to pick another form to get away or fight back.

But… maybe I should let Ben finish him off? This alpha has done awful things to his pack; they'd be better off with someone else in charge, right? This is the wild; if the Alpha isn't good at his job, he should go away forever. He's not fit for it, and it's survival of the fittest. And killing the alpha means Ben will be safe. But… what could this mean for him? Maybe… should I just trust in Ben? Or perhaps this is the right thing for his growth? But what if I'm wrong, and it puts Ben down the wrong path? Argh! I don't know what to do!

And at that moment, Ben jumps for the final attack.

Decide already, Trixie! NOW!

DECISION POINT : What Will You Do?

A - De-Transform Ben Into A Human Again.

B - Let Ben Off His Leash.