Ben10 & Digimon Tamers

Heroes and Humanity

Part 02: Humanity and Heroes

Another Myself – Chapter 104 Part 03

Originally Written: Saturday, July 28, 2018 842PM; Tuesday, July 31, 2018 1001PM to Wednesday, August 1, 2018 136AM

Edited: Wednesday August 1, 2018 922PM to Friday August 10, 2018 1050AM to ~230PM

Song: LarsM - Lovers [NCS Release]; Xeuphoria - Spiral II

. . . . .

'Standard level three cloaking device detected. Cloaked entity detected northeast, thirty feet. Entity is maintaining a thirty to forty feet distance.'

'Jenrya?'

A touch of surprise, and worry. 'Albedo?'

'Don't look there.' Albedo lowered his eyes, 'I need Gallantmon to use Shield of the Just.'

'I'll let him know.' He felt Jenrya smirk. 'Go get them.'

Albedo took another deep breath as he nodded ever so slightly. "Justimon..." He murmured.

The digimon laid on the sand on his back, breathing heavily and barely moving.

He knelt next to him. He felt a surge of energy flow through him. He placed a hand on Justimon's shoulder. He watched bluish pink mana slowly turn fully pink as Justimon absorbed it.

Justimon looked up at him with tired eyes. In the distance, Sakuyamon shouted in rage and pain along with Eon's mocking laughter. He watched Gallantmon use his shield to defend from Eon's blade, trying to get his bearings and distance.

'Mad Ben, defeated.' Juggernaut informed him. 'Eighty percent energy remaining.'

"I'll fix this." He spoke softly. "Eon won't touch you or Albedo Prime." He ignored his shaking hands.

Tennyson had to be insane. He took on entities like Eon with a grin of confidence and his own rampage of destruction as he did so. It was no wonder why someone like Eon was capable of existing.

Justimon took his hand and let Albedo pull him up. "We'll fix this. We just have to keep our heads on straight."

Albedo nodded.

"Shield of the Just!" A loud "shoom" sounded out, and a wide golden beam shot past further up ahead of them.

They both rose to their feet. Electricity crackled loudly echoing through the area.

'Entity detected, Vilgax.'

Albedo froze at Juggernaut's words. A scowl formed on his face. He clenched his fists. "As if this wasn't hard enough already."

Justimon looked to the north. "Seriously? That's just great." He clenched a fist.

"The power hungry whispering in the ear of the evil." Albedo growled out.

"Level 6, Reaper!" Justimon ordered with a shout. He drew his sword as Vilgax moved to a sitting position. "He doesn't get past you!"

"I'll make him regret it should he try." Jeri replied calmly.

The Chimera Sui Generis snarled, recovering quickly from Gallantmon's attack.

Eon laughed, arms wrapped around his torso. "Nicely done, nicely done, nicely done!"

Vilgax drew himself to his full height, green, heavily muscled limbs bulging and covered in his signature red and black armor. His red eyes glared hatred and death at both Albedo and Justimon.

Behind them, Albedo heard various murmurs, including Beelzemon's cursing. Off to the side, a couple of large dark green bipedal insect looking entities stood in front of Jeri, HiAndromon, Kenta and MarineAngemon and the fallen Bens. Another two placed themselves in front of Jenrya and the others behind Albedo. Long glowing strings of red connected them to Jeri.

Albedo felt Jenrya's increasing concern at seeing the creatures. He also felt Jenrya try to calm himself, reminding himself that these tall creatures were under Jeri's control.

"Done hiding, you overgrown barbaric octopus?" Albedo spat despite his shaking limbs.

"You won't fool me, Galvan." Vilgax smirked, showing off sharp, jagged discolored teeth. "I can sense your fear. I will enjoy tearing your head from your body after I deal with this meddlesome knight." He broke into a sharp run aimed straight at Gallantmon, brandishing a long jagged red sword.

Albedo grabbed Justimon's scarf from around his neck. He wouldn't be able to tell you how he did it, but he somehow infused it with his mana, and whipped it around. It wrapped around Vilgax's upper body before the alien could get too far away. His feet slid against the sand as he worked to pull Vilgax back.

"Your fight's with me!" He shouted, burning rage filling his person.

Vilgax only laughed. He turned around and grabbed the long scarf, yanking Albedo forward. "You will rue those words." He growled.

A layer of blue violet mana coated Albedo's body, and he found himself floating through the air as Vilgax pulled him. He yanked his scarf back from Vilgax, a scowl on his face.

"And you'll regret coming across me! I've had enough of this!" He landed next to Gallantmon, who raised his shield as if daring Vilgax to make his next move.

Both dodged Vilgax's blade as he swung, and then a blast of energy the alien fired from his hand. Then HiAndromon shouted and Gallantmon turned around much quicker than Albedo was able to, lance poised. Albedo closed his eyes for just a moment in response to Eon cackling so close behind him. His new scarf launched forward, enhanced with energy. It collided with a shot of energy fired from Vilgax.

Gallantmon went flying back towards Vilgax with a shout. Eon perched on his chest, feet planted firmly, one hand tightly gripping that horrid purple blade of his, the other one of Gallantmon's pauldrons. Gallantmon's shield lay on the desert sand, temporarily forgotten. Shouts of strength and encouragement broke out around them.

Albedo's eyes widened in surprise. He swung his new scarf around once more, hoping to pull Eon off of his ally, his friend, before he lobbed his head off or aged him to dust.

A bright light engulfed Gallantmon as the digimon shouted. Eon jumped back off of him, a scowl on his face. Albedo dodged Vilgax's sword. Justimon kicked Vilgax in the back repeatedly. It reminded Albedo of one of those human actors in those cheesy over-the-top martial arts films.

Albedo jumped back as Gallantmon Crimson mode circled around them, white wings flapping quickly. Blue flames shot past them, courtesy of Sakuyamon. Vilgax stumbled forward, but did not fall despite Justimon's attack.

"We are not letting you win." Sakuyamon spoke, furious rage in her normally calm voice.

"Not a chance!" Gallantmon Crimson Mode agreed.

"Why?" Albedo questioned harshly, glaring at Vilgax. "Why would you do this?"

The alien grinned at him, baring his teeth.

"You hate Tennyson." The fact that Eon managed to get so many people who hated Ben Tennyson to work alongside him greatly confused him. Perhaps this was the kind of manipulation insanity was capable of performing. "He is Tennyson. Eon is Tennyson. Mad Ben, Nega Ben, Benzarro, Bad Ben, they all are Tennyson. In fact, I'm one of the few involved in this entire situation that isn't Tennyson!"

"Oh, I know." Vilgax growled out. "I just hate you more right now. I would have had the only Tennyson I'm concerned with if not for you."

Albedo wondered if Eon saw that look of utter disdain Vilgax had passed his way. Just enough to know that the moment Vilgax finished with Albedo, Eon was his next target. He forced himself to not take a step back, despite how tempting it was.

"You made your fatal folly when you handed the Ultimatrix over to him instead of me!"

Eon laughed as Vilgax shot out multiple blasts of energy at Albedo, Gallantmon and Sakuyamon.

"...I completely forgot you teamed up with this nutjob. You really don't seem like the type." Sakuyamon whispered to him as they dodged the attacks.

Justimon charged the duo from one side, and Gallantmon the other. The two Digimon worked nearly in unison, as though they had been doing this their entire lives.

"Back then, I was a nutjob myself. It didn't matter who I worked with, as long as Tennyson fell to my wrath." Albedo spoke softly, "But I can see now, even though my mind isn't as clear as I'd like." He felt Jenrya encouraging him, his faith flowing through every fiber of his being. He nodded, resolve set. He clenched his shaking fists.

Despite their dislike of each other, Eon and Vilgax worked in just as near unison, focused solely on the task at hand. A disappointing surprise when Eon slammed Justimon to the ground, shortly followed by Vigax handing Gallantmon a devastating blow. Gallantmon fell to a knee, arms crossed over his smoking torso. A small portion of data rose from Gallantmon's form.

Sakuyamon raised her staff, glowing with bright energy.

Albedo pushed off his feet, and flew forward in the air, controlling mana as though he had the ability his entire life. He quickly realized that he dare not think how he was doing it either, lest he mess up at a crucial time.

He swung his scarf. The long item wrapped around Eon's torso. He pulled his arms hard. Eventually Eon flew forward, and Albedo threw him right into the swing of Vilgax's sword before it hit him. Vilgax snarled, stumbling back as Eon performed an oddly acrobatic move considering his age, somehow managing to flip himself onto the Chimera Sui Generis' shoulders. If they hadn't been in the battle they were, the utterly disgusted look on Vilgax's face would have been much more of a treat to see.

Slowly Justimon and Gallantmon rose to their feet.

"Justimon..." Gallantmon spoke softly,

"Yea...I'm seeing it." The biomerged digimon replied.

Albedo frowned, 'Juggernaut.'

'Alien Transformations are ill advised. Vilgax is familiar with them all. Transformations reduce energy levels, leaving us vulnerable to Eon. Transformations outside what is currently available cause physical damage, also leaving us vulnerable to Eon and Vilgax.'

He sent a mental nod his way. He figured as much. Meaning, he needed something else then. But what? Vilgax having the most remaining stamina out of all of them was not a good thing. His mana took up too much energy as it was. Sakuyamon, Gallantmon and Justimon could take on Vilgax, but he didn't know if they'd be able to beat him. As much as he hated to admit it, Tennyson gave the Tamers a hard time. He couldn't tell if it was due to them being in a not-my-fight or not, but the facts were there. Vilgax was a good deal stronger than Tennyson, and the trio going against Eon triggered a not-my-fight that would most assuredly result in their deaths.

'Stop thinking so much.' Terriermon scolded.

'The only one's true strength you know is your own.' Jenrya spoke in his mind. 'Believe in you. Focus on you.'

He jerked back, eyes wide. Justimon blocked Vilgax's sword with one of his own. Off to the side Gallantmon worked to block Eon's blade. Sakuyamon lended her own energy to strengthen him.

"Once more?" Justimon asked him, a smirk to his voice. "We can go all day."

Albedo nodded slowly. He gripped Justimon's scarf tightly in his hands.

"No one needs an omnitrix to beat you, you sorry excuse for a general. You're so terrible at getting what you want that you need to team up with Tennyson to get anywhere close."

Vilgax's eyes narrowed in rage.

'Query. What are you doing?' Juggernaut questioned. 'Action is nonsensical.'

"Such a shame Eon already knows that when you're done here, you're going after him. An even bigger shame for you is that instead of focusing on Eon in the first place, your simple mind deemed it more important that you attack me over an event from ages ago. If you keep up such nonsense, I'll be forced to say with great pains that Tennyson will wind up being smarter than you. Not by a large margin, but just-"

Justimon wrapped an arm around him and leaped back. Vilgax's sword hit the ground where they previously stood. Albedo felt a giggle burst up from his chest. "And you, Eon, if you are so great, why are you taking orders and ideas from this...simpleton?"

'Scanning.'

Eon only laughed and pointed a finger at him, "I see what you're doing." He glared at Albedo and scowled, "It's not going to work." He spat.

"I was expecting something different from the great Eon. That's what they all say." Albedo mock frowned as though disappointed that he'd been caught in his act. He was vaguely aware that Justimon was giving him an odd look, but he was a bit too preoccupied to give it a proper response.

'Error detected. Event recorded.' Juggernaut informed him for some reason he couldn't discern.

'Error?' Jenrya questioned, or was that Terriermon? 'What error?' Their voices sounded quite far away in his mind for some reason.

He blinked a few times, and refrained from shaking his head. 'Jenrya?'

'Mental connections to Henry Wong and Terriermon temporarily blocked. Focus on Eon and Vilgax.' Juggernaut reminded Albedo of a teacher telling a student to focus on their schoolwork instead of passing notes to a friend. The thought sounded so ridiculous, he shook his head, a small smile on his face.

"Let's stick with Eon, ok?" Justimon spoke softly to him.

Albedo wasn't sure what made Justimon say it, so he just nodded.

Eon tilted his head, a calm smile on his face. "I think you've forgotten that I can do this." Eon promptly disappeared into a portal.

Albedo stared wide eyed at Eon's dead eyes, focusing completely on him. He tried to control his breathing, but found it a nearly impossible task. He breathed heavily through his nose while leaning back away from him.

"What are you thinking up there, my little pet?" Eon tilted his head in curiosity. He tapped a finger against Albedo's head. Dead eyes blinked, wondering. His hands cupped Albedo's cheeks, like a grandmother would for grandchildren she hasn't seen in a long time.

His hands reached up to take Eon's hands off his face. Eon's grip was firm and determined. Albedo's not so much. At any time Eon could decide to be done with him and age him to dust.

Justimon's blade sat poised at Eon's throat from the side, daring the deranged man to make a move the digimon didn't approve of.

"Don't hurt yourself. Only I'm allowed to do that." Eon said.

Albedo narrowed his eyes and dropped an arm. Mana coated his hand, and he swung his arm hard. A long rope of bluish violet mana followed the arc.

Eon jumped back with a deranged grin on his face. "Bad things happen to toys who fight back." He sang.

"Bad things happen to monsters who treat others like toys!" Albedo took another step forward, swinging his other arm also coated with mana. Another arc of energy assaulted Eon, despite him having blocked the attack.

Eon narrowed his eyes in response Albedo caught Eon's eyes shift to Paradox, and then back to him. His grin quickly turned into a deep scowl.

Albedo raised a shaky, determined mana coated arm, as though beckoning Eon to him. Only for a moment did he lower his eyes to look at the darkening skin of his hand. "You can attack me all you want," the determination in his voice surprised himself, "but you will not get Ryo." He narrowed his eyes right back.

Eon jumped back, dodging another attack. Then he charged forward, weapon poised.

Albedo countered with another wide arc of mana. Gallantmon Crimson Mode and Sakyumon shouted in surprise. He swung his other arm behind him, catching Gallantmon, and Sakuyamon midair. Justimon slid back on his feet, sword locked against Eon's blade. Loud gunshots rang out from Beelzemon's weapons.

Eon disappeared into a portal. Justimon stumbled forward. Vilgax laughed a mocking laugh as Gallantmon launched a 'Lightning Joust' attack at him.

Albedo looked around.

"This. Is one." Eon called out loudly.

Albedo's eyes went wide.

"Bunny Blast!"

"Ow!" Swamps called out, "Hit him, not me!"

He looked at Jenrya. The male's silver eyes were wide, and he held his guns out ahead of him in a tight grip. His arms shook, as he pushed himself to a standing position.

'Juggernaut!' Albedo called as Eon swung his sword widely at him.

'Calculating. Eon has recognized you are injuring him. You were not, before. He has switched methods of attack.'

'I can see that!' Albedo hit Eon with another mana attack. 'What do I do about it?!'

Eon only countered by stumbling into another portal.

"I'm not afraid of you!" Jenrya yelled.

Albedo watched as Eon stood behind his Jenrya, pulling his short blue hair back hard enough to make the tamer expose his neck.

"Are you sure you want me to reach three?" Eon grinned at him.

He heard the others shouting but decided not to focus on what they were saying. He saw Suzie looking up at Eon, her form shaking, her fists clenched, her back bent forward ever so slightly showing she was not about to let this man hurt her brother.

"You won't reach three!"

Eon disappeared into another portal.

Albedo saw Hugh stumble, and Jenrya fall to the ground. Data floated up and around them. Eon dodged scorching flames and freezing ice attacks from Swamps and Fridge respectively. Hugh mumbled something he couldn't hear, as he tumbled down laying on his side. His eyes widened as he watched Hugh curl up on himself. Jenrya moved to his knees and leaned on him, hands pressed to Hugh's side. Suzie looked at Antylamon with angry eyes.

"Wrong one!" Eon jumped back, laughing hysterically as he dodged Antylamon's arm, now turned into an axe. "Or, did I mean to?"

"You horrible creature!" Antylomon shouted, arms slamming down repeatedly. Swamps dodged into between the limbs, shooting fire while shouting in his Methanosian language.

Albedo swung his arm as hard as he could manage. Justimon said something about Anodites, but he was too focused on Eon to pay it any mind. A long wide sweep of energy wrapped around Eon's leg as he exited a portal. The demented dimension traveler hovered over Jenrya and Hugh as he hung awkwardly from the portal, unable to move forward or back.

'Error. Current form is unstable. Thirty seconds until instability reaches critical.' Juggernaut warned him.

Hugh pushed himself to his knees, blocking Jenrya from Eon's sight. Hugh glared at Eon, determined, despite the data slowly floating away from his person. "Y-you won't hurt Albedo. H-hurting Henry will h-hurt Albedo, s-so you c-can't d-do it." He held his side with a shaky arm. "J-just. G-go. Away."

'I need something to stop him!' Albedo threw his other arm forward and another band of mana wrapped around the arm and hand holding Eon's sword. 'Anything! I'll take anything!' He wasn't sure who he was talking to, but he could hear the Digignomes, and digimon from far away and nearby. 'Please!' He could hear and feel so many overwhelming things around them. Things he couldn't explain because he couldn't make sense of them. Desperation filled his person, dulled by waves of overwhelming, overpowering energy.

Fridge shot ice out at Eon. It encased the male for a short time, before disintegrating to nothing.

"Stay away from them!" Albedo dragged his arms of deep blue violet forward. His voice sounded faded and ethereal and so unrecognizable to himself he wasn't even sure if it was he who spoke. He dragged Eon out of the portal and towards him.

'Hmm...' A familiar voice that he couldn't recognize spoke in his mind. 'Eon huh? Tough one to beat...Try this one. Make sure you mean it.'

'Five seconds until instability reaches critical. Return to previous form immediately.' Juggernaut's voice overlapped the familiar voice, and the dozens of other voices assaulting his mind and ears.

His only choice was to focus on Eon, so he did. He focused on the sudden rush of information in his mind, held his arms out in front of him, and shouted a warrior like scream, a small part of him hoping he followed the voice's suggestion and instructions correctly. "Eradiko!"

Pain assaulted his being, yet it was satisfying. Blue violet mana assaulted and surrounded Eon in a large sphere. Tendrils of energy attacked Eon, shooting out from within his person and inside the sphere towards him. He heard Eon's screams and laughter among his own screams.

He shut his eyes for a short moment, and reopened them wide as he fell to the sandy ground on his knees, arms wrapped around his torso. He coughed, the action sending painful shakes through him, rippling pain down to his very core. Mana spewed from his mouth. He could feel mana running from his own nose, ears and from his eyes like thick heavy tears. Juggernaut's voice was too full of static and too warped for him to understand. Juggernaut was probably telling him he cast that spell wrong.

Paradox stood in front of him, head tilted, wondering, eyebrows scrunched in confusion, a frown on his face. He heard Justimon and Sakuyamon and Gallantmon Crimson Mode and Swamps, Fridge, and the others shouting. Digignomes shouted or cried or whatever that odd sound they were making was. Paradox's mouth moved as though he were saying something, but Albedo couldn't make sense of it.

He felt physically ill, sickened. Everything hurt. Thousands of needles of pain stabbing and coursing through his body. Dozens of voices and feelings and other things he couldn't explain filled his mind. He fell to the ground on his stomach. Golden sand and bright sparkles of data caressed him.

'Is that...mine...?' He moved his fingers, coated in deep dark mana. He saw Justimon run towards him, but get blocked by Vilgax just as his vision went black. 'They'll be okay. Just as long as Eon is gone.'

. . . . .

A/N: I guess I should explain this more. Albedo's Anodite abilities are inspired from Ben's potential to gain Anodite abilities, touched upon during the UAF seasons. In that the "Omnitrix" was capable of upgrading Ben to have magic powers because the potential was already there within him. He just didn't have the "spark" to do so. I did a little spin off of that.

Ultimate Ben 10K is only a silly idea only because it was implemented terribly. That's why it only makes sense for entities who don't have abilities based on physical appearance alone, like Anodites. Ultimate Ben 10K with 4 Arms, Humongosaur's tail and Big Chill's wings for example is utterly stupid. There's no getting around how ridiculous that would look.