Happy New Year!
Firstly I would like to address something that will be brought about in this chapter.
Some have picked up on it and I would like to explain my reason for doing this.
Firstly, a point was brought up that kwami's don't have DNA to scan. True, we know the omnitrix can't scan an Anodite like Verdona or Gwen but, what about when they're transformed.
To be honest I'm just pulling a doctor who and pulling an impossible mechanic out of my arse. but i will be keepinh the species in relation to kwami
And honestly it's only going to happen twice, technically three times. I don't even have a plan for which alien vesperia unlocks.
It's the "back against the wall, oh how about this" kinda thing.
Edit: Azmuth will actually explain something to Ben for once in coming chapters
Enjoy.
Author Note - Ben 10 is the property of Cartoon Network and Man of Action. Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir are the property of Disney, Jeremy Zag and Thomas Astruc. I make no claim of ownership to any character, concept or world in this fan written fictional work. any other works referred to in this fanfic belong to their respective owners.
Reviews are welcome and appreciated.
L-K
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
*Omnitrix*
Sound
:M-10:\ - end of scene, time skip
Miraculous 10
Chapter 3
The Warlord Strikes Back
A kerfuffle could be heard outside his window. Not like someone working or random destruction but a lot of footsteps along the roofs of the building.
Peeking quickly into the living room, Ben confirmed his parents were distracted by either work or a TV show before closing his door and popping the dial on the Omnitrix. Two turns and a controlled slam took the form of a Necrofriggian.
Making use of the species' natural ability he became intangible, phasing through the roof and sticking his head out through the tiles observing the fight ongoing in his neighbourhood.
On one of the opposite rooftops were the French superheroes, Two of whom he'd met but another he hadn't seen before. and facing them was a new villain. They seemed to resemble a superhero, cape, tights, the works. The look was almost complete except for the look of rage on his face.
Worst of all he was monologuing, about how the universe owed him, shouting about how he'd had a tough life, a common story for over half the earth's population.
The French hero team seemed to have the situation under control. Ladybug kept him tethered, preventing him from flying off away from them. The new hero appeared to have some kind of flight power as he rocketed about pushing their opponent back to street level to fight against the Parisian duo or let him have it in the skies above where property damage would be minimal.
Deciding that if he added his support he could get back to his new sumo slammers game, Big Chill crept through the roofs, still intangible moving closer to the fight.
/:M-10:\
Ladybug was exhausted, no, it would be fair to say she was….'What's worse than exhausted'. whatever that was, she was feeling it.
Her last minute or rather last second revision session before her biology test just had to be interrupted by an Akuma. Fortunately she was barely out of her trap door leading to her balcony when she'd spotted someone she could use as reinforcements.
A flash of pink and with a swing of her yoyo she leapt away and swung through the park scooping up Marc. After the usual fanfare she put on when handing out a Miraculous, both Ladybug and Rooster Bold took to the rooftops of Paris.
The battle was already taking place as Cat Noir narrowly dodged punches that sent tiles crashing to the streets below. She wiped her yoyo, smashing the projectiles and shouted to the people below to take cover and evacuate.
Marc quickly took over the fight, surprising her with his surprisingly skilled fighting style, considering this was only his third time using a Miraculous and the boy beneath the mask didn't seem the type to know close quarters.
"Kitty, what's the deal with this one"
"Oh you know, a girl broke his heart, accepted an Akuma to try and impress her and she didn't see him the same way. Kinda reminds me of a movie from a few years back. Anyway I've taken the girl to your favourite elementary school, she'll be safe there".
"It a high school"
If you say so, Bugaboo"
"Any leads to where the akuma's hiding?" she asked, shooting her yoyo and anchored the Akuma in place for a second to get a good look.
"There's something on his waist, there left side"
"I got it, get me an opening". As the pair rejoined the battle she could already see that Marc had used his power, now able to fly and keep up with the Akuma as he tried to escape to the skies above.
She once more shot out her yoyo latching onto his leg and stopped him before he got too high. Before the Villain could break free, Marc was able to come crashing into him bringing them both down into another roof.
"Lucky charm" she whispered, activating her superpower. From the swirl of magical ladybugs descended a small pendant, one she'd ended up with multiple times in the past few weeks "not again"
"Ladybug, is something wrong?"
"Ha, so even you superheroes with all your power can't do anything to stop me" shouted the latest Akuma host. The spotted hero's eyes darted about looking for anything to help solve the situation when something caught her eye. Something was moving through the buildings like a shark before stopping just below the villain who hadn't stopped talking.
…you can't stop me heroes, soon I'll give your Miraculous to Shadowmoth and I will have my powers for all time. I'm invincible, I'm untouchable, I'm…COLD!"
Ice began to form around his legs before creeping up and eventually he was entirely cased in nearly one foot of ice.
"Hey pall, chill out, how about we all take a second to cool our heads? '' a voice whispered as a cold breath puffed out next to the living popsicle. A strange half visible distorted form became one of a giant moth-man, on its chest a round symbol with what looked like an hourglass was placed.
Ladybug wasted no time lunging forward and nabbed the akumatized object, quickly throwing it to her leather clad partner who with his sharp claws pierced it enough for the Akuma to emerge. In a motion she could do in her sleep she launched her yoyo catching the Akuma and following its cleansing, set the little insect free.
As the shroud of purple returned the villain back to a civilian she quickly activated ehr miraculous ladybug. Just as the shadows faded her ladybugs removed the ice and her nearby companions caught him before he could fully slump to the floor.
"Hey Ladybug, Cat Noir and I don't know who you are but still nice to meet you. Nice work". Congratulated the moth-man, nodding to each in turn.
"Rooster bolt, I'm one of the newer members of the team. So you're one of the Omni Heroes".
"Yeah, though this guy I call Big Chill".
The statement was rather odd and it must have shown on one of their faces as the weirdly expressionless face of the ice ghost appeared to look surprised.
Cat noir however was the first to vocalise the realisation. "Hold up, so all the creatures with that symbol, you're all one person".
"Yeah, did I not mention that". He didn't, Marinette had reviewed the footage from the latest attacks and had it in her mind that each hero would teleport in switching out with the others if they didn't prove effective against each foe. It didn't explain why blitzwolfer or molestache went away on foot rather than teleport but now it didn't matter.
With a quick succession of slaps on the chest dial and with flashes of green, cycled through the aliens they'd seen so far, Blitzwolfer, Mole-stache, Swampfire and XLR8 before returning back to Big Chill. "I was given a device that can turn me into a handful of aliens."
"Woah".
"So all those aliens in that article on the ladyblog". She asked, referring to her best friend's latest interest on her blog.
"All of them are me, I've been fighting crime and kicking other alien butt since I was ten".
Beep, beep. A beeping came from her earrings and were soon echoed by her fellow miraculous holders.
"Well we've gotta go, Cat Noir can you take care of this guy, I need to see to Rooster Bold. Are we still on for patrol tomorrow?"
"You know it ladybug, same place."
"Yep, Bug out."
"See you again Cat Noir."
As she swung away, arc following closely, she ruminated on the mystery that was paris' new hero. He'd cleared up some answers she had but now more remained. Once she had collected the rooster Miraculous she would be able to fully process it all. That is if she had any time after frying her brain with the studying she still needed to do.
/:M-10:\
Following the exit of the Ladybug and Rooster hero, Ben was left on the roof with the feline hero and a de-akumatized victim.
"Do you need a hand with this guy?"
"Don't worry, I got this cat in the bag. The nearest medical facility is only a few blocks away". He said folding away the staff he'd been using as a map. "You could come along if you want, in case you need to know where one is"
"That would be cool, no pun intended"
"No need to keep the puns in check with this cool cat. Now we really should book it, I've only got a few minutes left"
"Race ya" and with a gust of cool air the alien hero took to the sky.
"Hey no fair, I've gotta carry this guy. Do you even know where you're going". Quickly loading the man onto his back, the feline hero took off into the evening sky
/:M-10:\
Just as the morning began in full earnest Lieutenant Raincomprix listened as his radio buzzed with incident report after incident report.
"Dispatch, we got a reckless driver on the Rue Michel Ange".
"Dispatch, cancel that, situation has been resolved".
"Dispatch, reckless endangerment on the bank of the seine".
"Dispatch, cancel that, situation has again been resolved".
"Reckless flying of a non-engined flying vehicle-"
"Dispatch, cancel that, the situation has once again been resolved".
He watched with intrigue as what looked like a velociraptor ran along the water of the seine.
Meanwhile
Ben sped along the seine treading water with XLR8's incredible speed. He zoomed left and right past boats, splashing a few as he dodged to avoid a near collision.
"Ben, there is a fire near the American University of Paris. Come off left before the next bridge and follow the main street".
"On it". Following his instruction Ben saw a plume of smoke rising into the clear Parisian sky.
The fire itself was still rather small but its proximity to one of the city's electrical stations was alarming both to Ben and civilians who watched with trepidation and in some case recklessness as they got a little too close for comfort.
Coming to a stop Ben turned the symbol on his chest changing into "Big Chill!"
Unraveling his wings he took to the air releasing a cold breeze as he floated. Taking a deep breath he let out a blizzard-like breath not only tackling the fire but cooling the moisture in the air creating a mist taking care of some of the nastier particles in the air that came from the fire.
Once the fire had been taken care of and the building's occupants were checked to be safe, Ben took off heading to his last destination, passing a firetruck on his way.
"Ben, you have ten minutes before you are late for-"
"I know, I know. Heading there now, I'm sure they can forgive a bit of tardiness for doing hero work, whoa". Ben shifted course slightly letting out a small shriek as he avoided a reckless driver. 'Jeez, why is everyone being so reckless today'
"Yet they are unaware of your hero status, would that not defeat the point".
"If you tell the right teacher that you saved a cat from a tree that gotta earn you plenty of points".
"Yet your teacher Ms Meldeleiev does not sound like the kind of person that would, at least from what you have told me".
"Good point, better book it" his speed increased as he sped across the asphalt.
After changing back to human behind the nearby bakery and dashing through the school's entrance just a few minutes before homeroom he happened to hear a conversation.
"..at Niagara falls, one of the heroes saved my life after I fell into the river. It was a completely unforgettable experience".
A girl not much older than him was retelling a tale to a gathering of enraptured students. His own classmate Jimmy was completely absorbed, hanging off her every work as he noted it in his journal. "And what about the heroes who have resurfaced recently who were a part of the same group. XLR8 and Blitzwolfer."
"Of course I met both of them too. It was the two of them that put a stop to this other alien, a big squid one that attacked."
Ben paused, noting the inconsistency with that particular statement only he and two others would know. With the morning's antics it may come to light if they reviewed the footage despite Ben's care at changing before anyone noticed his arrival. Another was that while he'd fought Vilgax at niagara falls it had happened over an hour after he'd saved the man who fell off the boat. This girl, whoever she was, had said that both of his forms had saved her, somewhat implying that his aliens are separate entities.
"So you've met blitzwolfer then, at niagara falls" Ben threw in his bait.
"Yeah, and some of the others. I wanted to get his autograph but given the other alien attacks my parents got me out of there quickly".
"Uh huh, and who was it that saved you from the water?"
"Why it was ripjaws of course, he's renowned for his aquatic saves.
"That's so cool what was the name of the squid villain, there were a few cool names. Rojo, Dr Animo, did you find out who?"
"I…er"
"Vilgax". Ben called back as he walked away.
She was definitely lying, while he had saved someone from drowning that day he didn't do it just as Ripjaws, he had used Stinkfly and also he'd rescued an old man not a girl. Just as he was about to climb the stairs to his classroom a hand latched onto his shoulder.
The hand belonged to a student from the year above, clearly of Asian descent. He recalled Zoe calling her Marinette, the fashion designer.
"I wouldn't believe her if I were you. She's full of lies''. Ben had yet to properly meet the ravenette but Zoe had said that she'd mentioned him to a few of her older friends. But in regards to what he'd been told about marinette, an ongoing feud with another classmate was something that she'd briefly gone into.
"Don't worry, I've already caught her out in a lie, she may well have been there at the time or seen photos of it, but she sure as hell wasn't who was saved that day. So don't worry, she's already been noted as a liar."
"Right, good. Oh I'm Marinette by the way". She said, the mood lightening as she hel out her hand.
"Ben Tennyson, my mom's-"
"Sandra Tennyson, Ms Bustier's substitute. I know, she's already shown us your baby photos".
"Seriously?"
"Yeah, sorry. If it's any consolation they were rather cute pictures".
A beeping sound could be heard from both students' pockets, both looking up with panic. "We're late". And as quick as their superhero selves they rushed to their respective classrooms.
/:M-10:\
*Bwee-Boop Booop-Vwee Bwee-Boop Booop-Vwee*
Just walking out of his science class, Ben came to a stop looking at his watch. A slight edge in his stance as he looked for an empty space to answer the call, spearing off from the student crowd he found the door for the boiler room taking him into the school's basement.
Taking out one of the earbuds generated by the Omnitrix he found a quiet spot. Answering the call as a projection of rook appeared in the same way as his transformations would.
"What's up rook, I don't think you've ever-"
"Vigax has returned"
A combination of three words had never terrified Ben so much. If Rook had said that Dr Animo or six-six had appeared he might have been more calm. But Vilgax had been a foe worthy of the title warlord or conqueror. He was his archnemesis, someone he would never have an easy time beating one on one.
"Are you sure it's him, could it just be someone of the same species like Myaxx".
"See for yourself"
The projection of Rook was replaced with a news station broadcast. Specifically Bellwoods news station. Mobile phone footage showed how a beautiful day had turned to mayhem as ships appeared from nowhere overshadowing the city. One lucky or unlucky filmer caught the moment that the warlord landed on earth just as the sun began to rise and gave the challenge to the heroes of earth.
"Why now, why wait all this time to pick a fight with Earth".
"Magister Tennyson has been in contact and given me two answers for this. Over the past few years instead of his previous pursuit across the galaxy he had been rebuilding his army after your last encounter. And in the last few months he has been issuing conquerors challenges to some of the most battle prominent systems in the milky way. Last week he conquered the planet T.K, quashing the galactic enforcers. After each fight he has used a device to drain the powers of their defeated champions".
"And the second"
"There is no easy way to say this, as the earthlings say best to rip off the socks".
Ben cringed internally but didn't try to correct him, now used to the Rovanaganders blundering of earth phrases.
"Magister Tennyson believes that Vilgax has been waiting for the Omnitrix to become active again. When you removed the Omnitrix two years ago, both the Plumbers and Galvans spread the information that the Omnitrix was no more or returned to its creator".
"To stop anyone coming after me right. And if they were to come after me anyway"
"Magister Tennyson believed he had it handled".
"He would. So what happens now, won't the United Heroez take up the fight. I'm sure Majestia could put up a fight".
In lue of an answer more footage was shown. Majestia, night owl and other members faced Vilgax both alone and together as a team. But they all met the same fate, another feed showed each defeated member chained to a machine.
"Vilgax issued the challenge against the heroes of earth an hour ago. He has defeated almost eighteen members and is holding them as trophies until the challenge is finished".
"Knowing Vilgax defeating just the league won't be enough for him. He'll want absolute victory over earth's defences. If he's done his research he'll know that there are more heroes to take powers from. And if what you said before is true then he knows I'm back as well".
"That was also my belief".
Ben took a second to breath before he made his decision. He knew Vilgax wouldn't stop, either he would have to face the warlord or Vilgax would have the earth.
"Then when do we leave".
"Are you certain, Vil-"
"I'm sure, I may not have Waybig anymore but I've stopped him before without my heaviest hitter. So i'll ask again, when do we leave".
"Find a discreet space, I will teleport you back to the base then I will take you to Bellwood. We shall arrive in a few hours".
/:M-10:\
"You've reached Cat Noir, leave a message at the meow."
"Cat Noir, It's me, Omnitrixter. Look, I've been called back for something back home, you can probably see it on TV by now. I'll handle it so, just keep Paris safe. Shadowmoth could try and take advantage of the confusion so keep your guard up. It's been fun" clicking a button the voicemail finished, hopefully the parisian hero's would see it soon.
Out the front windscreen of the proto-truck he could see bellwood coming into view. The sleepy town had in the past few years begun to expand, becoming an up and coming city. Skyscrapers dotted the central part of the settlement, in the centre was a large park designed after New York's own central Park. A forcefield dome was planted in the centre. Around it were plumber tanks with officers all with weapons ready.
Helicopters flew about recording the events. Both for the coverage of their heroes and for earth's first televised contact with aliens.
"So much for we come in peace".
Double tapping one of the Omnitrix dials a gel-like substance began to leak out enveloping his entire form before it changed from a slimy substance to a skin tight suit not much different to Ladybugs and Cat Noirs.
It was a new function added at Max's suggestions but it was still in the beta stages, as such his face was left unprotected. It was added the night before so it would be its debut in a fight.
The colouring was mostly black with green lined at joints and on certain surfaces of the suit. Like when he transformed his clothes were broken down and stored within the watch and created a suit for his forms except now it was for his own body.
"And you're sure the cameras won't be able to broadcast my face right".
"Plumber technicians are ready to censor your face. Unfortunately due to certain treaties we can't cut the broadcast completely".
The phrase 'Freedom of the press' went through his mind. 'I don't think I'd ever want to be chased around by cameras all day broadcasting every fight I get into, too much effort".
In another dimension, another Ben sneezed over his yero.
"We have arrived," said Rook unnecessarily. as they touched down Ben didn't make a move, just looked out the front windscreen. They had parked just outside the forcefield, plumber units on either side lined around, ready to intercept any brave broadcaster trying to get a scoop or if Vilgax decided to just waltz outside the challenge zone.
Not that there was any need for the latter. The conquering warlord was seated on a throne-like chair, a sword and axe appropriately sized embedded in the ground on either side of him. Behind him was a massive machine, locked in chains were over twenty heroes including the lead members of Heroez United.
He took a breath before checking the playlist he had selected on the way over. Once happy with his selection he stood from his seat walking out the back door giving rook a little salute and a nod. A small buzz came from the Omnitrix, bringing it level with his face a projection of an image taken like a selfie appeared. It was a group photo of the heroes of Paris, including one he'd yet to see. A message of good luck was tagged across the bottom.
"Well, I guess I can't lose now"
/:M-10:\
Ever since he'd heard of the rumours of the level 20 technology, he knew he wanted it. He knew he was powerful, the most powerful of his kind, but there would be others like him. But if he could get his hands on the device, with the power he could possess. If it contained the DNA of the legendary Celestialsapien, he would be unstoppable, unmatched.
But somehow through fate or destiny the watch had ended up in the hands of a child, the descendent of one of the few beings who had stopped him.
But now he was back, to finish what he'd started years ago. He had already proven that the heroes of earth were nothing in comparison to his power. At most lasting a few minutes before falling before him, to be chained and would soon make him stronger.
But the one that approached, he knew he couldn't hold back. As a child he'd proven resourceful, even if that came from his grandfather and cousin, but resourceful all the same.
He'd beaten the abomination and himself in the null void, cleverly switching the capsule containing the Omnitrix with that of an explosive leaving him stranded in the prison dimension. Then he'd bested him with the power of the space guardians, a To'kustar destroying his army and launching him into space.
But now the child was older, the human process of puberty changing him. The videos he'd found on the earth information databases showed he had better control of the Omnitrix, not with the skill of the alleged master control but better handling all the same.
He'd already prepared for his new selection of aliens. The armour covering his form and the two weapons he had placed in the ground when he'd arrived. He hadn't needed to use either to crush this continent's heroes.
A feeling of excitement thrummed through his veins as Tennyson approached. A feeling he hadn't felt in decades if not centuries. The red spots parted for the teen giving a salute to the soon to be crushed insect.
"I'm going to enjoy this"
/:M-10:\
The plumbers parted for him as he approached the shield. Most of the downed heroes seemed confused by his presence, but a few, noticeably Majestia and Night Owl who was sporting a new look, seemed to have a brief moment of realisation, a few it seemed had been informed of his secret.
"Ben Tennyson, you have kept me waiting" remarked the Chimera Sui Generis casually from his seat.
"Long time no see squidface, what's it been, over three years. Last time we met I hurled you into outer space, I suppose it was too much to hope you flew into a star".
A few of the heroes seemed shocked by the banter Ben flung back at the warlord. To face a planetary threat with so little regard especially shocked Night Owl.
"This time I will be sure to repay the favour and settle the score. And this time, I came prepared".
"So I hear, conqueror of ten worlds, destroyer of five. An impressive resume, and yet you've struggled to defeat a ten year old".
"That will not happen this time".
A cough interrupted the pairs trash talk as vilgax's goon grabbed their attention
"Pursuant to the Galactic Code of Conduct, Lord Vilgax has issued a challenge to the greatest protectors of earth, to trial by combat. Should Master Vilgax win, the earth and all its spoils will be his. Ben Tennyson of Earth, do you accept the terms and take on the Conqueror's Challenge?"
"Sure, and if I win."
"You won't"
Opposite Vilgax stood to his full height as he approached to start their fight. Adorning him were several pieces of armour, completely different to what he'd worn during their encounters three years prior. He picked up his sword but left the Axe embedded in the ground.
"The battle between Vilgax of Vilgaxia and Ben Tennyson of Earth will now commence. The winner is declared when the other is unable to continue".
'OK, rather morbid' Ben thought as he readied himself, the dial already on his first choice.
"Begin!"
As Psyphen announced the start, Ben slammed the dial transforming into XLR8, immediately racing towards and around Vilgax, circling his foe and creating a tornado forcing his opponent into the air.
When he was sure Vilgax was a good distance up he stopped and observed his opponent's next move. Vilgax was at least 50 metres into the air and just as Ben stooped to watch him drop, only he didn't.
"He flys now!" he shouted in disbelief.
Villgax just smiled, his eyes glowing red. with a tap of his chest, Ben switched into Echo Echo, splitting himself into three while dodging some kind of eye beam attack.
He was meant to split into four but a flash of green erupted behind them signifying the loss of one of their clones.
"That was close"
"A little too close if you ask me".
"Eyes fro-"
Before the third copy could warn the others a slam was heard followed by another green light as a second clone was destroyed".
"It seems you are still out of practice Tennyson". Vilgax taunted as his sword destroyed another clone before he grasped and slammed the last clone into the ground.
Vilgax removed his fist from the small crater he'd made hoping to see either a flattened Sonosian or Human. But beneath his fist was just crushed remains of a fountain. A near invisible figure crept from the ground below, leaving a light frost.
"You know words hail to describe your obsession with trying to beat me". Whispered a chilly voice as the Necrofriggian came into view.
"Quite rambling, Tennyson" a hand grasped out and Ben stayed still going intangible thinking he was safe. What he didn't expect was for the glove to actually grasp his neck, nor for the feeling of electricity to course through his every nerve.
"Shocking isn't it". Vilgax sneered tightening his grip on the teens neck
"Hah, cough. Finally after all these years you actually make a joke". Ben rasped out, his neck still in a vice grip. One of his hands clawed at Vilgax's extended hand while the other sneaked down to the dial on his chest. Taking as much air in as he could he blasted as much ice out into the warlord's face.
In the small distraction he broke his grip loosening the hold enough to slide out. Despite the Necrofriggian species not actually needing oxygen, Ben used the few seconds he had to refill his lungs. He could still feel his nerves flaring up at whatever vilgax's gauntlet did. A trembling hand slapped the dial as he changed into his next alien.
"Let me tell you something, Vilgax, conqueror of ten worlds. Rath, is gonna kick you so hard in the face, momma Vilgax is gonna be kissing it better till I reach retirement age". Rath blasted out, a strange thing about this alien was the strange drive to speak in such a manner almost as if introducing himself.
"An Appoplexian, I've always wanted one of these. I've heard they make amusing pets once you break them in".
Growling at the taunt Rath slashed his claw across the warlord's face, Rath managed to put some distance between them before he could once more get trapped by vilgax's vice-like grip.. His fury almost consumed him but the small sub conscious human part of him allowed him to keep his cool.
His furry fist slammed the dial on his chest and once more he was the small silicone based alien and promptly split into three.
"It seems you didn't learn your lesson Tennyson. No matter how many Sonosians you become, it won't matter. I've battled hordes of these and come out on top".
"Who's to say I'm not going to be teaching you a lesson Vilgax. In fact, I'm going to take a page out of your book", returned the closest clone. As one they turned the dial on their chests, eliciting a strange beep from each.
"On three. One, three!"
Triple flashes of light briefly blinded Vilgax but when the light faded there was a sight he had not accounted for.
Where three Sonosians had stood, in their places was a Crystalsapien, Galvanic Mechamorph and a Loboan, the werewolf-like alien of the bunch wasted no time jumping right in with a sonic howl blasting Vilgax back a few feet.
The warlord stabbed his sword and began to try and push through the attack, but was rebuffed further as two more streams of energy were added to the assault pushing him back further.
But with the addition of the powers he'd taken from his previous victories he was able to push through, pushing closer and closer to the weakest of the three attacks, his sword still in hand changing into bluish crystals.
As he grew closer the sword, still absorbing the Cystalsapiens energy, had become cloaked in the energy, the reflected energy flared off acting as a shield to wave off the other Omnitrix alien's attacks.
As he continued enduring the triple assault the crystalsapien gave out first falling to its knees exhausted, Upgrade and Blitzwolfer following suit in their shared exhaustion.
The Chromastone looked up seeing red eyes glaring back at him but a sickening smile grew as he brought his sword high. "So long Tennyson"
Before anyone could blink the sword changed to purple crystal and dropped down to cleave into the last of its kind.
In a blinding explosion of light and shattered stone, Chromastone was shattered into hundreds of pieces, the symbol of the Omnitrix falling into the heap of rock.
A beat of silence.
Then the screaming started.
Or rather a pained howl and a garbled screech as the two remaining clones cried out in pain.
Vilgax ignored it in favour of scuffing away pieces of the shattered hero with his boot and picked up the piece of technology he had been after. "Victory has never felt so sweet"
/:M-10:\
She knew that mop of brown hair. She knew the way he walked, even if he was wearing some super suit, she knew it could only be him who would answer the call to fight the alien that had been the centre of her nightmares.
Gwen Tennyson, Lucky Girl or as she was now known as mystic watched as her cousin marched to what she hoped wasn't his death. Several screens were focused on the broadcasted fight, both news channels showing a poorly censored version just blocking his eyes with a black rectangle. The other screens however showed their own techs broadcast of the fight, an image so clear she could see the emerald green of his eyes.
She wanted to be there for him, even fight beside him, but she was under orders along with the rest of her team. Though given that the one who'd given the order was now in chains, she didn't know if that order was still valid.
She'd only joined the team a few months ago so she did not know if they would also disobey orders to follow her and given how close uncanny valley and Eagle were to their mentors she couldn't see that happening.
Despite her turmoil her eyes never left the screen, watching as her cousin changed into new aliens and trying different ways to combat the overgrown squid. Her hopes rose as he suddenly became three different aliens, two of which she knew and launched a triple attack. She thought Ben had him, but that thought quickly dies when Vilgax simply walked through the attack.
Her breath hitched as the sword was lifted up high and as it was brought down she was sure her heart stopped for a second.
Gwen ignored the screens showing Vilgax revelling in his victory holding the badge of the Omnitrix instead focussing on the remaining clones of Ben as they cried out in pain.
Then suddenly the crying out stopped and both remaining aliens slumped over.
She still had hope.
She knew he could do this.
"Win this, Ben" she whispered, her eyes briefly illuminating pink.
/:M-10:\
He was about to add the piece of Omnitrix to his collective pieces of armour when the screaming suddenly halted.
He turned, confused, towards the remaining aliens thinking that he might just see the others turning to dust. But instead the others were still, slumped over before raising up straight, their green eyes or patterns glowing a toxic green.
Then a strong vibration came from his hand, the same hand holding his prize when despite his great strength, it simply shot out of his hand coming to a stop next to the other clones as feeds of energy emerged from both forming and twisting forming what looked like a strand of DNA. He looked down feeling something underfoot. A piece of the former chromasapien vibrated before it too joined the badge.
Before long every piece on the floor began gravitating towards the lump of rocks. Vilgax tried to stop whatever this was from happening when the still intact heroes turned towards him, unleashing their attacks once more but with more force than before.
"Tennyson!"
Before he could try to retaliate the park was once more flooded in green and where the congealment of rocks were, now stood another near extinct species.
"You're in trouble now Vilgax, I've had a lot of practice with this one".
With practised ease the Petrosapien's hands changed and only his quick reflexes stopped him from getting a crystal bullet to the face
Crack. With a practised swipe of his arms blade, Diamondhead shattered the golden gauntlets.
"No more shields Vilgax"
"I have no need for shields Tennyson, I can tear you apart without it, limb from limb".
"Wow, graphic much". Remarked Diamondhead creating a second blade arm. "Then again, I've always wanted to try calamari" he taunted and smirked as Vilgax tried another eye beam attack that simply reflected off his diamond skin.
'Gotcha' Diamondhead thought, his skills at trash talk always worked. While distracted, his Upgrade self slithered around behind Vilgax before engulfing him. The pieces of armament coating the warlord fizzled and cracked breaking apart, even his sword was not exempt from the tech-slimes power. And even the steroid enhancement system that weaved through his biceps began to wither away.
He had one last object to break before things went wrong. Upgrade shifted his mass attempting to break vilgax's last weapon, an inconspicuous bracelet, but the moment his form made contact, his body began to burn. Vilgax laughed as the mechamorph quickly retreated.
"Did you think that I would come unprepared? Over the years I have scoured the universe for weapons to defeat every alien species I would come across. And for this battle I have prepared items to defeat every one of your alien forms, including the ones you have been using recently".
Upgrade's liquid form slipped off vilgax's wrists, the green lines now red and a sizzling sound could be heard from his chest.
As one the Omnitrix symbol on his chest began to flash red. One by one, Upgrade, Diamondhead and Blitzwolfer changed back into a clone of Echo Echo.
The trio of Sonorosians hadn't even managed to reform themselves before the battle-axe that had remained untouched since the fight started, flew across the field towards vilgax's outstretched hand. The two clones that were unlucky enough to be in its path were cleaved apart before disappearing in green light.
With the other clones destroyed, the remaining Sonorosian reverted back into Ben, a large patch of his suit showing burn damage. Whatever the device was that had damaged Upgrade had inflicted enough damage to impact his human form as well.
"That's some weapon you got there" he whined inspecting his arm that still felt tingly.
"This is your last chance to surrender Ben Tennyson, if you give up now I will make your death quick and painless".
"You know I can't do that, I can't surrender or die, because either option would give you the earth and the Omnitrix. So the only option for me is to win. And if there's something I've learned from having the Omnitrix all these years, is that it pulls through in moments like these".
*Bee-beep*
*Analysis of DNA sample 'Cat Noir' complete*
*Ancestral Species Identified and Unlocked*
*Ardenian Missusa*
*Available on playlist three*
"Heh, told ya. Ready for round three".
With a quick dial up Ben transformed to the 15th time that day.
Information streamed into his brain from the Omnitrix, its intuitive feature put to work.
Instruction of how the alien operated flashed to the forefront of his mind, a function Ben wished the Omnitrix had when he was ten.
His body felt robotic but nowhere as fluid as Upgrade's. His face felt solid with no muscles that he could feel. It almost felt like he was in a space suit or a containment suit.
"A new transformation won't save you Tennyson. A bug in the end is still a bug". Vilgax yelled, bringing his axe to attack.
"I am no bug". He returned charging up the power within his fists. It took him a second to notice he wasn't actually touching the ground, but rather flying.
Vilgax brought his Axe from overhead preparing to cut him in two. But Ben countered with an uppercut intercepting the Axe and creating a huge shock wave that cracked the earth around them and sent Vilgax careening up and smashed against the forcefield keeping him in.
"I am, Err, Atomix" his voice sounded strange as if coming out of a fifties radio.
Waving his hands as if imitating the karate kid, more swirls of radioactive energy condensed into a ball half his size with rings as if a planet. The still airborne Vilgax began to drop, heading straight for the newly christened Atomix.
"HAA-MEE-NA HAA-MEE-NA HAA-MEE-NA! Nuclear Winner!"
The energy stored blasting away from him, bursting out in a shockwave outwards and upwards, destroying a few of vilgax's drones and breaking the shield.
The shield protecting the heroes along with the machine remained intact, later he would find out that thanks to grandpa Max and a plumber named Jerry, who had used the sewers below the park to place an additional shield protecting them from his final attack.
As for his opponent.
"I..cough...won't surrender... to you".
A part of his leg was missing along with his left arm which if Ben had to guess had tried to use the shield diamondhead had shattered earlier.
The Omnitrix flashed as a timeout forced him to revert back to human. "Tough, you lost Vilgax. Take your loss with dignity".
Psyphon seemed reluctant to call the victory to Ben. An unknown voice called out instead. In a flash of teleportation a figure appeared bearing the uniform and insignia of the plumbers. The arrival was cyan in colour with four tentacles for hair. Her presence was one of no nonsense and had the stature of a professional.
"The challenger has been defeated" Magistrata Ju continued coolly in a voice that kept little room for argument.
"You are in no way fit for further combat, warlord Vilgax. And to the victor of the conquerors challenge?" She asked, looking at each, but getting no answer.
"Hang on, my prize wasn't even discussed, so.."
"Then per the rulings of the conquerors challenge should the challenger lose to the recipient of said challenge, and full terms of victory have not been agreed on the winning party may make three directives that must be followed".
"Oh can I now?"
An evil glint came to Ben's eye as he slowly approached the defeated warlord. "Hmm, maybe I could…no, that's…or maybe…" Ben secretly took a little bit of joy in messing with Vilgax.
"Mr Tennyson if we could please be serious about this". Said the head of the plumbers. "But bear in mind there is a limit as the victor of the challenge that you can extend".
"Right okay. First order, Vilgax will return the powers of those he has won in previous conquerors challenges".
"First request is accepted, next"
"Second is that Vilgax will release all of your prisoners"
"Also acceptable and your final directive"
"That Vilgax will leave the earth along with his army and never set foot in my planetary system ever again"
"Your final request is also acceptable. Challenger Vilgax, do you understand the terms of your loss?"
"I…understand" he grunted out looking like he'd swallowed something sour.
Vilgax as per instructed, moved over to the device. The earth heroes had been unchained and immediately took a good distance from it.
The machine started up and arcs of electricity sparked off the Chimera Sui Generis Before being absorbed into the device. Fifteen round glowing orbs were produced which were collected by the plumber officers who had come with the Magistrata. "These shall be returned immediately to the heroes whose power was taken"
Without another word, Vilgax and his lackey teleported away, the giant spaceship turning and blasting away into earth's atmosphere before it disappeared from sight.
"Can I grab a smoothie before we head back?". Ben said breaking the tension
With peace restored the gathering of heroes or those who had remained in the small city took a short detour to Bellwoods local Mr smoothie. The saviour of earth now back in his earth clothing and his alien partner hid his features beneath his hooded jacket.
Now back home Ben had taken it upon himself to teach rook about his favourite delicacy. The table had been taken up by a variety of flavours for the tasting.
A jovial scene observed by one such observer who bore a striking resemblance.
But the smile he wore was nowhere close. It was sinister and promised reckoning.
"It really is like looking in a mirror. I'll see you soon, Tennyson" in a flash of light he was gone.
And that's the end of that chapter