Omarnosian10: First chapter of the year, here we go!
Shadow: …A Mario reference?
Omarnosian10: The first of many kinds.
Rouge: The chapter?
Omarnosian10: Right. Anyway, with this done, I'm two chapters away from finishing the first Omniverse arc.
Ben: What do you mean, 'Omniverse Arc'?
Omarnosian10: Spoilers. Now, ON WITH THE SHOW!
Disclaimer: I do not own Ben 10, Sonic the Hedgehog, or any other franchises mentioned here. They belong to Man of Action, Sega, and their respective owners. The transcript used for portions of this chapter before I edited belongs to Shadow-DJ and GammaTron. Ownerships of OC Alien Forms, including Power-Ups, are in profile.
Chapter 8: Have I Got a Deal for You
(Undertown)
Undertown was on a rather peaceful day, many people doing their daily routines, including Hokestar who was humming along, moving his metallic cart and occasionally blowing the horn.
"Oh, what a fine day of… (hears ruckus) Huh?" blinked Hokestar, looking to see a group of people nearby. Smirking, he neared them before activating his cart and showing off his product.
"Ahem…Welcome, my dear friends! Come and be amazed by my newest product! From the alchemical genius of…" monologued Hokestar before noticing that everyone was just passing him by. Flatly, he dragged a hand down his face before hearing a commotion. Curious, he moved his cart around and noticed a cheering crowd. Smirking, he brought his phone out.
"Plugg, get here my boy. Come to the corner of Jupiter Drive and Nebula Boulevard." Hokestar walked over and looked to see what the commotion was about… and paled. 'Oh dear, not him!'
"Since when were you a team player Sunder?" jested AmpFibian (UA design), struggling to hold up an axe threatening to slice him in half.
"Come on Tennyson, did you forget our little reunion back in Paris?" grinned Sunder (UA design with OV clothes and scars). At the mention of the homeland of the person that his ex cheated on him for, AmpFibian narrowed his eyes before electricity came out of his body, traveling through the axe and shocking Sunder. The Birjan was forced to back off, gliding a few meters away.
"Surrender your Omnitrix, girlie, and this can all be over!" laughed Jozotic, tightening the chain lasso around a red, female humanoid manta ray-like alien with pink eyes, black outlines on her face, yellow horns extending from her nose, gills underneath her arms and yellow patagia. Her outfit consists of a black leather two-piece with the pink Omnitrix symbol on her stomach.
"Sorry, Six-Eyes, but Mantaraya ain't selling this piece to some outdated hunter." frowned the Aerophibian before firing pink neuroshock beams at the chain, cutting it and freeing herself. Growling, Jozotic brought out his anchor blade before sending energy slashes at Mantaraya, who only dodged with ease before firing back.
HAWK
PREY MANTIS
CHEETAH
CHIMERA Fu~SION!
"Activating Prey Mantis Blades!" In a red/green/yellow blur, the energy slashes burst before they could hit anyone; Omega doing crowd control.
"Are you sure, girlie? I've hunted a fair share of Aerophibians and know some things that you don't." laughed Jozotic, swatting a neuroshock blast back with his anchor blade. Feeling her attack hit, Mantaraya fell onto her back, stunned. "Such as their lack of exemption to their beams!"
"Ugh…" growled Mantaraya, her body struggling to stand. Sinisterly laughing, Jozotic crept towards her, caressing his sickle hand, the prosthetic gleaming. Just as the Zokukian prepared to plunge it into her heart…
"Power Surge!" The female Omnitrix wielder got saved by Sunder getting launched into Jozotic, the former being covered in electric burns that almost resemble slap marks. Tumbling, the bounty hunters got piled up.
"Are you hurt?" AmpFibian descended on his girlfriend, quickly sending an electric shock that restarted her body.
"Nothing but my pride, handsome." smiled Mantaraya, being helped up.
"Ugh, rubbish!" gagged Jozotic; he and Sunder getting up, the latter glaring at his overloaded glider a few yards away.
"I know the feeling," groaned Sunder, remembering last year.
"Hey babe, remember that move I showed you as Jetray?" asked AmpFibian, charging his arm tendrils with lightning.
"Are we talking about that move or 'that' move?" grinned Mantaraya suggestively.
"GET A ROOM!"
"The one I made up during Vilgax's invasion last year," answered AmpFibian cheekily. Doing the same, Mantaraya flew up, eyes and tail glowing with pink energy.
"Tri-Shot!" She fired neuroshock beams from them, which then combined into a large laser that soared toward the hunters.
"Lightning Spear!" Taking a page out of their absent teammate's book, the Amperi conjured multiple spears made of blue electricity before launching them. At the sight of the attacks, Sunder took out an energy shield… which fizzled out due to overcharge from AmpFibian's assault. Jozotic has only one thing to say in response to this.
"I hate this planet." The attacks consumed the hunters in an explosion. Once the smoke was blown away, they were revealed to be barely conscious, covered in many energy burns.
"All yours, Omega." waved AmpFibian.
"Rebuttal; Would it not be a better option to wait for the local Plumbers to take these miscreants to confinement?" asked Omega, approaching his teammates.
"Normally, but someone has to check on Shadow at the sick bay." shrugged Mantaraya pitifully.
"Admission; How the Ultimate Lifeform could contract illness from Magister Tennyson's cooking both confounds… and disturbs me." shook Omega, the tiniest hint of fear in his voice.
"It's not my fault he accepted the bet." shrugged AmpFibian, reverting. With that, Omega slung the bounty hunters over his shoulders like potato sacks before zooming away.
"Well done, Mr. Tennyson. I have to say, you and your team have quite the effect on the community." The couple turned to see a Transmune walk over, tipping his hat.
"…Who the heck are you?" synced Ben and Rouge.
"(chuckles) Well, my good man and madam, I am Blarney T. Hokestar of the planet Philosophorum VII, at your service. As a proud member of the proud race of Transmunes, I would like to give you both a token of appreciation for your hard work," explained Hokestar as he got out a small bottle. "My patented Miracle Elixir!"
"…Wha?"
"(chuckles) Indeed, my dear children. I am here to give you the deal of a lifetime; if you may endorse my product, I'm sure you will find it very impressive." pressed Hokestar.
"Yeah, not buying it," said Rouge flatly. Hokestar chuckled and patted her on the head.
"Yes, yes of course. I can understand that. How about I test it and you'll see for yourself." nodded Hokestar. Rouge and Ben gave each other a flat stare.
"How about you don't?" asked Rouge.
"Alright, I need an able-bodied volunteer… hmm… YOU my boy!" said Hokestar, pointing to a 'bystander'.
"Uh, sure, why not." Solid Plugg walked up.
"Well now, here is a rather healthy young creature. What's your name, my boy?" asked Hokestar. Plugg looked at the crowd nervously and shifted a bit before reading some writing on his arm, which didn't go unnoticed by the couple.
"I am Solid Plugg, sir. Just an average citizen… Whom you have never met." introduced Plugg slowly.
"Yes, yes, of course. So my good man, would you like to test my miracle elixir? IT can fix many a problem, my boy. Alchemy is all about equivalent exchange, as you know. And with this, it can bring something in exchange for it. Say…a full head of hair in exchange for the dry scales that are on that shiny scalp." said Hokestar, petting Plugg's head.
"If Vector and Espio were here, I'm sure they'd find this offensive," whispered Ben. Rouge hid a giggle, imagining their faces.
"Uh…sure, why not. I do not see the problem with that, Professor." Plugg read from his other arm. Hokestar chuckled and opened the vial before clearing his throat.
"And now…I just put it on your scalp, and rub vigorously…" Hokestar did so with his lower arms.
"Hey, that actually feels kinda nice, boss." hummed Plugg lowly.
'You mean he didn't even test it?!' Ben and Rouge exchanged alarmed looks. Seeing this, Hokestar nervously chuckled before backing up.
"And soon, the results," said Hokestar. Suddenly the sound of rippling is heard. Ben, Rouge, and the crowd watched with shock as they saw green hair come out of his head, making the crowd whisper to themselves. "Voila! A full head of hair!" Suddenly flowers grew out of it, making several stare in shock. "…with flowers, that aren't even in season. Hmm, interesting. Guess it must be a species thing."
"That species part is not a joke. I remember an alien that I gave chocolate to end up skin and bones mere minutes afterward…" hissed Ben, remembering Ultimos. Not many people knew that one of the few things he did in his Super State after destroying Dagon was tap into Alien X's power and return the powers Vilgax stole to their rightful owners.
"Well, uh…what a miracle! I was bald only moments ago and now, from here on, I am not… but uh, can I get some scissors or something? Ya know, get it down to a length I'll be OK with?" asked Plugg.
"Of course. And if you want this amazing mixture, it's just 2 taydens a bottle," said Hokestar, gaining the audience's interest.
"I'll take one."
"I'll take two." Hokestar chuckled while selling the ones on him and motioned them to his cart.
"Be sure to spend wisely. (smirks at Ben) Well, you see, business is booming quite well." bragged Hokestar.
"Yeah…sorry, but not buying it still." shook Ben, getting Argit vibes from the salesman.
"As many say, there is one born every minute." nodded Rouge. The couple prepares to leave… only for Hokestar to suddenly be by them, likely running over.
"Well, I do love the challenge of a hard sell. Come on along, I'll show you my stock to see if you have anything that you may want," said Hokestar, dragging the two by the arms with his lower arms, and making the two yell out. Soon, they were brought over to a cart-like spaceship, which looked like a steampunk jet spacecraft. Hokestar pressed a button which opened a cart, revealing many different items.
"Ta-da! These are various items I have bought or traded since arriving on Earth. If you have something of interest here, that is good. If you cannot find it here…it's likely nonexistent." explained Hokestar. Curious, the couple looked over the merchandise. For a moment, Rouge could've sworn Ben kept his eye on something but couldn't see it.
"Looks like nothing but tourist—"
"Whoa, what is this?" Rouge picked up a necklace made up of smooth, red crystals. "I know a lot of gems except for this kind. What is it?"
"Weirdly, it kinda reminds me of Diamondhead," noted Ben, stepping closer.
"Ah yes, funny you should mention your Petrosapien form. These crystals were formed by a 'cousin' race, the Rubrus. They were formally isolated due to Petropia's… unfortunate fate, but when you restored it, they decided to open their doors to tourists and travelers alike. (Rouge gets a gleam in her eyes) …You like it? You can have it, free of charge." offered Hokestar.
"…Why so generous with something that might cost a fortune?" asked Ben, seeing that Rouge is dreaming of a world made of gems.
"Well, it's very durable so I do not have to worry about it being damaged unless somewhere with special frequencies. But as for the real reason… it's not a bad idea to have a one-man superhero team, or say…his whole group as a spokesman, now would it my boy? (smiles at Rouge) Especially when someone as lovely as you are his companion, yes?" flattered Hokestar. Just as Ben looks at him flatly, Rouge snaps out of her trance and drags Ben away, eyes manic.
"How'd it go, boss? You get him?" asked Plugg, walking up with his 'hair' in a mullet. Hokestar only chuckled.
"Patience, my boy. All in due time… although given the look his lover has, I'm willing to bet that it won't be for too long."
(Later, Undertown Alley)
"Assessment: I have completed the imprisonment of… Inquiry; what did I miss?" Omega, remaining in Hawk/Mantis/Cheetah Formation, found Rouge kissing all over Ben's face, the latter's hair disheveled and the former wearing her new accessory.
"Met a salesman that gave Rouge a necklace made from a cousin race to Diamondhead… Found out that I had a hand in restoring it… Been like this for last minute…" explained Ben, stopping whenever Rouge reached his mouth. Omega shook his head, having seen this coming with his teammate's love of gems. It's surprising that she hadn't overused her Petrosapien and Crystalsapien forms.
"Additional inquiry: Why have you two not attempted to mate?" asked Omega. Rouge snapped out of her lovestruck trance, shuddering.
"You have Mrs. Tennyson to thank for that. She doesn't want us to give each other our first time until we're both of age." shook Rouge. Relieved/disappointed to be free, Ben took out a badge.
"Hey, Shadow, you still at HQ?"
"BLLLAAAGGGHHH…"
"I'll take that as a yes… Anyway, I need you to look up Professor Blarney T. Hokestar,"
"On it… (groans) Oh, why… Ahem, got it. Blarney T. Hokestar, a flim-flam man from Philosophorum VII; a planet renowned for its skills in the art of Alchemy. Ironically, he had a couple of bad run-ins with that pirate you brought in. Anyway, Plumbers don't consider him a threat; at worst he is a major nuisance and has a few restraining orders from Galactic celebrities. He barely even makes a blip in the radar." informed Shadow.
"So he's basically harmless?" asked Rouge.
"As a fly. He has legitimate business licenses and there is nothing 'technically' illegal about selling stuff that is faulty when you don't have ads promising anything." answered Shadow.
"Good to know… Still, we'll call you in case something comes up," stated Ben.
"Under… Oh man, BATHROOM!" That was all that sounded out before comms cut off.
"…Ben, promise me that you won't have your grandpa's tastes when you cook." pleaded Rouge, showing a bit of cleavage for leverage.
"Don't worry, I know a few good chefs that'll knock your socks off," assured Ben, thinking of Chowder and…
"I've been looking for you, Ben Tennyson!" Jumping, the couple turns to see a Florauna clad in hippie clothes.
"Identify yourself, Florauna," ordered Omega, Mantis Blades glowing.
"Easy, easy. (raises hands peacefully) Name's Pax and I need you three's help freeing the poor alien Hokestar's keeping hostage." assured Pax.
"…OK, I'm gonna need a bit more context." frowned Ben warily, shielding Rouge from the Florauna.
"What are you doing?" frowned Rouge.
"Bunch of Wildvines almost ate Gwen during our first trip to find Azmuth years ago. If it wasn't for an acquaintance, they would've succeeded," explained Ben lowly. Rouge winced. That sounds horrible.
"Woah! Not me man! (retracts 'ear' made of vines near couple) I care about another lifeform too much to eat them. Straight solartarian." swore Pax.
"Sola— So you don't wanna eat the hostage?" asked Ben.
"No way man, I wanna free it! He's milking the poor thing for his so-called 'Miracle Elixir' man!" explained Pax.
"D—did you say 'milking'?" cringed Ben. Rouge, on the other hand, is blushing.
"Teammate Rouge, need I remind you that not all races capable of producing milk are similar to Cow Mobians," noted Omega dryly.
'Cow Mobi—oh,' blushed Ben, realizing where Rouge's mind drifted.
"Inquiry: Do you have any evidence of the crime you accuse Hokestar of?" asked Omega, seeing that the couple is daydreaming.
"How's this, man?! (takes out paper) Had a buddy of mine check out what this stuff is made of and found one of the ingredients being milk from an endangered species." answered Pax, giving it to Omega. Powering down the Blades looking it over with Hawk Vision and confirming its authenticity, the robot nodded.
"Teammates Ben and Rouge, we have a new objective…"
(Outside Hokestar's shop)
"Hey Professor, you home?" Ben knocked on the door, the others behind him.
"…Sounds like nobody's home." hummed Rouge after a few moments. Given that her hearing is the best out of the group, Team DARK agreed.
"Omega, do your thing," nodded Ben, stepping back.
"Activating Hawk Vision. (lens glow) Observation; The only living organism in the abode is one female Screegit in its miniature form." noted Omega, having reverted to his base Formation.
"Huh… buddy never said whether it was dude or dudette…" hummed Pax.
"Is she hurt?" asked Pax.
"Negatory; body lacks scars or bruising of any sort. However, the specimen is confined in an airtight spherical barrier which, given its capabilities in the current atmosphere, is wise," noted Omega.
"What do you mean?" frowned Ben worriedly while Rouge slapped Pax's mouth before he could say anything.
"When exposed to a nitrogen-enriched atmosphere, Screegits assume their larger, more feral form," explained Omega.
"MMPH!" Pax tried to yell off Rouge's hand.
"Reminds me of those popcorn lovers from last year with meat. OK… Omega, can you tell if Hokestar has any papers and legal stuff?" winced Ben.
"Negatory."
"Knew it couldn't be easy… Alright, I'll sneak in and check it more thoroughly. You two keep guard and—"
"BZZT!" Pax fell face-first, Omega's hand lighting up with Eel electricity.
"Make sure Pax doesn't do anything stupid." sighed Ben, activating the Ultimatrix and slamming it, turning into…
"Ghostfreak." The Ectonurite (UA design with OV chains) phased into the ship, looking around.
"Man, I know a few geniuses that would like this place… or insult it. (looks more) Omega, I don't see the Screegit or anything alive here." informed Ghostfreak through the comms.
"Explanation; the spacecraft has a mechanism created to shield the Screegit from thieves such as our 'friend' here would be had he likely not come to us for aid," answered Omega.
"I regret nothing, man! BZZT!"
"So gotta find something like a hidden switch… Should've gone Upgrade instead. (notices machine) Well, hello." hummed Ghostfreak before pressing a random button and turning intangible out of caution. Instantly, the lights turn on and part of the floor opens up before a podium rises from it, holding the creature in a yellow energy ball almost like a hamster's. "Think I found it…"
"Behold, the Screegit. It's one of the rarest creatures in the whole universe, only about a thousand left in the entire wild of its home world," explained Pax.
"How did you get conscious so fast?!" asked Rouge.
"There's nothing I won't do for the Screegit!" declared Pax. Groaning, Ghostfreak shut off the comms before switching.
"Shadow?"
"Uh… what?" gagged the ex-Mobian. At the same time, the Screegit wakes up and gives a cute-sounding yawn.
"Can you look up info on a Florauna named Pax? Don't know if they have last names or not." requested Ghostfreak.
"…Give me a moment… This guy would not like Eggman, at all." winced Shadow.
"Why do you make that sound like a bad thing?" dreaded Ghostfreak.
"He's been in Plumber jail for several well-intentioned incidents, often releasing endangered animals… but either ignoring or not knowing that said endangered species was very harmful due to the environment it was in," explained Shadow.
"And let me guess, a Screegit counts as one of those?" asked Ghostfreak dryly.
"…Definitely. It doesn't matter how little of the atmosphere is made of nitrogen, or if it's breathing something else. Any prolonged full body contact with it turns it into—"
"A large, feral beast? Well, there goes the plan of using Grey Matter to make a rebreather for it and everyone becomes happy." groaned Ghostfreak.
"Alright, got your location and prepping up an animal control team and citation for Pax," informed Shadow.
"While you do that, I'll keep searching for the legal stuff." nodded Ghostfreak, hanging up before finding another button. Pressing it, he watches the machine whirred to life, creating a suction that causes the spines to come to the tip and get into the hoses. The Screegit gave a relieved sigh while the machine began to put the liquid through a processing machine that whirled and filled a nearby bottle drop by drop until stopping. "…Oh man, I think I'm gonna puke."
"What's going on here?!" screamed Hokestar's voice from outside the spacecraft. Worried, Ghostfreak swiftly turned the comms on.
"…Oh, pistachios…" swore Pax.
"I know this looks bad, sir b—"
"Move a muscle and I'll vaporize all of you where y—woah!"
*BANG!*
"OH MY GOD! YOU KILLED HIM!"
"What?!" Ghostfreak quickly phased through the wall to see what was happening… and saw only Pax's vines, "…what did you do?!"
"I—i–i—i—it was a mistake! He just jumped right out in front of me!" freaked Hokestar, holding a musket-like blaster in one of his hands, "I swear I wasn't trying to…!"
"Wait, hold on. You only blasted him apart. Yeah, he'll be fine." sighed Ghostfreak.
"What?!" glared Rouge.
"Wildvines have the same regenerating powers as Swampfire; he'll grow back like nothing happened." shrugged Ghostfreak.
"…You mean nothing like that," Rouge pointed at where the vines… were.
"What? Where did they…? (glass shattering is heard) …That was Pax, wasn't it?" deadpanned Ghostfreak.
"Affirmative."
"Free the Screegit!" Pax declared from inside Hokestar's building.
"Gh?!" Hokestar freaked and quickly pressed something on the side, opening the door and showing Pax about to smash the bubble the Screegit was in, "Wait don't!"
"No! Me and my friends here are free it from its life of torment!" argued Pax.
"My teammates were only acquainted with this Florauna recently." protested Omega.
"Torment?! I would never do such a thing! If anything, I treat him like he was my own child!" shouted Hokestar.
"You keep your family locked up in a cage?!" snapped Pax.
"It's for his own safety! Along with ours!" reasoned Hokestar.
"What kind of idiots do you take us for?!" scoffed Pax.
"Like Omega said, not with him!" added Rouge quickly.
"Do you have paperwork for the Screegit?" asked Ghostfreak, hoping to stop this chaos.
"Of course I do! (pulls out set of papers from lower left glove) Keep them with me at all times if someone asks. Now please don't let that bubble break!" pleaded Hokestar.
"We know. Nitrogen is bad for it. Pax, step away from the Screegit." ordered Ghostfreak.
"No way! Keeping a living thing caged up is… is just cruel man!" argued Pax.
"Did you forget the part where it can grow and go feral when loose?!" snapped Rouge.
"It's worse as long as Hokestar continues to milk it for a profit!" argued Pax.
"My boy, do you even know the first thing about a Screegit? It requires a daily milking to prevent infections and sickness," explained Hokestar. Pax scowled in response.
"Again, what kind o—"
"That's it, Plan B!" Before Pax could react, Ghostfreak phased into him, overshadowing the Florauna and turning his eye green with black cracked sclera. "Omega, now!"
"Understood. (power cuffs G—Pax, the Ectonurite quickly ejecting and knocking out the Florauna) Apologies for disturbing you, Professor. This Florauna came to us with information regarding the illegal harboring of an endangered species." explained Omega.
"But these papers are legit." nodded Rouge, looking them over. As a former thief, she can tell a forgery from a genuine article.
"…It is fine, young lady. To be honest… (sighed in annoyance) You would not believe how many times I've dealt with those radicals of the ETETA," said Hokestar.
"The ET—ity—what?"
"Extraterrestrials for The Ethical Treatment of Aliens. I believe you have one for animals called 'PETA' here." compared Hokestar.
"Oh those guys… (reverts) Still, we'll take Pax out and see if you can get a restraining order on him," assured Ben.
"Please do…" nodded Hokestar before looking at the bubble the Screegit was in, "I can't even imagine what would happen if those ETETA radicals touched one hair on my precious Screegit."
"Speaking of the Screegit… I know what happens when they're exposed to nitrogen as a gas, but what about liquid?" asked Ben, trailing behind his teammates.
"My boy, it acts as a sedative of sorts when ingested, and the growth effect remains. On skin contact, it makes them drowsy," explained Hokestar.
"Huh… good to know."
(Ben's Room)
"How much longer is your surprise gonna wait?" pleaded Ben, lying on his bed.
"Almost… done!" answered Rouge before getting in the room, clad in—
"Oh… My… God…" The sight of the Raider-inspired cowgirl outfit had blood flowing into Ben's face and…
"You like what you see?" grinned Rouge seductively, posing. Ben had to use all his willpower to resist the urge to—
"Ugh, bad news. Pax escaped." Shadow ruined the moment through the comms.
"…what?" The littlest amount of anger possible could be found in the couple's voices.
"I am in the presence of Hokestar, whose abode is littered with Florauna pod residue that matches our fugitive," added Omega.
"AND MY PRECIOUS ERI IS ON THE LOOSE!"
"…Eri?" The couple echoed, confused.
"Explanation; The identification of the Screegit that was in Hokestar's possession and broken loose by our fugitive," explained Omega.
"A giant, out-of-control animal on the loose? Just another day of my life." sighed Ben, sitting up.
"Worry not, my boy! I keep several spare containment orbs in case of emergencies. However, when you find her, make sure to have something to suck out the nitrogen when you contain her. And make sure you have one big enough!" ordered Hokestar.
"…How big are we talking?"
(Outside)
"…We're gonna need a bigger hamster ball." Was all Ben could say at the sight of the Screegit in her larger form moving and drooling acid several dozen meters away from the couple and Omega — Default.
"No kidding… She's as big as the Egg Emperor," noted Rouge.
"Update; Fugitive Pax is in sight," added Omega, pointing at the gaping Florauna.
"I just don't understand man…this only happens in nitrogen atmospheres… don't humans breathe oxygen? It's just c—ACK!" coughed Pax when he was tackled to the ground and then battered by Rath.
"Restrain yourself, teammate Ben!" ordered Omega, using his Eel Whips to try prying Rath off of Pax, the Appoplexian currently strangling him by his neck.
"What was that for, man…" groaned Pax after his head regrew.
"LEMME TELL YOU SOMETHING PAX THE ETETA ACTIVIST, WHO IS ONLY SIGNIFICANTLY SMARTER THAN HIS BRETHERN ON XENON! RATH'S HOME HAS TONS OF NITROGEN IN THE AIR!" roared Rath.
"Well why didn't you say so, man…?" asked Pax.
"RATH DID! SEVERAL TIMES YOU NINCOMPOOP! RATH WOULD USE OTHER, HARSHER WORDS BUT CAN'T RISK CHILDREN BEING PRESENT!"
"Omega, what can the Screegit do like that?" asked Rouge.
"In its gargantuan form, Screegits possess corrosive, non-flammable acidic saliva, an extra pair of arms with above average strength, and are highly resistant to blunt and pyrokinetic attacks," informed Omega.
"So no Geoblaze or Chloroflare… what do they eat?" asked Rouge.
"Screegits are herbivores, also known as plant-eaters," added Omega. At that, Team DARK gained a glint in their eyes, looking at Pax.
"Why are you three looking at me like…whoa!?" cried Pax before being dragged off.
"LEMME TELL YA SOMETHING ERI THE SCREEGIT, RATH HAS A SPECIAL TREAT FOR YOU HERE!" called Rath, holding Pax up over his head.
"H-hey! Wh—" began Pax before Eri bit his head off, only for it to regrow, "Not cool man!"
"Hmph…" The Screegit pulled a few faces before she spat out the head she ate, which soon melted from the acidic spit.
"DON'T LIKE THE HEAD?! THEN TRY THE LEGS!" suggested Rath, flipping Pax and dangling him before running off, leading Eri down the road.
"Good work, babe! (Eri crashes through train tracks) Oh sweet Chao…" groaned Rouge.
"Command; Shut down all the trains in Bellwood in our coordinates. An overhead set of tracks has been destroyed," warned Omega into comms.
"We are on it, but we think one train is already on route in that direction."
"He's right!" panicked Rouge, hearing one on its way now. Activating her Omnitrix, Rouge quickly pressed the core down, turning into…
"Gemshard!" Forming claws on her fingers, the Petrosapien climbed up to the tracks and caught sight of the train approaching. Remembering all the lessons Ben gave her, Gemshard turned her arms into spikes and stabbed them into the bridge. In mere moments, crystal came out of it and connected to the other side, forming a replacement track. Sighing, Gemshard extracted her arms, reverting them.
"Hope that wor— YAGH!" Seeing that the train was coming too close for comfort, Gemshard jumped off the tracks… and into Rath's waiting arms.
"Falling from heaven?" grinned Rath softly. Cooing, Gemshard kissed him. So into their kiss, they didn't notice Rath reverting.
"Ugh…" Pax lies next to a melted car, bruises coating him. Omega shook his head before hearing a scooter. Looking back, he sees Hokestar and Plugg coming up in one, the former driving.
"Oh, good show my lady! (couple separates) You're a Petrosapien! Just what we need to keep the creature contained." noted Hokestar.
"Huh?" blinked Gemshard, confused.
"Of course! (snaps finger) Diamondheads can make a dome that's not only airtight but acidproof." realized Ben, lightly lowering Gemshard.
"Indeed. You put the creature into that shell and I can use this Filter-Vac to remove the nitrogen. Thus allowing it to be contained." suggested Hokestar.
"But I've never made anything that big before," frowned Gemshard.
"Rouge… (holds hands) You're one of the greatest experts I know when it comes to gems. If anyone can do it, it's you," assured Ben. If it was anatomically possible, Gemshard would be blushing.
"OK, if you're sure… (Pax faintly growls) What?" frowned the Petrosapien.
"Just make sure to not hurt it, OK?" pleaded Pax. Ben only nodded before activating the Ultimatrix and slamming the core, transforming into…
"Stinkfly? Haven't used this guy in… ever. (shakes head) Anyway, while you trap it, the others and I'll search around and make sure nobody gets close." ordered the Lepidopterran (UAF design). Omega and the others nod before scattering. Eri, now getting larger, roared out before Gemshard ran in front of her and punched the ground, forming a crystal wall blocking the Screegit.
"That's far enough, girl." asserted Gemshard. Eri only spat acid at the wall, the liquid fruitlessly dripping down.
"I hope you know what you're doing, Rouge," muttered Stinkfly, flying a civilian away. While the Lepidopterran knew that Petrosapiens are extremely durable and good for defense, that didn't stop him from worrying about his girlfriend.
"You're giving my gender a bad name. (Eri roars) Well, time for the hard way." sighed Gemshard before stomping. Suddenly, crystals grew from the ground around Eri's feet, shackling her in place. While the Screegit roars and tries to break out, Gemshard puts her hands on the ground and closes her eyes. Walls of crystal then rose from around Eri, entrapping her in a pyramid made of crystal.
"Professor, now!" shouted Stinkfly when he returned, seeing the pyramid begin to vibrate.
"On my way, my dear!" said Hokestar, rushing over and inserting the device into a slot Gemshard made. Quickly, Hokestar pressed a button, expelling the nitrogen out of the pyramid through his device.
"So… how long is this supposed to take?" asked Stinkfly, landing beside Hokestar and reverting.
"It should be done right about… now. (pulls device out) You are free to let it go while we still have it. (Gemshard nods and retracts pyramid, revealing Eri in her tamed form, who was quickly trapped in containment sphere) There you go, girl." sighed Hokestar, lifting it.
"So… it looks like it's a happy ending, as far as we can tell," noted Ben, looking around.
"Okay, my precious little girl, let's get you home a—" Hokestar cuddled with the bubble… only for Pax to snatch it.
"No! Free the Screegit! Free the Screegit!" screamed Pax, running.
"…Omega, is it considered police brutality if the person running is an escapee… and an idiot?" asked Ben, Rath's hologram set up.
"Answer; Only if the individual harmed requires medical assistance," replied Omega.
"But Wildvines regenerate…" reminded Gemshard, reverting.
"Ultimatrix, don't bail on me now!" shouted Ben, bolting after Pax and transforming. "RATH! LEMME TELL YOU SOMETHING!"
"Free the Scr—AHH!"
(Ten Minutes Later)
"Go ahead! Lock me…ow…up again," groaned Pax, covered in bruises and cuts while some Plumbers carried him off, "Then I can feel how my brethren and sisters feel after you stole their freedom!"
"…Hot." blushed Rouge.
"Your companion, sir. (hands contained Screegit back to Hokestar) Recommendation; I advise you to be more cautious…also add protection for species similar to Pax that can perform infiltration for your Screegit so it doesn't lose its container once more." suggested Omega.
"After what happened today, I'm considering it. Still, thank you so much for helping and for asking if I had the paperwork for having him. Most tend not to ask and simply react." huffed Hokestar.
"Yeah… That sounds like something Sonic or Knuckles would do." roasted Rouge.
"Ya know… now that I've calmed down from my anger high, any chance I could buy some bottles of that elixer you sell? (gets look from Rouge) What? You saw what it did with that guy and what the little guy's milk does for plants. I'm hoping to give them to Mom for her garden." explained Ben.
"Correct; Screegit milk, when mixed with the correct agents, becomes a highly potent fertilizer." nodded Omega. Hokestar's eyes turned into stars.
"You never thought of that, did you?" realized Ben.
"No, I have not, and thank you thank you, THANK YOU, for such a brilliant idea!" beamed Hokestar.
"Well business ideas aside, we'll need to up Pax's cell, When asked how he escaped, he just said: 'The Universe provided a way,' and then explained the vent in his cell was blown open suddenly," explained Rouge.
"A glitch, maybe?" scratched Ben. In the distance, Khyber hummed as he lowered his scope.
"You impress me Tennyson, but I had hoped you'd handle the creature yourself. I may not have a Screegit pelt… but this addition to my arsenal was worth it." chuckled Khyber, holding up the Nemetrix…
…with a silhouette of a Screegit.
Ben: You're giving Zed a Screegit form?!
Omarnosian10: It's confirmed in the wiki that the Nemetrix accepts Screegit DNA.
Omega: Indeed.
Rouge: Were you going to have that form debut in this chapter?
Omarnosian10: That, along with another, but I decided to scrap it and save them for the arc finale.
Shadow: Speaking of scrap, why'd you use Jozotic from Cosmic Fury?
Omarnosian10: People often forget this, but plenty of PR villains were active before their enemy teams' debut, Jozotic being one of them.
Ben: And what about his employment with Squid Ink Inc.… Ugh, what a horrible name.
Omanrosian10: Agreed, and this takes place YEARS before that. Also, to any questions this chapter might've brought up, Sunder's species was never named in the show, and given that his design was based on Terrax from Marvel, I figured they could share species.
Omega: A flaw of Ben 10 and PR series; their laziness in most species' backgrounds.
Omarnosian10: Amen to that. Also, Jozotic's species is a reference to his SS counterpart's inspiration for his appearance and role. Finally, the Screegit's name is Irish like Hokestar's first name, and it means 'Blessed Prize'.
Rouge: I thought you named her after the girl from MHA?
Omarnosian10: No, I did a bit of research on Irish pet names and stumbled on it.
Shadow: Anyway, is the Predator & Prey 2-Parter up next?
Omarnosian10: No, because like I did with "The More Things Change", I'm combining both parts into a single chapter.
Omega: Then what will the next chapter be?
Omarnosian10: You'll have to wait and find out. SMOKEBOMB!