At last, Chapter 7 Remake 2.0 is here.
Chapter 7: A Time For Apologies.
Magix Dimension
We see Ben as he lumbers through a forest, distant from the Magix residents, on an undiscovered road. Ben, to be honest, knew he wouldn't get very far on the Omnitrix given the ten-minute time limit. He wished now that he could recall the combination that got him access to the master control the first time. Ben was thus far getting by on a pointless quest. But the trip wasn't entirely pointless because he used the time to begin practicing his powers. In this brief time, he had learned how to launch up to three mini-tornadoes, stay airborne for a brief while, and then need to wait for a recharge. However, a few trees and the majority of the enormous rocks sustained some harm as a result of the self-training. The young hero was left in complete stillness for over thirty minutes until the dragon wind attempted to reason with him.
"Ben? Ben?" Dragon Wind said, having materialized as a diminutive form of herself.
Ben said, maintaining his attention on the trail, "I already know what you're going to say. I'm not going back."
The Dragonwind begged, "Ben, please, be reasonable. You know as well as I do that you're no match for the combined powers of those dark magic users. And if they have already uncovered the statue of the seven dragons by the moment we find them, I do not doubt that they'll absorb me into that accursed statue."
"Hey, that reminds me. I've been meaning to ask you about something." Ben said.
Dragon Wind said, "Oh? What is it, Benjamin?"
"You continue to point out the statues of the seven dragons. But as much as we know, we only know where two of these dragons are." Ben responded. "What about the other five dragons?"
Dragon Wind questioned, "What are you getting at?"
"Listen, if the wizards do find the statue before we do, then the reason not do the next best thing and find the other dragons? You keep telling me that I simply don't have the power to take on the wizards myself as well. But if we possessed some extra power, then we'd be able to take down the wizards and get rid of the statue at the same time!" Ben clarified.
Dragonwind turned away and remarked, "Well Benjamin, I have to say that does sound like a sensible plan. And it would possibly work. If not for the various flaws in it."
Ben said, "What? What flaws?"
"To start with, we have no idea where the other dragons are and no way of tracking them. We left our home and scattered across time and space in search of worthy vessels when we sealed the statue, so if someone were to find it again, they would have to search for decades, unless they had some kind of unique tracking system. Second, we're not exactly sure how long we have to look for the other dragons. Believe me, that could happen if I knew where they were. And therein is the third shortcoming. Only the practitioners of evil magic would benefit from having all the dragons in one location. They would have all the dragons in one location if we were to fail in any way to stop them from accomplishing their objective." Dragon Wind said.
Ben, looking a little dejected, added, "Yeesh, guess that plans out the window."
Ben exclaimed, "Well then, I guess it-Gah!" as he suddenly experienced an unseen pressure in his head.
Dragon Wind was concerned and questioned, "Ben? What is it?"
"I'm not sure," Ben answered. "I feel something. Something's coming…"
Dragon Wind said, "Well, isn't this a surprise? You're developing your magic sense."
Ben questioned, "Magic sense?"
"It's an ability magic users have to detect each other. If there's a strong enough magic of the body, then those with the ability will be capable of detecting it. That's how the Winx had first found you in Gardenia Park. The shockwave of magic that vibrated after the dimensional portal opened had covered you when you crashed. presently, it'll take a bit of time for you to become used to it, but you should be able to identify the ones approaching. So, what can you tell me about these sources of magic?" Dragon Wind replied.
After figuring out that Bloom and Stella were the magic sources, Ben remarked, "It's hard to make out. But...they don't seem to be bad guys. No..no in fact I'm almost certain that these are good guys. Or should I say, good girls? It's Bloom and Stella. They must have come to bring me back to the school."
Dragon Wind remarked, "Really? That's good. Now we can return and-."
Ben interrupted, saying, "Who said anything about going back?"
"Ben, don't tell me you're still set on finding the wizards on your own." Dragon Wind replied.
Ben exclaimed, having raced into the trees to avoid being seen, "Damn right I am. And I'm not about to let them try and stop me."
Bloom said, "Ben? Where are you?"
"We know you're here, Ben. We've seen what you did to the trees. Look, I'm sorry I made you run away. I didn't mean all that stuff about everything being your fault. But you have to forget it and come back. This is not the time to be acting like a bra-." Stella yelled.
Bloom yelled, "Stella, look out!" as a ball of wind energy came directly for Stella. Stella had just escaped the blow.
Stella said, "Hey! What the heck was that for?!" in anger.
Ben yelled, while hidden, "I'm going to find the wizards on my own. I'm not going back to Alfea. You girls are welcome to join in, but don't be surprised when I've beaten them down by the time you get there."
"Ben, listen to yourself. You can't do this on your own. Just look at what good that's gotten you so far. Do you even want to see your family again?" Bloom replied.
Ben said, "Duh! Of course, I do! But-."
"Well if you go after the Wizards by yourself you might get bad," Stella responded.
He came behind them and said in a voice that was all too familiar, "Oh come now. We're not really all that bad." To their dismay, the trio discovered Ogron, Hex, and Charmcaster suspended in midair.
Bloom and Stella exclaimed, "Ogron!" simultaneously.
Ogron grinned and said, "Hello again, fairies. I hope you've been doing well since our last encounter."
She mockingly said, "Sure doesn't look like it from what I'm seeing. What's wrong? You have a little fight?" as she passed by the downed trees from Ben's training.
Stella answered, "That's none of your business, Witch."
Charmcaster said, "Hey wait, where's the alien kid?" realizing he was missing from sight.
The few devastated trees in the area were being examined by Charmcaster when she noticed a medium-sized missile made of wind flying directly toward her.
"What the...?" Charmcaster exclaimed as a wind-based attack approached her too quickly for her to react and utilize her small stones to deflect it.
Fortunately for Charmcaster, Ogron had pushed her aside with ease and was ready to absorb the hit.
"I'll take care of this, wench. Get out of the way." Ogron smiled and extended his arm.
However, Ogron was taken aback by how suddenly the strike appeared.
Ogron exclaimed, "What is this?!" since he wasn't exactly sure what the attack was meant to accomplish. However, before the attack could reach him closely enough for him to absorb it, it detonated, severing his body ten times with winds as sharp as razors.
Ogron made a swift aerial recovery to halt himself just as he was about to hit the ground.
Ogron yelled, apparently irritated by the unexpected onslaught, "What the heck was that? whoever's hiding, show yourself now!"
There was a short green light, and then ten fireballs were shooting out of the jungle. They are all the same size as the wind attack that came before.
Unfortunately, Charmcaster was ready for this assault as she hurled swiftly purple magic stones to deflect the majority of the damage and protect Ogron.
As she waited for Ben to appear, Charmcaster stated, folding her arms, "Now that attack I remember, pretty sly pulling a sneak attack like that kid, but we know you're there so you might as well come out now!"
Heatblast laughed and said, "Heh, alright, you asked for it." He suddenly materialized in front of them and shot out of the trees, hurtling toward a burning Charmcaster.
Charmcaster said, "There you are!" as she started chanting a spell.
But Heatblast was already a few meters from Charmcaster when she was about to finish her spell.
Charmcaster attempted to defend herself with her arms as soon as Heatblast approached. But as she opened her eyes, she saw that he was simply floating before her, grinning.
Charmcaster exclaimed, "What? Why did...?" upon noticing Heatblast floating.
"HA! Two for flinching!" Heatblast grinned, his fists blazing intensely as he tightened them. The very next instant, Charmcaster lost her equilibrium after being struck once in her gut by Heatblast.
Stella, Bloom, and Ogron were astounded to witness Ben execute such a vicious maneuver. Charmcaster was demoralized, if only for a few while, which left him open to more attacks. Ben, however, was thrown back a good distance from Charmcaster by a tree before he could strike the sorceress again.
In the end, Heatblast skidded a few feet to the ground and came to a stop.
Heatblast exclaimed, "Agh, who put that tree there?"
Ogron grinned and peered down at Heatblast, saying, "I must say hero, I didn't expect you to give us a show, I'm impressed."
Charmcaster snarled, gripping her stomach. "Tch...why didn't you do anything before he attacked me?" she asked. The burn from the prior attack was still there.
Ogron said, earning Charmcaster a simple glare in return. "I wanted to see where this was going."
Stella and Bloom had flown down to check on Ben, but they were momentarily sidetracked.
Stella grinned as heatblast stood up, saying, "Hey Ben, are you alright? I imagine getting hit by a tree doesn't feel too good."
Heatblast said, "I will be alright, just as soon as I send those two packing!" as he hurriedly stood up and headed back toward Charmcaster and Ogron.
But Bloom had swiftly stopped him from going any more before he could get near.
Bloom said "Ben, hold it for a minute!" and stopped Heatblast.
Heatblast said as he attempted to pass Bloom, "Get out of my way, Bloom! I can handle this myself," but she wouldn't let him go.
"No you can't. You may be able to take care of Charmcaster because she's from your world, but Ogron is on a different level than you know!" Bloom clarified.
Stella started, "She's right. Playing the solo act is only going to get your butt kicked. So I would suggest…" but was abruptly stopped by a fireball that zoomed directly by her, narrowly missing her hair.
Stella, her face hot with rage, yelled, "HEY! What the heck was that for? You could have burned my hair off!"
Heatblast had said, "Look behind you." and gestured to the remnants of a few runic rock creatures that Charmcaster had left behind.
Charmcaster frowned and said, "Dang, almost had her."
"Remember our primary focus here, we're here for the one possessing the dragon flame. Eliminate the other pests." Hex said.
Gazing at the wreckage of the shattered animals, Bloom remarked, "That was a close one Stella, those weird pets of hers almost had you."
Stella huffed and turned her head, "Yeah well, Ben didn't have to fire that thing when I was still talking, that's just plain rude."
Heatblast charged toward Charmcaster and Ogron once more, saying, "Whatever, now if you'll excuse me I have business to take care of."
Bloom sighed as she and Stella took to the sky to pursue Ben once more. "Ben! I thought I told you it's too dangerous to fight those two alone."
"Here he comes again." The charmcaster continued to concentrate on Heatblast as she readied a magical strike.
Ogron smirked and slid next to Charmcaster, saying, "I think it's time we put the little hero in his place."
Still furious with Ogron for allowing her to take that hit, Charmcaster asked, "We? Does that mean you actually plan on helping me or are you just going to'see how things play out?"
Ogron comforted her, saying, "Ooh, someone's in a bad mood. Rest assured that at least he will experience pain."
Heatblast threw a few fireballs at the two wizards, saying, "This time I'll make sure I get both of you!"
However, Gantlos showed up and used his ability to lift a bigger tree than before from the ground and from its roots. He then utilized the tree as a barrier to stop the Heatblast fire strike. Not too long after Gantlos threw the tree to Heatblast. However, Heatblast had grinned as he flew up and over the approaching tree, neatly avoiding it.
Heatblast moaned, "HA! You're going to have to do better than that... uh oh." Charmcaster had just completed charging for a spell.
There was a weird rumbling beneath Heatblast, and Charmcaster cried out, "TERRA RESTRICTION!"
Heatblast was looking down at the ground when two fists that were entirely composed of rock, dirt, and muck sprang up out of the earth and seized Heatblast.
Heatblast cried out, "GAH!" as he could feel the elemental fists squeezing him more tightly.
Charmcaster smirked as the pressure on Ben gradually increased. "Even though you learned a few new tricks you still can't resist falling into a trap can you Tennyson?" he asked.
As Ogron charged at the captured hero, ready to strike him with a face full of magical retribution, he said, "Very good Charmcaster, now I believe it's time we squash this little firefly."
However, Ogron was forced to retreat just a few inches when Bloom's attack shut him off just as he was about to attack Ben.
"What now?" Ogron asked, suddenly struck by a burst of sunlight. Ogron was forced to meet the attack head-on because he was unable to reposition himself to deflect it. In the end, he was thrown against a nearby boulder.
Ogron snarled as Stella and Bloom landed next to Heatblast, "Tch... persistent pesterer's."
Stella pointed to Heatblast and said, "Bloom told you that it was a bad idea to take it alone."
Heatblast Screamed, feeling his bones crumble every second, "GAH, fine, fine, I get your point! Now get me out of this thing!"
Stella grinned, "Not until you say sorry."
which caused Ben to yell.
"WHAT?! Are you kidding me?! I'm going to be an alien pancake in just a few seconds, get me out of here NOW!" Heatblast continued to yell.
Stella said in a sing-song manner, "That doesn't sound like an apology to me."
"STELLA!" said Bloom, growing irritated at Stella's demeanor.
"Oh, okay," Stella sighed, telling her to smash the fists that were squeezing Ben.
It would take Ben some time to move again because he still needed to heal from that spell. He had collapsed to the ground, panting for air.
Stella turned to face Bloom, who was now glaring at her, and said, "There, I at least expect a thank you."
Stella questioned, as if she had done nothing wrong, "What?" However, before they could dispute, a second rock golem charged directly for them. It hit a tree with its head after the two leaped out of the way.
Stella yelled, "Excuse me, I was talking here," as she threw another solar blast at the golem, right as it charged once again. But Bloom's scream was heard by Ben and Stella shortly before the golem was destroyed.
Ben and Stella turned to see Bloom shackled in black magic chains, and Bloom yelled, "Aaaah! Stella!"
"I feel this little fight has gotten tiresome. All we needed was your friend here." Ogron replied.
Heatblast asked, "What are you planning to do with her?"
"As it turns out, we need this little gal to find what we're looking for." Gantlos replied. "Now if you don't mind, I think we've stayed here long enough."
Bloom cried out, "Agh! Stella, Ben, Help!" as she kept struggling. But a black tape appeared over her mouth, instantly silencing her calls for aid.
"Yeah, just because we have to take you with us doesn't mean we have to listen to your constant whining." Charmcaster said.
Heatblast yelled, "You let her go right now!" after hurling a fireball at the wizards. However, they had just run away to avoid being struck in different directions. At that moment, he used a piece of earth that he had consumed by flames to dash towards them.
Just as Ben was about to arrive, Ogron and his allies vanished in a whirlwind of evil power, saying, "Sorry, but that's all the time we have to spend today."
Heatblast murmured, "Dang it! Lost 'em." The Omnitrix dial on his chest glowed red at that same instant. Just before it timed out, he'd dropped to the ground and changed back into Ben.
Ben turned to face Stella and said, "Alright, go on. Say it."
"Huh? Say what?" Stella inquired.
Ben shot back, "Don't act like you don't know! You were going to scold me about if I didn't act like a baby and run off, Bloom would still be here. I know you're thinking about it."
Stella said, "Well, you said it already, so I kind of don't need to say it. But listen, we're not going to get anywhere if we keep at each other's throats. The wizards have not only gotten a map to that dragon statue, but they have Bloom too. I know we aren't exactly the best of friends. So, until we save her and stop the wizards, how about a truce?" Stella asked with her hand extended. Ben had averted his gaze once more for a little moment before turning it back.
With a sigh, Ben shook her hand and murmured, "Fine. Truce. So, what are we going to do now? They've taken Bloom and are probably heading for that statue thing. And we can't even follow them."
"Actually, that was part of the reason we came to get you," Stella replied.
Ben said, "What do you mean?"
"The Dragon Wind was there during the sealing of the statue. So it would make sense that she would remember where it was put away. We would have been able to beat the wizards to the statue and destroy it." Stella replied.
Ben said in disbelief as Dragon Wind appeared, "Wait, what? Seriously? Dragon Wind, did you know about this?"
"Indeed. I did. And you are right. I do remember where the statue was sealed away." Dragon Wind responded,
Ben questioned aggressively, "Well then, you didn't say anything?"
"Because one, again, you can't take them on by yourself. And two, before leaving that place, a magical barrier was set up so that no other person could reach the statue by simply teleporting in. We need a mode of transportation. Maybe Saladin and his students might be able to provide some assistance." Dragon Wind replied.
With a quick smile, Stella answered, "I agree with you completely. Come on. Let's hurry. There's no time to waste."
"I'll meet you back there. The watch timed out so I can't get back to the school as fast." Ben said.
Stella started to walk over to Ben and said, "Sorry, but we don't have time to wait around."
"H-hey, what are you-?" Ben questioned, taking a few steps back.
Ben was made to blush a shade of crimson that would make a tomato proud as Stella grabbed him and wrapped him close to her chest without saying anything.
"Aaaa...what...let me go!" stammered Ben.
When Stella and Ben lifted off the ground, she said, "Just hold on." and went back to Alfea.
Meanwhile in an unknown location on Magix….
The Wizards of Black Circle, Hex, and Charmcaster had materialized in front of a massive stone wall that appeared to be the edge of a forest.
Hex said, "All right, this is the place. So Ms Bloom, I hope you're ready to assist us.". Naturally, Bloom was still bound, making her unable to talk clearly.
Charmcaster waved her finger, casting a charm to take the tape out of Bloom's mouth, and murmured, "Oh, forgot about that."
Bloom's mouth tape vanished, enabling Bloom to talk.
"I'm not going to help you. No matter what you do, I'm not going to help you take over Magix." Bloom said with defiance.
Hex removed a flask containing a dark substance and remarked, "You may say that now. But after you drink this. I think you'll reconsider."
"Wha...what is that?" Bloom questioned, her expression showing concern.
Ogron replied, "This little fairy is the minus potion."
Bloom asked, "The minus potion?" even though she already knew the news was horrific.
"This little beauty fuels a certain type of spell. A spell that transforms the recipient into their darker self. And from what we've heard about Dark Bloom…I'm sure she'll be more cooperative than you." Ogron said.
It had been a while since Bloom had considered the wicked form she had assumed as a result of being manipulated by Darkar, so hearing that name truly scared her.
"How are you aware of..." asked Bloom.
Hex remarked, "We stole much more than a book during our times in the forbidden archives. It was quite surprising to find one about you. Any good girl can go bad with the right incentive." He had opened the flask to let a horrible mist of black pour out.
Ogron remarked, "Now, dear master, if you would be so kind," after Hex had cleared the way and set the flask in front of Bloom. Bloom had started to fight desperately against her shackles in an attempt to escape. But it was in vain because as she struggled, they only got tighter.
Hex had cast the magic by stepping in front of her and chanting old phrases. Before long, the mist emanating from the flask started to slither about Bloom. She soon felt as though her body was locking up and going limp. Bloom's body went limp after a time. All of a sudden, she had started to change. It resembled her Believix metamorphosis, but her attire now had a gothic feel about it. The contents in the flask had become black, precisely like her hair. Her eyes had become yellow, slitting like the eye of a snake.
Bloom's lovely wings were tarnished by the wicked power that had invaded her, turning them into bat wings.
"Wow... that is a powerful spell," Charmcaster exclaimed, sounding a little amazed.
Gantlos said with that glint in his eye, "Hey...she pulls off the look quite nicely."
The new Dark Bloom had said, "Keep your hands to yourself, creep. Unless you prefer I burn them off for you."
Gantlos retreated, saying, "Woah, easy there. We're on the same side here."
"Hmph, for now. I guess I should thank you. You don't know how annoying it is to be trapped in such a goody-goody for so long." Dark Bloom said.
Duman had just dropped to Earth in the form of a crow and changed back to human.
"Hmph, for now. I guess I should thank you. You don't know how annoying it is to be trapped in such a goody-goody for so long." Dark Bloom said.
Duman, who had just discovered Dark Bloom, said, "There's definitely something over there. But there's a barrier keeping me from going any further. Oh Hello dear, and what's your name?" .
"Careful Duman. It's still the same fairy girl from Alfea. She just went through a much-needed change is all." Ogron replied.
Anagan asked, "So, how do we get past the barrier?"
Ogron turned to Dark Bloom and said, "Our new friend here will open the way for us. Isn't that right?"
Dark Bloom scoffed as she moved in front of the stone wall and held out her hand, saying, "Whatever." The wall had lit up with a sequence of symbols as soon as she touched it, and then a doorway had opened through the wall, leading to a crumbling castle. Which had stood above a chasm encircled by flowing water.
"Nice," Duman exclaimed as he started to go forward.
"The statue should be just ahead of here," Hex replied.
With the group flying approaching the old building, Charmcaster couldn't help but give their new recruit a suspicious look.
"Something wrong?" Dark Bloom enquired, having spotted Charmcaster's stare.
After turning aside, Charmcaster remarked, "Huh? Oh, it's nothing."
The number of dark magic users has increased by one since Dark Bloom has reappeared. They now possess the key to locate the dragon statue. Will they discover it before the others can step in, though? And just what kind of power is this new Dark Bloom?
Chapter 7 (2.0) is now done waiting for Chapter 8 (2.0).