Ben X Chapter 23
Treasure Hunt Arc
Mission Briefing
Ben walked into the large conference room and looked around. There were a large amount of familiar plumbers milling about. Most of them were of higher ranks. He could spot Magister Patelliday chatting with Molly Gunther and Zorian, both of whom were wearing their special issue red plumber armor and Zorian sporting his white beret. Sitting at the table nervously twiddling his thumbs was Hobble. He could also spot Gwen and Kevin chatting a bit nearby. Next to them was Julie who was still clutching onto Ship protectively. Ben felt his eyes drift towards her but he remembered their conversation from the other day and forced his gaze in a different direction. He didn't want to push his luck with her after what she had mentioned to him. He had thought about her words for the rest of the day. He was fine, more in control than ever. At least that's what he told himself.
"Yo Ben!" His thoughts on the matter were interrupted by a boisterous voice calling him. Ben looked up to see a familiar trio walking his way. "Long time no see! Bring it brother!" Said Manny Armstrong as he enveloped Ben in a crushing hug with all four of his arms. Ben winced as he was crushed by Manny's super strength but patted him on the back. Flanking him with warm smiles on their faces were Helen Wheels and Alan Albright. As Manny released him from his grip, Helen followed up with a much less intense hug followed by Alan offering a simple fist bump.
"Manny, Helen, Alan! It's good to see you guys." Ben replied.
"It's been too long Ben." Helen replied. "Is it true you spent the last three years on Hazard?" She asked with concern in her voice.
"Oh, yeah." Ben admitted sheepishly.
"Man you know I've heard that place is crazy dangerous! Why'd you go there?" Alan asked.
"Oh well, you know, I just needed a place to get away from it all, focus on what really mattered." Ben said quietly. Manny scoffed.
"You make it sound like a vacation." He said.
"Trust me it definitely wasn't. But on the upside I've got Master Control of the Omnitrix now. Oh also have you guys met Trixie." Ben said, getting desperate to change the topic. He lifted up his arm and allowed Trixie's hologram to pop up.
"Hello everyone. It's so nice to meet you all." Trixie said with a bow. The three Plumbers crowded around the watch, peering down at the holographic girl.
"Uh, nice to meet you too." Alan said unsure.
"Aw, you're so adorable!" Helen squealed.
"So you're an AI huh?" Manny asked.
"Yep! But don't be fooled. I'm advanced enough to essentially be my own person!" Trixie responded.
"Hey do us a favor and keep an eye on Ben. He can be a handful." Helen asked with a wink.
"Oh trust me , I know." Trixie giggled.
"Alright, alright." Ben complained. The group shared a laugh before they were interrupted as Max entered the room, followed closely by Rook.
"Alright, everybody, take your seats. The mission briefing is about to begin." Max called out. Ben and the others found their way to seats, with Ben sitting between Rook and Max on the left side of the table. He watched as Team Lucy, consisting of Lucy, Kai, Cooper, and Charmcaster walked in shortly after. Kai took position up at the front of the room next to the floating display screen. She looked around at the multitude of faces and suddenly felt nervous. Her eyes wanted to drift over to Ben but she resisted the urge. Instead she saw both Lucy and Charmcaster giving her thumbs up from the opposite side of the table from him.
"Good morning everyone," Kai began. "As you all know, this briefing is to catch everyone up to speed on the situation with the Demiurge Hammer." Kai said as images began to appear on screen. "Let's start with what we know for certain. Approximately two months ago Vilgax escaped from his imprisonment on Incarcecon. We're not sure how exactly he did it but eye witness accounts seem to agree that an outside assailant broke in to free him. The identity of this individual is unknown and there is no camera footage of the break in." She said while images of the prison and ruined cells showed up on screen. The screen blinked and revealed an array of portraits of various well known villains. "A few days after his escape Vilgax came to Earth and declared his search for the Demiurge Hammer. He then dropped off the radar until Ben and his group encountered him recently. Unfortunately no trace of him has been found since his ship exploded, but it is likely that he survived." She finished.
Images of Addwaitya and Malware popped up next. "These are the next two individuals who are confirmed to be searching for the hammer as well. Malware is a mutated Galvanic Mechamorph, integrates technology into himself, should be considered highly dangerous and armed at all times. Addwaitya is a master class sorceror, who once ruled over the domain of magic. It can be assumed that they learned of the Hammer through the same way as Vilgax." The pictures faded and another two came up to replace them. "We also have unconfirmed reports that Zs'Skayr and Aggregor are after the hammer as well. We have picked up images that seem to show Aggregor on various intergalactic stations. Zs'Skayr's whereabouts are still unknown however." Kai finished.
The screen changed and began to show various lines of text, pictures of engraved stone tablets with words and pictures of figures on them. The centermost image however was of a rectangular box with open lines at the top and bottom. In it's center was a four pointed star with the top and bottom points extending upwards through the box. "Moving on to the actual subject itself. The Demiurge Hammer is a mysterious relic that appears in the folklore and cultural history of well over a hundred alien civilizations. This is mostly owed to the existence of these stone tablets." She said gesturing to the pictures. "These relics have been found on multiple different planets and range in ages with the oldest being over a thousand years old according to carbon dating. The contents of the tablets all vary but share a couple of common factors. Firstly they all mention the existence of the Demiurge Hammer with a brief description of its alleged powers. Secondly, the majority of the tablets seem to act as guidestones, leading to other tablets or locations associated with the Hammer. The last piece of information is by far the most confounding." Kai said seriously. "All of the tablets are written in the same language. Now that's not as special as you would think at first as there have been multiple early space-faring civilizations that have left behind artifacts on disparate planets. But what is unique about the tablets is that all of them so far appear to share the same ancient language." Kai explained.
"It's still unknown who or what placed the tablets in their respective locations. And we have definitive evidence showing that there are multiple trails spanning multiple planets and star systems." Kai explained pointing to diagrams of planets connected by dotted lines.
"Since the tablets had been translated there have been thousands of individuals following the trail and seeking out the Demiurge Hammer. The last lines of the tablet's engravings usually point to the next in the trail. Kind of like a treasure hunt. But while there are multiple trails, our analysis has shown that most of them are red herrings and don't actually lead anywhere." Kai said as many of the trails began to end in red crossed out circle graphics. "We've narrowed down our search to what we believe will be the most reliable trails to start with." She said pointing out a set of four trails. "Each of these tablet locations have been corroborated to have three known tablet locations preceding them, as well as verifiable landmarks matching descriptions on the previous tablets. As such each of the locations marked here have high probability of leading to tablets which will direct us to the location of the Demiurge Hammer." Kai finished explaining.
The images on the screen changed again to show pictures of four different landscapes. One was a vast desert environment with rectangular buildings and ruins amongst orange sandy soil. The second image depicted a large mountain with several caves and chasms running through it. The third was a large river with fields and plains on either bank. Finally the last image depicted a sprawling alien city atop a dusty brown background.
"These are the four locations that we have narrowed down as the likely locations of tablets. I'll hand over the presentation to Rook who will complete the briefing." Kai said before trading off with Rook and having a seat at the table.
"Thank you Ms. Green." Rook said as he took position at the front of the room. "Please listen closely to your assignments." He said pointing at the different landscapes. "Team Delta will explore the basin of the Tigress River on the planet Apoplexia. The Apoplexians were more than happy to leave us to play in the water, they cannot stand the stuff." Rook said, earning a slight chuckle from the group. "Team Delta will consist of myself, Magister Patelliday, Hobble, Molly, and Zorian." He finished. Rook moved his pointer to the desert landscape next.
"Team Gamma will explore the valley of chiefs in the Asrial desert on planet Khoros." Rook said next. "Team Gamma will consist of Manny Armstrong, Helen Wheels, Alan Albright, and additional plumbers on site already. Manny, the expedition has been cleared with the Red Winds but we will rely on you to settle any disputes that might arise with the locals." He finished. Manny gave a small salute and smile.
"Team Beta will explore the Magoran caverns on planet Umbron and will consist of Lucy Mann, Kai Green, Cooper Daniels, and Charmcaster." Rook said pointing to the images of the dark foreboding chasms. "I would advise you all to be extremely careful in these areas. These caverns are renowned for being difficult to navigate and unstable.
"Lastly, Team Alpha will consist of Ben, Gwen, Kevin, and Miss Yamamoto. You are tasked with exploring Crater City on the planet Cormorant." Rook stated pointed to the sprawling alien city. "Please exercise caution here as well. Crater City is a well known hive of scum and villainy. Multiple mafias are said to operate out of the city." Rook warned them.
"Wait, is the tablet somewhere in the city?" Ben asked confused.
"When the previous tablet was translated nearly fifty years ago it seemed to indicate that the next tablet was located at the bottom of the crater. Since then, multiple digs have been organized but none of them were successful. The city grew up as a result of housing the diggers and archaelogical staff. Over time, as the digs became less frequent, the mafias started to move in and set up shop." Kai explained.
"The local plumbers have already been contacted and will provide you with aid in your search. Further details will be included in your mission brief." Rook explained. He then began to hand out tablets to the individuals present. "Please review your mission details in full during your departure. Whichever group gets the location of the Demiurge first should alert the other groups. There is no telling if the other villains searching for the Demiurge have already found it so time is of the essence." Rook said as he finished his report. Max then stood up and headed to the front of the room.
"All right everyone, you all have your assignments. Gather your things, launch is in one hour and I expect you all to be on your respective ships." Max instructed as the Plumbers began leaving the room. Ben stood up, noting that Gwen had actually gone up to chat with Charmcaster, a smile on her face. The sorceress seemed to appreciate the gesture as the two exchanged words on their way out. Ben smiled at the display of friendship. Hopefully their friendship would continue, Gwen always said she wished she had someone she could talk magic too. He started to move out of the room when he noticed Kevin was still reading through his tablet and had not moved from his seat. Intrigued, Ben walked over to his friend and peered over his shoulder.
"What's up? You're not usually one to do your homework." Ben observed. Kevin shut off his tablet and glanced up.
"Haha, very funny." He retorted before standing. "Just got a bad feeling about this one is all." He said and the pair began to exit the conference room.
"Bad feeling how?" Ben asked.
"I'll tell you about it once we reach Cormorant. Right now though, I've gotta go pick up Zed before we leave." Kevin said.
"You're bringing her with us?" Ben asked
"Hey, if Julie gets to bring her pet why can't I bring mine?" Kevin responded.
"Fair point." Ben conceded.
"Speaking of which…" Kevin trailed off. But Ben only frowned.
"It's complicated… everything is. But she said she wanted to see this whole thing through, so I'm grateful for her help at least." Ben said. Kevin only nodded before his eyes looked past Ben.
"We'll talk about this all later, right now I think you've got other problems." Kevin said gesturing behind Ben with a nod of his head. Ben turned partially to see Kai walking towards them. Ben felt his nerves tighten at her approach.
"Later man, good luck." Kevin said in a whisper before patting Ben on the shoulder. Kai waited until Kevin had walked out of earshot to approach.
"Hey…" She said softly, arms folded and looking unsure.
"Hey." Ben replied back quietly. "Listen, I'm sorry about the other day…" Ben began.
"It's okay. But I did want to talk." Kai said. She looked nervous and timid, a picture that Ben never thought he'd see on her, and certainly one that made him uncomfortable. "Listen, are we… still together?" She asked with a hint of hope. Ben sighed at the question, knowing he couldn't avoid this any longer.
"Kai," He began unsure. "A friend told me recently that I should really take the time to think about whether I'm ready for a relationship again." He said. "If I'm being honest with you, my mental health hasn't been the greatest the last couple of years. And with everything that's going on now, I don't think I could handle us. I'm sorry. Maybe once this is all finished?" Ben suggested. By this point Kai had bitten her lip and turned her face away. Ben couldn't tell but she was supressing the urge to shed tears.
"Does it have anything to do with her?" Kai asked, trying to hide the animosity in her voice. "Your Ex?" She finished. Ben's eyes went wide before looking down at the floor.
"No. Trust me Julie's made it pretty clear to me…" He said trailing off. Kai breathed deeply before looking Ben back in the eye.
"You know you could have come to me sooner. I could have helped you with your problems." Kai said.
"I know, and I'm sorry. But like I said at the beginning of all this, I really think I needed to deal with it on my own." Ben explained. "Look, I know this isn't what you wanted to hear Kai, but I still care about you, never doubt that." Ben said grabbing her hand in his. Kai looked at the gesture with a blank sullen expression. "So are we still friends at least?" Ben asked hopefully.
Kai smiled despite the negative pit in her chest and squeezed Ben's hand. She looked up at him. "Yeah, we're okay." She said. She was taken by surprise when Ben reached out and hugged her. Ben was never much for physical contact outside of other activities, so the gesture was different than what she had expected. Ever since he had returned Ben had been like a different person. But maybe, it was for the best. Maybe Ben was right, and he needed to take this opportunity to grow. Slowly, Kai returned the warm hug. They stayed like that for several seconds before they each gradually released each other. They looked at each other with placid gentle smiles. They both were hurting to some degree, but there was an understanding between them.
"Take care, Kai." Ben wished her.
"You too, Ben." She responded. And with that the young couple parted and walked down opposite sides of the hallway.
No-One teleports into a darkened facility. The walls are stained with rust and the noise of pistons and gears fills the air. The factory has long since been abandoned. It suits his needs perfectly. He walks through the halls, passing the primitive machinery which he repurposed and brought back to life. Ironic, he thought, that wouldn't be the only resurrection he would perform here. He had gathered all the pieces, extricated them from their hiding places. He would have the capacity to rebuild him and hopefully ensnare him like the others. But he had purposefully left him to last, as this one's powers too closely mirrored his own. No-One traversed the empty factory with the final piece in hand. His rhythmic footsteps echoed in the metal shell of the facility like the tick-tock of an aging clock. Until finally, he at last reached his destination deep in the heart of the machinery.
No-One stepped up to the bed of steel which contained the other pieces. He took a deep breath to steady himself. Even from the disassembled parts one could make out the pattern in which they fit. He slowly began connecting the pieces, the mechanical components fitting together easily as though they longed for completion. No-One looked down and saw the compiled form of Maltruant. His body had been reassembled but he was still lifeless. That was fine, No-One knew that recreating the mechanical body was only one part of the plan. It was now time for the other. He spread his hands wide over the body. His hands and body glowed purple as he tapped into the time stream. He searched through the time stream for all the moments he was taken from. He had to find the loop and break it. His hands seized the golden glowing ring of chrono-energy. He bent at the ring, bending and twisting it with great effort. The time-loop strained against the effort, naturally resistant to breaking. But No-One summoned the energy from a thousand timelines, supplying enough power to sustain the paradox. The loop bent further and further until at last it snapped in an explosion of golden sparks and purple lightning.
The flashes of golden light sucked themselves into the vacant body of Maltruant. Immediately, the clockwork gears of his body began to turn and his body alighted with red glowing light. His eyes opened and his body creaked and groaned as it moved for the first time in millenia. Maltruant stood up and stretched his limbs, crying out in victory. He glanced down to see a nearly invisible silhouette staring up at him. Maltruant stalked forward, his heavy foot falls clanging against the metal ground.
"You are the one who freed me from that infernal prison?" He asked.
"Yes," Replied No-One. Maltruant's eyes narrowed.
"A temporal-spatial-dimensional phase shift. A clever three layer camoflauge. Unfortunately I can see through it. I know who you are." Maltruant threatened.
"A pity. I suppose that means I can't use you like the others." No-One responded. Maltruant cackled evilly.
"You are not strong enough to defeat me." Maltruant said.
"We shall see!" No-One shouted and pulled out a blaster. He shot Maltruant point blank with a a purple laser. Maltruant stumbled back in shock before grimacing and firing back with a beam of energy from his hands. The key atop his head spinning wildly the beams shot towards No-One. But the specter dodged to the right, moments before the beam impacted the ground. A second later revealed a large rusted hole in the floor right where No-One stood. The mysterious figure began firing blasts of purple lasers at Maltruant while dodging behind iron columns and machinery. The laser blasts peppered Maltruant's oversized body and caused him great annoyance.
"Stop moving you worm!" He called out before a shockwave of energy erupted from his body. The area surrounding them went still and quiet as he paused time. The machinery halted and even No-One fell still. But a second later his silhouette vibrated purple and No-One escaped from the pause continuing to run at Maltruant. He jumped into the air and kicked him in the chest. Maltruant crossed his arms to block the blow but was still sent skidding back several feet. "Of course, I should have realized you would be able to counter my time powers." Maltruant said. Suddenly he went on the offensive, throwing punches that smashed the thin metal panels on the ground. But No-One easily dodged these strikes, his smaller lither frame more nimble than Maltruant's own clunky bio-mechanical body.
"You cannot hope to touch me. I am far faster than you." No-One taunted as he dodged yet more strikes. Maltruant growled as the key atop his head spun faster and faster.
"Not for long!" Maltruant shouted. Suddenly with a burst of sudden speed Maltruant caught up to No-One. He grabbed the mysterious figure by his midsection and tossed him into a concrete wall. No-One grunted in pain at the collision. He slumped to the ground and narrowly dodged a red energy beam. No-One held out his left arm which shined purple before he began moving in a blur, faster than even Maltruant. The rogue Chronosapien's eyes went wide with shock at the sudden burst of speed. He soon was bombarded by laser fire and punches. Maltruant stumbled backwards, desperately trying to escape the flurry of attacks.
"Enough!" Maltruant suddenly screamed. His insides glowed with red power before the energy bursted forth in a huge beam of destruction. The enormous column of energy shot forth and impacted the wall. No-one ran through the quickly decaying factory as Maltruant chased him with the gigantic energy beam. Everything the beam touched rusted to dust and Maltruant spun around chasing No-One's quickly fleeing form. The darkness of the factory was soon replaced by blinding crimson light. At last after completing a full circle the energy ceased from Maltruant's body. He stood surveying the destruction around him. He breathed heavily, looking for any trace of No-One but the mystery figure seemed to have vanished.
"Gah!" Maltruant suddenly shouted in pain as he felt a searing hot energy stab through his shoulder. He looked down to see a blade made of purple energy protruding just to the left of his chest. Turning his head around he could see No-One extending the blade from his left arm. And although he could not see the man's face, he could have sworn he saw a sinister smile.
"Time's Up." No-One said. Maltruant could feel the energy drain from him and closed his eyes before both he and No-One vanished in a flash of violet light.