Ben 10: Cold Winter's Night V.2.0.
Chapter 1: The Winter Hero
I Don't Own Ben 10 or Any of the Respective Characters, The Rights Belong to Man of Action Studios and Cartoon Network
Author's Note:
* Hey there, people of the Internet! And Ben 10 fans. God, why did I open with that? Anyway, yes, I'm back. About six or seven months ago, I had to take a break to focus full-time on searching for a job. I'll have an update going over everything hopefully out tomorrow (or later today). I actually wanted to have the update out before this, but this ended up being finished first.
* So yes, this is the reboot/remake of Cold Winter's Night that I proposed in summer of last year. I decided to go through with it and brainstormed for a quite a while. This is what I ended up coming out with. There are things about this new version that I want to talk about, so I'll start at the beginning. I really love Ben 10. I don't talk about him a hell of a whole lot, but he's actually one of my favorite super heroes, up there with Spider-Man, Daredevil, and Batman (on some occasions, that is).
* The original series was actually one of my favorite animated cartoon shows growing up (and kinda still is), so that's why I decided to take heavy inspiration from the original show, as I probably should. I decided that I wanted V.2.0. of CWN to be a bit of a "remixed retelling" of the original show, except instead of Ben and Gwen being ten years old, they'll be 18, 19, and possibly 20 years old throughout the course of the story (I don't want this story to be longer than 100 chapters or so, so we'll see how much they physically age here).
* What I mean of "remixed retelling" is that I want to retell the basic story from the original series, but I also want to mix it up and keep people guessing. So, don't expect it to flow * exactly * like the original show, i.e.: And Then There Were Ten, Washington, B.C., The Krakken and Permanent Retirement. Retellings of episodes like Washington, B.C. won't take place in their original locations and events may be told out of order to keep people guessing and make it feel fresh.
* I'm not saying that this is my best work, but I put a lot of work into this one, so please be kind when critiquing it. Also, this version of Cold Winter's Night isn't going to be a one-for-one remake. Things will be changed, but it's generally the same story, just with the Omnitrix and super hero hijinks mixed in. Another thing is that Ben isn't going to be as depressing of a character as he was at certain points in the original story.
* Second to last thing, I promise. This story has established lore, stuff like Ben and Gwen did go on a road trip when they were ten years old in this story, just no Omnitrix. Some events are set in stone and will be revealed as the story is told. I just wanted to cut the shit and get right to the story, so this first chapter is entirely different (for the most part) than the original. Also, Ben and Gwen did go on a road trip when they were ten years old in this story, just no Omnitrix.
* Lastly, yes, Ben and Gwen WILL end up getting together in this story. But keep in mind that in this story, it will take longer. However, I think the way it happens will prove to be better and more rewarding than in the original story. So, just be patient, they will end up together. I really think you guys may like what I have in store for you with this story. So, that's it. I hope you guys enjoy the story!
Ben
Saturday, December 23rd, 2017
Barnes and Noble Booksellers
Christmas Time, I thought. My favorite time of year.
School had just let out for Christmas Break yesterday. My family and I wouldn't be having our Christmas festivities until tomorrow. However, I had one last errand that I needed to take care of before tomorrow. I needed to get a last minute gift for someone who was very special to me. Their favorite author was doing a book signing for all of her books today.
And so, here I was in my local Barnes and Noble Bookstore, having just grabbed a book off of the shelf and got into the long line, waiting to get the copy that I picked out signed. The book signing itself cost an extra fifty dollars, along with the book of your choice (assuming that you didn't already own a copy, which I didn't).
That price tag almost cost me an entire month's allowance. Yes, I (a senior in high school), was still getting an allowance every month. And no, I didn't have my own job yet. However, I'll get to that at a later time. As I stood in line, I couldn't help but get lost in my own thoughts.
I just hope that they'll forgive me, I thought.
I shut my eyes as I began to remember an incident from several years ago.
"That was my favorite book, Ben!" they exclaimed, their clothes being equally as wet as the book in question. "You're such a brat, you know that?!"
I felt myself shuddered as I heard their words once again. It was an unpleasant memory to be sure and it was the exact reason why I was here today.
"Sir?" the woman in question, who was in front of me, brought me out of my thoughts.
I was next in line! I didn't think that I had been stuck in my thoughts for that long! I stepped up to the table as I cleared my throat, now back in the present.
"I am so sorry!" I found myself spilling out a lazy apology. "I was kind of in my own little world for a bit."
She chuckled.
"I noticed. And don't worry about. Do you have a book that you'd like me to sign?"
I nodded and placed the book in question in front of her.
"Ooo, a number one." She spoke as she began to sign the copy. "Have you been a reader of my work for long?"
I let out a nervous laugh as I began to scratch the back of my neck, in an equally nervous manner.
"Um yeah, about that, I actually haven't read any of your books. Someone really special to me really loves your books, this book in particular is their favorite and I kinda ruined their copy of this book years ago. I was kind of an unruly child when I was younger and it hasn't been until recently that I've realized how awful I'd been. So, I thought that this would make a great Christmas present, as well as an apology."
I expected her take offense to what I just said and regard me differently, however I would be pleasantly surprised. Because she instead smiled as she finished signing the copy of the book.
"Well, isn't that sweet of you." she replied, smile still on her face as she handed me the book back. "I hope that they like it. You have a good day and Merry Christmas, young man."
I smiled back as I took it.
"Thank you. And you too, Ms. Haddix."
I turned and departed from the ever-growing line of people to make my way over to the register to pay for the book, along with the autograph. Once that was done, I started making my way toward the exit. As I walked out of the exit, I began to get this awful nagging feeling in the back of my head. I briefly turned to see a very large figure wearing a long, khaki-colored trench coat and a cowboy hat, matching in color. I immediately recognized that figure, or at least, I thought I did.
Wait, is that... No way!
Having a hunch, I then left the shop even faster than I was already moving and ran toward a nearby alley. I entered the alley and continuing running until I reached a dumpster situated around the middle of the space. I took the book that I had Ms. Haddix sign for me and put it in the backpack I had been carrying on my back.
Man, I hope no one takes this, I thought as I dropped said backpack next to the dumpster.
I then pulled up the sleeve of my winter coat on my right arm, revealing a high-tech looking black and white watch on my wrist.
This was the reason why I didn't have a job. This is the reason why my life was so much different from that of a "normal" teenager.
I dialed up the watch, turned the ring and then stopped once I saw a funny looking silhouette. I then transformed into what could only be described as an alien. It was a tall creature, with a main body divided into black and white colors, with it's arms and head being a crystalline green color, prompting me to call this creature "Diamondhead".
I then ran back to the bookstore where I had seen the figure who had clearly been trying to disguise themselves. Once I got back into the store, I saw that the figure had shed their cowboy hat and trench coat, revealing a muscular figure wearing a black jumpsuit, with pale violet stripes on his sleeves (and one on his waist), along with skin the color of concrete. He had a big bag with him, which he gestured to the crowd with.
"Awright, here's the deal! This is a robbery!" he exclaimed. "Each and every one of you is gonna put everything of value that you have into this bag. No one tries anything funny and no one get's hurt! We understand each other?"
I knew it, I thought. It's him.
Most of the customers inside the store started to notice me and now turned their attention on me instead of the giant in the room.
Why is he robbing a bookstore of all places? Usually he would go for a bank or a gas station at the very least!
When no one replied (probably because they were too busy looking at me), that irritated the figure.
"Hey, did any of you hear me?!"
Ugh, I should probably just take care of him now, just to save him the embarrassment of this situation.
"Hey!" I exclaimed to him.
He froze completely after I called out to him. He didn't move an inch for a few seconds, until he finally turned his head to look at me, following with turning fully toward me.
"You!" he angrily exclaimed. "Why is it always you?!"
Despite this guy's clear anger toward me, I responded with enthusiasm.
"Thumbskull! This is the third time we've done this song and dance routine! How many times am I going to have to toss you around, man?"
This appeared to make him angry.
"This time I'll be the one who tosses you around!"
I chuckled to myself, remembering our last two encounters.
"If you say so, Thumbskull." I replied as I cracked my knuckles. "Now, let's get this over with. I have places to be."
In response, he yelled with fury and proceeded to charge toward me.
A Few Minutes Later
I dragged Thumbskull out of the bookstore by his neck and proceeded to slam him down head first into a nearby fire hydrant. Don't worry, he could take it. Thumbskull let out a grunt of pain, but other than that, he didn't try to move, as he was drenched in ice cold water.
"You getting a clearer picture yet?" I asked him. "No matter how many times we do this, it will always end the same way."
He grunted once more, this time with anger.
"Just you watch, bud. One day I'll be part of a group that'll finally be able to take you down!"
I snorted in response.
"That coming from 'Mr. This time I'll be the one who tosses you around'? That'll be the day, Thumbskull!"
"Don't you laugh at me!"
"Sorry, can't help it if it's too tempting. Anyway, don't you worry too much. I'm sure the police will take care of you and get you to a place where you'll forget about me soon enough."
"You asshole."
"Well, this has been nice and all Thumbskull, but I should get going. See you 'round, pal!"
I then turned and started running back to the alley where I had left my backpack. And just in time too, as I reverted back to my human force as I ducked back into the alley. I let out a sigh of relief, now that that ordeal was over. I walked over to the dumpster where I had left my backpack.
Please still be here, please still be here, I thought with anxiety. Please still be here.
I came to a stop and when I saw it, my heart skipped a beat. My backpack was right where I had left it.
Oh, thank God! That book is too valuable to lose!
I picked up the bag and put it back over my shoulder. If I had the money to buy another copy in the event that this one had been lost, then I would. But I'm not sure if I could face the embarrassment of having to get another copy signed. You would think that because this gift is for a special person, that I would have the guts to do all that. Well, luckily for me, I'd never have to find out. I sighed once more as I began making my way out of the alley, to the other end of the street.
So, I think I should provide some context. Right about now, you're probably thinking: What the hell is going on here? Let me back up a little bit. You may have noticed that I'm not your typical American teenager, far from it, actually. So, that black and white watch on my wrist is actually alien in nature. Or at least I think it is. It's capable of using a special energy to transform me into ten different alien forms.
The alien that I referenced as "Diamondhead" earlier was the only one that I used on a regular basis because I didn't really have a need for the other nine. Finding this thing was practically a dream come true for me because I'd fantasized for years about being a real life super hero. I encountered the alien watch one night while I was out in the woods near my neighborhood, taking a walk, where it was in the crater of a meteor crash site.
It's been roughly six months since that day passed and it's been mostly an uneventful super hero career, if you could even call it that. I've stopped some muggings, thwarted a few robberies and the like, nothing too interesting. And that big guy, whom I called "Thumbskull" is the one guy that I've encountered more than once. Today was the third time we've met. He's pretty much the only "real super villain" that I've fought, if you can even call him that.
Thumbskull used to be a circus strongman back in the day, however, was eventually kicked out of his group for unknown reasons. Instead of trying to find another job like any other person would do, he turned to robbery and burglaries to make ends meet. At that point he was actually pretty smart; he knew what the ideal places were to target and how to get in and out without causing himself too much trouble, a stark contrast to how he was now.
One night, he broke into a chemicals factory, which might be the dumbest thing he's ever done, depending on who you ask. To make a long story short, he triggered the silent alarm and the police had arrived before he was able to make his exit. And while making haste in an attempt to escape, he tripped himself up and fell off of a catwalk into a vat of experimental chemicals. His chemical bath gave him an enhanced strength, endurance and durability.
Sounds like a curtain Marvel Comics villain, doesn't it? However, unlike the aforementioned villain, Thumbskull's chemical bath made him dumber, explaining all of the poor decisions that he makes nowadays. So, that's pretty much the gist of my life at this point. Whenever I'm not in school, spending time with my family or playing video games and geeking out about comic book stuff with my friends, I'm out and about being a real super hero.
A super hero without a costume, that is. But hey, I'm a high schooler in their senior year. Did you actually think that I could afford materials to make my own costume? I didn't even really have the need for one, anyway. In my time using the alien watch, I usually had enough time to fully take care of a situation before transforming back into my human form, even if I ended up cutting it a bit close a few times.
Sometime Later
The Tennyson House
I pulled up to the curb just off of our driveway, where I usually parked my car, since Mom and Dad always parked their cars in the driveway. I got out of my car and shut the door, shivering a bit as I looked at the couple inches of snow that currently covered the driveway. Thankfully, Mom and Dad had parked their cars in the garage before the snowstorm could start.
Not so thankfully, it would probably be up to me to help Dad shovel said driveway. I locked the car as I made my way through the snow up to the front door, stomping my feet on the welcome mat once I reached the door and walked in.
"Mom, Dad!" I called as I shut the door behind me. "I'm home!"
I took my shoes off and put them by a towel laid out by the door. Dad poked his head out from the hallway.
"Oh, good." He greeted me. "You can go put your stuff away and help me shovel the driveway."
I sighed.
Called it, I thought.
Dad gave me a disapproving look.
"Don't sigh like that, young man. It has to be done and I'm not going to do it by myself while you sit in here and play video games for the rest of the afternoon."
"Alright, I'll go put my stuff away and get ready."
I walked past him and toward my room, pushing the slightly closed door open once I reached it. I walked in and took off my backpack, putting it down on the bed to unzip it. I pulled out the book that I had Ms. Haddix sign earlier today and looked at it for a few seconds. I sat it down on the bed, deciding that I'd just have to wrap it later.
One Hour Later
I used my shovel to pick up a small pile of snow as I continued to help Dad shovel the driveway. I tossed the pile of snow to the side and continued to shovel the snow.
"So, are you looking forward to seeing Gwen tomorrow?" Dad suddenly asked.
I'll be honest, that question kind of threw me off guard and I had to momentarily stop what I was doing. I eventually continued to shovel up snow as I looked up at him.
"No, not really." I replied.
He raised his eyebrows as he looked back at me with confusion.
"How come?"
I stopped shoveling to focus on him and what I had to say.
"We fought so constantly when we were kids that we actually stopped seeing each other. I haven't seen her in six years and after our history, I doubt that she'd want to see me, either."
"How can you know that? I actually heard from her parents that she's really excited to see you again!"
Excited? To see me?
I snorted.
"Bullshit."
"What was that that just came out of your mouth just now?" he spoke in a very stern tone.
I looked at him as I felt guilty about what I said.
"Sorry."
He cleared his throat and changed the subject back to what we were talking about.
"You need to stop assuming things, son."
"Why would she want to see me?"
He let out a sigh.
"You and Gwen fought a lot when you were kids, Ben. You two are not kids anymore. It's possible for a person to change."
"Whatever. I guess I'll have to believe it when I see it."
I turned away from Dad and continued to shovel the snow.
"Hey." He spoke a couple of seconds later, in a stern tone.
I once again stopped shoveling and looked back at him.
"You don't get to talk to me like that."
He continued giving me that look for a few seconds, before he lightened up a little.
"Come on, let's finish getting this driveway shoveled and go inside for some hot cocoa. It's cold our here."
"Really fucking cold." I whispered under my breath.
Unfortunately, he heard that.
"What did I just tell you about language?"
I let out another sigh.
"Really freaking cold."
"That's what I thought you said."
Author's Note:
* And that's it! First chapter, everyone! I really hope you guys like the start to this story. How did you guys like the opening? Any thoughts on Ben having the Omnitrix for six months prior to this, as well as Thumbskull being Ben's first recurring "super villain"? Please, let me know your thoughts on anything in a review or even a PM will do fine.
* Seeing as I have a job and two other stories to juggle along with this one, posts may be inconsistent. Chapters may come out weeks or even a month in between. I don't like the idea of that, but I can't help that anymore. Anyway, that's all I got. Again, I hope that you really enjoyed and thank you for reading! That's going to do it for me, so have a fantastic day and bye.
Next Chapter: After six years of being apart, Ben and Gwen are reunited.