Episode 6: Bellwood 2054
After their latest run in with Chronos, the team found themselves stranded in a post-apocalyptic world and decided to look around. "Gideon, camouflage the ship. This doesn't look like the type of place we want to linger out in the open." Rip ordered. Ben soon recognized some of the landmarks. Wait a second, this is Bellwood. I thought you said the timeline was safe." "Yes, the world is fine in 2024. This is 2054." Rip answered. Suddenly an alien with white skin and black marks on his face wearing blue armor and a cloak showed up holding a blaster. "Don't move." he said. "Rook?" Ben said in confusion. "Rook it's me." The creature soon began to realize who he was talking to. "Ben? Ben Tennyson?" "Yes. Look I know it's been a while and I'm not sure if Gwen told you but a guy named Rip Hunter recruited me to become a legend." The alien took of the hood to reveal a face that looked very different than the one Ben knew. "I know who you are, but I don't know anything about a mission for legends."
The mysterious alien fighter started firing at them. "Get back." Rip ordered. "Ben, I know this guy's a friend of yours but I'm gonna kick his butt." Randy said as he put on his mask. "Ninja Rings." Rip pulled out his gun and started firing. Star then started blasting at him. "Glowworm Blast." The alien jumped out of the way and continued to fire. Danny got hit. "Ow. Ben what is going on?" "I don't know." Ben answered. "It looks like Rook but it's not him." "Well either way I suggest we get out of here." Dipper suggested. Rip nodded his head in agreement. "Everyone back to the ship." he ordered. The team fled the fight and returned to the Waverider safe and sound.
"All right, Rip tell us the truth. What's going on?" Kim asked. Rip sighed. "You've all seen how the timeline is malleable…in flux until it is set. Well, this future is not set." the former Time Master explained. "Remember when I told you it was dangerous for any of you to know too much about your own futures? Well, the events that you dread could very well come to be due to your actions to prevent them." "You know what I think?" Star asked. "I think you think too much." "Believe me when I tell you that the best thing for yourselves and for this mission is to make the repairs to the Waverider here in 2054 then head back to your own time and make sure that none of this ever comes to be." Rip said.
Jenny took a look at the engine and identified the problem. "Looks like the whole propulsion system's damaged." "How long will it take you to make repairs?" Rip asked. "Not sure, but it would go a lot faster if I had some help." Jenny answered. "Enlist whoever is free to help, I have this to contend with." Rip said as he held what appeared to be a hard drive. "What's that?" Ben asked. "This is the Neuromorphic Interface for Gideon's logic and navigation matrix. Without it, Gideon cannot function." Rip explained. "Well that explains how we got stranded in the future." Jenny added. Just then Ben got an idea. "You know, the Plumbers were working on a self-learning, Neuroformic, Neurisonic, whatever it's called back in 2024. I'm sure they must've figured it out by now." "We are going to need it if we're ever going to get out of here." Rip said. "Great." Ben said happy that Rip was going along with his plan. "Don't worry, I know exactly where one of the old safehouses is and I can get us in there no problem." Rip turned him down. "I'm sorry Mr. Tennyson, we must keep you separate from your future home."
Rip then showed Kim, Star, and Steven what they were looking for. "Well this should be fun." Kim said while packing. "So where exactly are we supposed to find this?" Star asked. "According to Mr. Tennyson, there's an old Plumbers safehouse somewhere in this town so that's where we start." Rip answered. "If it means we can get out of this place then let's go." Steven said. Suddenly Ben walked in. "Alright let's go." "What are you doing?" Rip asked. "I'm going with you." Ben answered. "No, no you are not." Rip said with anger. "You're too emotionally connected to the city. We've been over this." Ben wasn't interested in what Rip had to say. "And I'm over you. You got us on a mission to change history for yourself and you won't even let us look at our futures? Now, I know this city better than anyone else, and you're gonna need my help. So, either I'm coming with you or we see if you're a match for me as 'Four Arms'". Rip gave in and the team began their quest.
Meanwhile the rest of the team were discussing what to do next. "So Rip and the others are on a field trip to some secret hideout and were stuck here waiting." Danny said. "Well while we wait, I could use some help with the ship." Jenny said. "Dipper and Mabel take this." She handed them some blueprints. "You guys work on fixing Gideon. Randy and Danny, you guys help me repair the engine." "Right." they all agreed.
Rip's team was carefully making their way around 2054 Bellwood. "Do not be alarmed everyone remember this is only a potential future." Rip said trying to ease the tension. "So would it be bad if we fought anyone here?" Star asked. "Well, to avoid the risk of a paradox, it's probably best to refrain from interacting with anyone." Rip advised. Ben took note of his surroundings. "That's my school. What the hell happened here?" "Didn't you say your grandpa was the best plumber there was?" Kim asked. "Yeah. Why?" "Well what if whatever did this was too much for him to handle." Steven added. Ben shook his head. "My grandpa and friends would never have lost so easily."
Back on the ship repairs were going well. "There all fixed." Jenny said accomplished. "I have to admit your good at this Jenny." Danny complimented. Jenny smiled at the comment. "Well that's probably because of Rips upgrades. But part of me feels that being the creation of a brilliant scientist might be a part of why I'm good at this." "Well either way were sure to get this ship flying again in no time." Randy said. "Dipper Mabel how's it going on your end?" Jenny asked. "Gideon is almost done all we need is that matrix and were good to go." Dipper said. "I just hope the others found it." Mabel added.
"The safehouse is just 2 blocks away." Ben said. Suddenly there was an explosion and a bunch of alien criminals showed up and started shooting everything in sight. Rip noticed an abandoned school bus nearby. "Take cover in there!" Just as they got inside, they noticed the young Revonnahgander warrior from earlier appeared and started fighting back. "It's like WWIII out there." Kim commented. "I think we need to find a new route." Rip said. Ben then saw that the young hero got shot. Realizing he needed to help Ben transformed into "Fasttrack" and rushed in to save the injured alien. "Mr. Tennyson don't." Rip shouted but the transforming hero didn't listen. "Dammit. Kim, you come with me and help me save Ben. Star and Steven stay here and stay hidden." Rip ordered.
While Kim and Rip chased after Ben Steven looked to Star. "You're not gonna stay hidden, are you?" Steven asked. Star smiled. "Nope." Star then burst through the roof of the bus in her butterfly form. "Mystic Room Suck Transform!" she shouted. A wormhole then formed in the ground and started sucking all the bad guys nearby into it. Steven then stepped out. "Ok that was cool but maybe we should go back to hiding." Star returned to her normal form. "Relax Steven these guys are no match for us. Besides what's wrong with having a little fun." Just the she was shot with a special collar that latched itself around her neck. A similar thing happened to Steven. A big orange alien with 3 eyes and a scar on his chest wearing brown pants holding a blaster appeared. "Excellent. I could use some new servants in my bar." Steven turned to Star. "You were saying?" he asked annoyed.
Ben was able to get the Revonnahgander to safety in an abandoned ally but he just backed up and pointed his blaster at the alien watch wielder. "Get away from me." he ordered. Ben turned back to normal. "I'm not gonna hurt you in fact I just risked my life trying to save you." "Do I look like I need your help." "I saw you get shot in the chest." "I've had worse." Ben just approached him calmly. "Look I don't want to tell you how to do your job but why are you fighting these guys alone?" The mystery hero stood his ground angrily. "Because I have no choice all the other plumbers are dead."
Ben couldn't believe what he was hearing. "How is that possible?" "Because of you. Your Ben Tennyson your supposed to be the Earth and Universe's greatest hero and you weren't around when we needed you most." he explained. "When you left, we managed to do fine on our own at first. Buy everything soon went to hell when 'the uprising' began." "'Uprising' what are you talking about?" Ben asked confused. "Is just what people called it when…well, when all this happened." The hero looked to the ground sad. "15 years ago, 'he' showed up, brought an army with him." "Who brought an army?" Ben asked. "I did." Ben turned around and noticed a creature with green skin red eyes huge muscles and tentacles on his chin wearing red and black high-tech battle armor with a face mask and a sword strapped to his back. "No it can't be. Your dead." Ben said with a mix of anger and fear.
Ben got into a defensive position. "How did you survive?" But the tentacled creature just stood silent. "Answer the question." Just the Rip and Kim showed up. "Hey Ben who is this guy?" Kim asked. "An alien warlord." Ben answered. "Then now is not the right time for me to say it…but please, remind me later to tell you that I told you so." Rip said. Ben brushed off Rip's comment and continued to get answers. "How are you still alive Vilgax?" The alien just laughed. "Vilgax? Now that's a name I haven't heard in a long time." He then removed his mask to reveal a younger looking face. "How did you know my father? "Ben and the others could not believe what they were hearing. "F-f-f-f-f-fff-father?" "That's right I am Draven. And from what I heard the girl say and seeing the device on your arm I assume that makes you the famous Ben Tennyson. That means you knew my father quite well, didn't you?" Ben regained his composure. "Yeah, I knew him, he was a monster. And from what I've seen so far, it seems to run in the family." Draven laughed. "Oh I'm going to enjoy killing you…or should I say we will." He snapped his fingers and a bunch of his minions showed up. Ben and Kim got ready to fight but the Rook lookalike stooped them. "Bad idea. We need to escape." He then pushed a button which activated special rocket boots and he flew away. Ben the transformed into "Stinkfly" and grabbed Rip while Kim pulled out her grappling hook and started running on rooftops.
Steven and Star had been taken to an alien bar where they were forced to serve drinks. "Get a move on you two we have lots of thirsty patrons to serve." their "employer" said. Star was not happy to take orders like this. "Listen pal I'm not some slave you can just order around. Let us go or else." Before Star could make a move, the owner pushed a button which caused the collars, they were wearing to generate an electric shock. "AAAAaaaaaarrrrrrrrggggggghhhhhh!" "Next time it'll be worse. Now get to work." Suffice it to say that Steven was angry at Star for getting them into this mess. "You just had to burst through the bus didn't you, you had to call attention to us." "Look how many times do I have to say I'm sorry?" Star asked. "Once would be nice." Steven answered. "Oh. Sorry." "Too late."
Meanwhile Ben and the others were discussing what just happened. "Ok so just to be sure I understand Vilgax had a son?" The Revonnahgander nodded. "Yes, and he's far more powerful than his father. Max Tennyson led a team that tried to take Draven down but his forces were too much for us to handle. Everyone died." "I'm sorry to hear that." Kim said with sympathy. Rip pulled Ben away. "Ben, I know what you must be thinking, but none of what has transpired here is your fault, nor do you have the means to change it, but Vandal Savage's future is preventable. I implore you, please stay focused on our mission." Rip then gave a signal to Kim that it was time to leave. He then turned to the Rook doppelganger. "We're very grateful for your assistance, but we really must be moving along to the Plumbers storage area." The you rook looked confused. "What for? That place has been cleared out for years, but a lot of their projects have been relocated to a secret location." Ben was eager to hear more. "Where?"
After following the alien the team arrived at a very familiar location to Ben. His house. "The tech wound up here?" the transforming hero asked. "Your home appears to have seen better days Mr. Tennyson." Rip commented. "Well when the invasion started the first thing Draven did was attack your Home." Rook's young lookalike explained to Ben. "But you weren't here. Unfortunately your parents were." Hearing this caused Ben to feel a mixture of anger and sadness. "Let's just find what we're looking for and get out of here before more aliens show up." Kim added. While searching a mystery figure appeared in the shadows and shot a beam of pink energy at our heroes. "Whoever you are, get out. Now!" The voice belonged to a female. When she emerged, she was shown to have orange hair that had grey streaks and was wearing a blue suit with a cape. What really caught everyone's attention was that her right arm was replaced with pink energy. While Rip and Kim had no idea who this was Ben and their Revonnahgander ally recognized her. "Gwen?"
"That's your cousin?" Kim asked. "Ben? Is that you? Is that really you?" Gwen asked. "Gwen your alive. But everyone said you died." Ben said. "No. but with everything that's happened I kind of wish I was." She then turned to the alien in the room. "Would you put down that blaster RJ there's no need for it here." Rip looked confused. "RJ?" Gwen nodded. "Rook Jr." RJ then looked down in shame. "That's right. Rook Blonko was my father. And I couldn't save him. But I try to honor what he stood for and fight for this world." "All alone?" Gwen commented. "Well I've had no choice. Because last I checked I thought you died with everyone else." RJ explained angrily. "I've been busting my ass trying to take Draven down by myself because I thought I was the only one left." Ben cut in to find out more. "Gwen what happened to you? To Grampa, Kevin, Kai?" "They're gone Ben. All of them, they're all gone." Tears started to form in Ben's eyes hearing this. "That can't be they never would've gone down so easily." "Well what do you want me to say, Ben? 30 years ago, you left on a mission to become a legend, and you never came back. I don't want to say that…things would've ended differently if you had been here, but…" "But if I had been here, I could've made the difference." Ben said realizing his mistake. "You thought I was dead. What are you doing here?" Gwen asked. "We were looking for a Neuromorphic Prototype that the plumbers were working on." Rip explained. "Well we couldn't risk Draven getting his hands on the most important tech so we transferred it an old underground warehouse beneath Adams and O'Neil." Gwen explained. "The entry code is 4-5-8-7." Kim finished typing the information into her kimmunicator. "Thanks Gwen we really…" "Great so now you can leave again." The team began to make its way out but Ben just felt guilty for everything that happened in his absence.
On the Waverider the rest of the team was starting to get worried about their companions. "Ok it's been 2 hours maybe we should go look for them." Danny suggested. "We can't." Dipper said. "Rip said we have to stay with the ship at all costs." "Yeah, that's when we thought they would be back in 30 minutes." Jenny added. "Jenny's right." Randy said. "I say we go out there and start looking for them." "I'll grab my grappling hook." Mabel said. "Guys come on, they're some of the strongest bravest heroes of all time." Dipper said with confidence. "How much trouble could they be in?"
Back at the bar Steven and Star continued to serve refreshments to a bunch of rowdy aliens. Suddenly Draven and his army showed up. "Alright listen up." the Vilgaxian said in anger. "This party is over. I want everyone to hit the streets and start searching the area and leave no stone unturned until Rook Blonko Jr. is found." The owner of the bar approached him. "Listen bub, this is my territory and these guys only take orders from me. Got it?" Draven just smiled. "Hmm, it might be your territory, but it's on my planet." He then pulled out his sword and cut off the barkeeps head. "Any other objections?" he asked. None of the aliens dared to say anything. "Good. Now then, Blonko is traveling with a girl with orange hair, a brit in a long coat, and the legendary Ben Tennyson. Find them and make them suffer." The aliens then began their search. Star then turned to Steven. "Steven now's our chance, break the collars." Steven nodded and used his strength to break the collars around their necks. "Alright now let's go find Ben and the others." the Half-Gem hybrid said with determination.
Ben and the others arrived at the warehouse. "Thanks again for helping us RJ." Kim said. RJ just looked to the ground. "Well it's not like I had anything better to do." Ben then pulled Rip to the side for a conversation. "Did you know?" "Know what?" Rip asked. "That this would happen." Ben answered. "Gwen said that the only reason that things got so bad was because I wasn't there to help." Rip sighed. "I suspected that might be the case, but that's actually a good thing. Hm? Now, once our mission is complete and you are returned to 2024, you will be present to stop Dravon's uprising. This future is only a potential timeline." Ben was starting to feel better. "So this…this version of Earth doesn't have to happen?" Rip nodded. "Correct. The future is always in flux. Hopefully, this will never come to pass." Kim then turned to them. "I hate to break this up but we need to find that matrix. Let's split up, we can cover more ground that way." After a few minutes of searching Rip finally found the hard drive. "Hello, beautiful."
Just then Draven's goons burst through the wall and started shooting everything in sight. Ben quickly transformed into "Loadstar" and sent out a wave that took out all of the guns in the room. It made the battle somewhat easier as Kim rushed in and punched one of the assailants. However our heroes soon found that they were no match for an army this big. "There's too many of them." RJ shouted as he punched a few more goons. But this proved to be in vain as he was overpowered and beaten to the ground. Just then Star and Steven showed up and lended a hand with Steven throwing a giant shield at one group and Star firing a really big blast of Magic an another. "Mr. Universe, Ms. Butterfly your timing is exemplary." Rip said as he shot the last of the soldiers. As the dust settled Ben changed back and looked around and noticed one member was missing. "Where's RJ?" "He's been taken." Rip answered.
Kim was the one to break the silence as she was the only one to notice the obvious. "These are Draven's soldiers." "Yeah, the guy with the squid face." Star added. "He really wanted your friend dead." Steven said. Rip could see where this was going and tried to dismay the idea. "Ben, I know what you're going to say…" "We have to get him back." Ben said. "Yes, that. You're forgetting this future is only a potential timeline." "Yeah, where Draven kills my partner's son." "Draven's not going to murder RJ, because once you're returned to 2024, there won't be a Draven or a RJ, at least not as we know them both right now."
Ben and the others returned to the Waverider where they were happily greeted by the rest of their comrades. "Hey guys how was the future." Mabel asked. "Pretty terrible." Steven answered. "We managed to get the Neuromorphic Prototype any luck with the engines?" Rip asked. "All set." Jenny answered. "Just install the prototype and we'll be ready to leave." Danny and Randy soon took notice of Ben's sorrow and decided to find out what happened. "Everything ok?" Danny asked. "Well, all my friends and family are dead, except for my cousin Gwen, who happens to be dead inside and missing an arm. So you tell me." "So it's that bad huh." Randy asked. "Yes. But I'm gonna fix it." Rip was tired of hearing this and decided to put a stop to this once and for all. "Ben for the last time…" "This is just a potential future and that it's all gonna go back when we return to 2024." Ben repeated. "But what if we don't. What if something goes wrong and Savage kills us all. This might be the only chance I get to fix everything."
"If Ben wants to stay here and help then maybe we should stay too." Dipper suggested. "I agree." Kim said. "I mean isn't that why we signed up for this: to be heroes?" Soon the others started agree as well. "Yes, of course you all agree with Ben, because none of you understand the pitfalls of changing the timeline." Rip argued. "Meddling with the future is arguably more dangerous than changing the past, because it is still in flux." "Your wife and son's death are in the future and you want us to change that." Ben countered. Rip was at his limit. "Don't play that card with me." "So you're willing to risk history for your own family but won't let us risk it for any of ours? Talk about selfish." "I am not just trying to save my family and I'm not just trying to save one city, but the entire world!" Rip argued. "I'm not the one being selfish, Ben." Ben was done with the captain's attitude. "You know what go to hell. I'm going to save RJ. Stay here and only focus on Savage see if I care." "Fine you want to stay here and rescue RJ then be my guest. I'll keep the ship here for one more hour and then were leaving. With or without you.' Rip warned. But Ben didn't care. He was going to save this world with or without his help.
Despite the powers at his disposal Ben knew he couldn't fight Draven's army alone so he decided to talk to the only ally he had left. "Gwen. Gwen!" Gwen then appeared. "I thought you would've left by now." "Draven took RJ and he's gonna kill him." Ben explained. "And what do you expect me to do?" Gwen asked. "I can help anyone anymore." "Gwen, he has too many soldiers. I can't do this alone." "What about your new team?" she asked. Ben shook his head. "I'm on my own, unless I'm not. Now listen I know I abandoned you guys and yes, I should've been here. But I'm here now trying to make things right. And I'm going to start by saving RJ. So please will you help me for old times' sake?"
Back on the ship Rip was getting ready for departure. "Is everyone ready?" "No." Star answered. "Ben isn't back yet." Rip didn't care. "I gave him an hour and it's been 90 minutes. How much longer are we supposed to wait?" "As long as we have to." Steven answered. "Or we could go out there and help him." Danny suggested. "Absolutely not, if we interfere in a future that may never happen it could lead to disaster for the timeline." Kim then stepped in. "You really don't get it do you? It doesn't matter that this is a potential future. It doesn't matter that this may never come to pass…may never be real. It is real to Ben." "Yes, which is why I game him an extra 30 minutes. Gideon what's are status?" the captain asked. "The Waverider is operational, Captain, but I can't guarantee for how long." The AI informed him. "Explain." "We are cloaked, but positioned dangerously close to where the city's criminal element is gathering to witness the execution of Rook Blonko Jr. The longer we wait, the greater the risk of detection and further damage to the ship." "Do you really want to risk being marooned in this version of 2054 forever?" Rip asked his crew. "More than we'd want to leave Ben behind here." Mabel said. "Mabel's right. I mean what's the point of stopping Savage if we become just as cruel as he is?" Danny added.
Draven's men brought RJ onto a stage do that everyone could witness his death. Draven smiled as he watched his enemy struggled. "You should be honored to die here. I killed Max Tennyson in this very spot." "Well, then let me go, and we'll see which one of us is tougher: me or Max?" Rook growled. Draven just laughed. "I already know the answer to that. Ready the prisoner." he ordered. They got RJ to his knees as Draven prepared to deliver the final blow. But before he could some of his guards appeared with Ben as their prisoner. "We saw him try to sneak past the perimeter sir." Draven was very amused by this. "Sloppy. Very sloppy indeed Tennyson. Did you really think you could just sneak in here and try to rescue your friend?" Ben smiled. "Actually I was just trying to distract you." Suddenly beams of mana shot the goons that were holding RJ and Ben hostage. One also hit Draven's hand causing him to lose his sword. Gwen made her presence known as she jumped off a roof and started fighting. "Tie to go hero." Ben said as he turned into "Rath" and started fighting goons.
Draven was not happy and RJ got into a battle stance to face him. "You're no plumber, you're just some punk trying live out a childish fantasy." the Vilgaxian said. RJ laughed. "Funny I was about to say the same thing to you." He then threw a few good punches as Draven countered with some dangerous moves of his own which caused the Revonnahgander to fall of the stage. Ben took notice and decided to join the action. "Hey Vilgax Jr. why don't you pick on someone your own size." he shouted. "With pleasure. Gwen continued to take down the soldiers but she was starting to get then the team showed up and started fighting back. Seeing this made Ben happy as he threw Draven into a wall. "Guys I'm happy you showed up but I'm angry that it took you so long to get here. How did you convince Rip to stay?" "Actually, sending in the calvary was his idea." Kim answered. Ben then noticed Rip was helping. "Huh, well I'll be." Draven got up tackled Ben to the ground. He soon noticed that some of his men were retreating. "Cowards." RJ saw that Ben was struggling and picked up a blaster. With careful aim he managed to shoot Draven in the back of the head which caused the Vilgaxian to scream in pain. This provided Ben with a chance to punch Draven in the face and pin him to the ground. Ben then repeatedly punched him in the face until he lost consciousness. Many soldiers fell many others fled but the battle was over.
Ben changed back and turned to the others with glee. One particular person he was looking at was his cousin. "Thanks Gwen." Gwen smiled "I was happy to help." "So are you gonna introduce us?" Randy asked. "Right. Guys this is my cousin Gwen. And this is RJ he's the son of my partner Rook." "And who's squid-face there?" Jenny asked. "His name's Draven." Ben answered. "Once upon a time his father Vilgax tried to steal the Omnitrix from me and take over the universe." "Huh, that is not a nice family." Steven said.
Gwen, RJ, and Ben went to the old warehouse to get it cleaned up. "We have a lot of work to do." RJ said. "Draven did a good job of building a world-wide empire. There will be a lot of bad guys to fill the void." "Either way we'll get through it together." Gwen said. "And who knows maybe we'll find some help." Ben was thinking hard about what to do next. "Are you ok Ben?" RJ asked. "I just think I should stay. You guys need all the help you can get." Gwen smiled. "Before your friends left, they told me why Rip Hunter brought all of you together. It's important Ben you have to go with them." "Are you sure? I mean I don't want to leave you guys alone." RJ then stepped in. "We're not alone. We've got each other." Ben smiled and brought the two of them into a group hug.
Back on the ship everyone was getting ready to leave (for real this time). Ben then approached Rip. "What 'cha doing?" "I'm just working on determining our next destination." the captain answered. "I've considered your suggestion of hell, but I think I'll give it a miss for the time being." Ben laughed. "Listen, I wanted to say thanks for sending team to back me up. And I'm sorry for what I said earlier." Rip sighed. "The apology isn't necessary. As it turns out you were right." Ben was surprised to hear that. "That must've been hard for you to say." "Of late I've discovered that I still have a lot to learn, I admit. Including the fact that every future is worth fighting for." "That said…this mission is going to continue to present us with difficult choices, and I need to know that you are a member of this team." Ben smiled. "I am. 100 percent.
The team then buckled up as the ship started to take off. "So where to next, Captain?" Dipper asked. "Well, the beauty of this mission is that the real question is not where, but when." Rip answered. "In which case, I suggest that we next hit Savage when he least expects it.