Ben X Chapter 28
Treasure Hunt Arc
Goal within sight
Ben stared up at the temple impassively. It loomed forebodingly tall above him, it's upper floors stories above him on the ground. He crossed his arms impatiently, glaring at the ancient structure as though it would acquiesce and simply reveal its secrets to him. He knew that the Demiurge Hammer was lying in wait somewhere within the ruins. Being who he was, he wanted to rush right into the temple to retrieve it. The rest of his friends however convinced him to wait while they scoped out the surroundings. And though he could see the logic in not rushing into a mysterious and unknown temple, it still didn't sit right with him. Any one of his enemies could be inside there right now, making their way towards this weapon of legend. So instead he stood outside with the rest, waiting for someone else to say when they could go inside. Ben looked around him at the rest of the plumbers.
Both Delta and Gamma squads were spread out to the outskirts of the jungle, setting up a perimeter and looking for signs of other intruders. Rook had spotted some broken branches and what appeared to be footsteps, but he couldn't say for sure where they led. Helen was running up and down along the beach, leaving a large trail of sand storms in her wake. But she reported no unusual activity. Both Gwen and Charmcaster were assessing the large stone temple for signs of magic or other mystical activity. Gwen's hands were held in front of herself, alight with mana and sensing for anything out of the ordinary. Beside her Charmcaster levitated with a book in front of her, casting some kind of ritual. Cooper too was helping out, holding his hands aloft searching for signals and responses from any kind of technology he could find. But he reported that he could not sense anything. But it was Kai who assessed the structure and had an intense frown on her face.
She walked the circumference of the structure as far as possible, wading into knee high ocean water without a care. She ran her hands along the stone surfaces of the building. She scrutinized the temple using her years of experience as an archeologist. But something just wasn't adding up. On the surface the ziggurat appeared genuine. It's stone was grey and whethered and laid in bricks of overlapping layers. Reliefs and symbols circled the structure depicting simplified humanoid forms. The glyph representing the hammer itself featured prominently in the masonry work. The overall structure resembled that of traditional mesoamerican pyramids with a large square base and subsequent levels leading upwards to a peak. But the longer Kai observed the ruins, the greater her mistrust grew.
"This doesn't make any sense…" She said aloud as she made her way back to Ben on the shoreline.
"What do you mean?" He asked. Kai pointed back to the structure, a deep frown present on her face.
"This whole temple it's just… wrong. With its position in the water there should be much more erosion of the base of the pyramid if it were thousands of years old. Plus the symbols and glyphs on the walls, they don't mean anything. They look like they're just decorative." Kai explained.
"Are they, not supposed to be decorative?" Ben asked unsure.
"No, in places like these if you have images and symbols written on the walls they're supposed to mean something, to tell a story or give a warning. But I can't make out any kind of narrative here. Plus this architecture is more reminiscent of ancient earth cultures than any alien cultures. Speaking of which it doesn't match up with any kind of alien cultures I know of. It all just feels wrong! Like someone looked up pictures of ancient ruins and just plopped it here." Kai said insistently. "I'm telling you Ben, something's not right about this, we shouldn't go in there. I think it may be some kind of trap." She said.
Ben looked between Kai's worried face and the temple once again. His eyes narrowed as he processed the information. He looked around to see some of his closer friends had overheard the conversation and looked between them expectantly. Ben crossed his arms again as he considered their options. Surprisingly, he took Kai's warning very seriously. He didn't know much about ancient ruins but he knew better than to doubt Kai on her expertise. If she felt that something was off about the temple then it likely was. But at the same time he knew they had a responsibility.
"Even if this place is a fake like you said, if there's even the slightest chance of the Demiurge being real and inside there, we have to take that chance." Ben finally spoke with conviction. Ben stepped towards the temple with hardly another word. The group exchanged nervous glances with each other before following in his stead.
Delta and Gamma squads remained outside the temple, guarding the perimeter. Alpha and Beta squad followed Ben to the temple. Rook came up beside Ben and together they pushed open the large heavy stone doors to the temple. The sound of scraping stone reverberated throughout the area as they opened the entrance. The group peered inside seeing only darkness. A musty odor wafted out from the interior of the temple, offending their noses. The group stepped inside and filled out the space of a large hallway. The darkness of the ruins loomed further ahead but with the dim light of day behind them they were able to make out the stone walls and floors laden with carvings and symbols. The group trudged ahead warily. A flash light emerged from Rook's shoulder lighting their way. Beside him Charmcaster made her way to the front, summoning a floating orb of magenta light. The group made their way forward carefully. But before they got too far they were surprised to hear the scraping of stone again behind them. They all turned around behind them to find the heavy doors closing. Kevin ran back to the entrance but he was too late, the doors slammed shut leaving them in mostly darkness. Kevin pounded and pulled on the doors but they were sealed close.
"Well that's great…" He complained as he rejoined the group.
"Really starting to agree with Kai's theory right now." Cooper spoke from the side. Ben silently gazed around at them taking in their faces. Kai looked back at him with an expression that was equal parts concern and 'I told you so'. He turned to look at Julie who had pre-emptively donned her armor. The rest of the group looked equally wary.
"It doesn't matter. We still need to move forwards. Carefully though." Ben said. The rest of the group nodded and began to explore further into the ruins. The group walked barely a few feet before Ben sensed something wrong. He peered around in the darkness as though he would be able to see the source of his unease clearly. No one around him seemed to have sense what he had though. But still, it felt familiar and unsettling. It was like there was an unatural chill to the air, floating around them. He felt it grow closer and closer still, until it seemed like it was rushing straight towards them. Suddenly his eyes went wide with realization.
"Everybody duck!" He shouted out grabbing Julie ahead of him and pulling her down. Behind him Lucy did the same with Cooper and Rook the same with Charmcaster. It was just in time as they all felt the unmistakable swoop of air above them as though something large and powerful had missed them by a hair's breadth. Ben looked up, standing from his crouched position and narrowed his eyes as his suspicions were confirmed.
"Zs'Skayr!" He shouted angrily. The group looked up to see Ghostfreak's specter like form floating in the air above them. His purple cloak and hood were pulled up over his upside down skull head. In his long clawed fingers he held a deadly looking scythe, presumably the one he had swung at them intending to decapitate them. A wicked and sinister grin laid on his grim face as his singluar violet eye gazed hungrily upon them.
"Ben Tennyson. I didn't think you'd make it this far." Ghostfreak whispered harshly.
"And I thought you would have known better to mess with me again. This will make what? The fifth time in a row I've beaten you?" Ben taunted back unfazed. But Ghostfreak only smiled wickedly, leaning down closer.
"Ah but this time I will have the ultimate weapon in my grasp. And I will assure your destruction." He whispered sadistically.
"As if we're going to let you get the Demiurge!" Ben shot back. Again, Ghostfreak chuckled wickedly.
"I'd like to see you try and stop me. Hahahaha…" He said before turning intangible and flying off down the hallway at incredible speed.
"Everyone after him!" Ben shouted. The group gave chase after the Ectonurite. Ben predictably ran headlong into the dark passageway, giving no care that he couldn't see in front of himself. But his years in the jungles and wastelands of Hazard had still honed his senses. Thankfully due to his experience he immediately noted when a stone plate shifted ever so subtly after he stepped on it. He paused just in time to avoid large spears jut out from the wall in the space where he would have stood. He grit his teeth and held a hand behind him.
"Be careful this place is booby trapped!" He yelled before transforming into Wildmutt. Using his advanced sense of smell and hearing he was able to navigate through the deadly hallway. He jumped around arrows and over pitfalls. He maneuvered around falling spikes and poisoned blades all while still chasing after Ghostfreak. But sensing behind him he could tell the others in his group were not faring as well. He tried his best to disable what obstacles he could while still trying to keep a metaphorical eye on Ghostfreak far in front of him. The ghost like alien was able to easily bypass the traps by flying through the air and turning intangible. Behind Ben the rest of the team were having significant trouble navigating through the dark. Finally Charmcaster had enough, she raised her hands in front of her and chanted out a spell.
"Lumex orbicula multi!" She called out. In front of them numerous glowing orbs began to appear, stretching down the length of the hallway. The brightly glowing spheres illuminated the dark space making it easier for the group to see through the booby traps. But unfortunately the numerous traps were still a danger that needed to be overcome.
Each member of the infiltration team had their own method for avoiding the deadly traps and obstacles. Kevin's stone skin made him impervious to the many sharp weapons that protruded from the walls and floors, allowing him to brute force his way through the majority of them. Rook viewed the hallway as simply another obstacle course and nimbly navigated around the traps. Charmcaster and Gwen rushed forward maintaining a glowing shield on either side of them that encompassed both Kai and Cooper behind them. The group of four managed to pass through the deadly obstacle course with most of the threats bouncing harmlessly off the magical shield. Julie relied on Ship and his sleek speed armor form to navigate the hallway. His computerized brain calculated and analyzed the patterns of the traps being sprung and showed her on her HUD, allowing her to dodge the deadly attacks. Lucy brought up the rear, her unique alien physiology made her immune to the weapons and traps that lined the passage. For many of the sharp traps she simply morphed around them, letting the pointed spears and traps pass harmlessly through her body.
Finally the group managed to pass through the hall of deadly traps mostly unscathed. They reached the end to find a set of stone stairs leading up to the second story. As they ascended up the steps they found themselves at the start of yet another corridor. This one was slightly less dark then the preceding path. Glowing runes were etched into the walls and pulsated slightly. Far ahead of them they could spot Zs'Skayr continuing to float down the long hall. Ben immediately gave chase once again. But he paused as his enhanced senses picked up a rumbling and scraping noise of stone. The group looked to the sides of the passages where they noted large stone statues depicting humanoid figures standing against the walls. The stone statues began to glow and come to life, stepping out to bar the group's way.
The statues strode forward, standing nearly eight feet tall with blank expressions and large cylindrical hats. Their bodies were solid rock but moved like organics. The stone sentinels gathered around the group of heroes, impeding their progress. Wildmutt jumped at the nearest stone warrior intent on knocking it out of the way. However the golem backhanded Ben and sent him flying into the stone walls. The group watched shocked as Ben was batted to the side as though he was harmless. Kevin was the first to react, charging forward to fight the new obstacles. The sound of stone slamming into stone was heard as Kevin fought against the golems.
The group flurried into activity, each of them attacking the nearest golem. Kai swung at the monsters with Excalibur, the magical blade sliced deep gouges into the stone warriors. But the hard rock was still resistant to the damage. The golems she attacked continued to advance towards her. Besides her Cooper modified his plumber suit to give himself oversized robotic fists. He began punching relentlessly at the enemies, the powerful jackhammering causing cracks to appear in their stone bodies. Next to him Lucy transformed her fists into large spiked maces and swung them at the stone golems, smashing them to bits. Both Rook and Julie attempted to slip past the guards but their passage was blocked by the imposing stone guardians. Charmcaster and Gwen both slung their individual spells at the creatures. Reaching into her bag Charmcaster brought out golems of her own. She tossed the charms into the air where they soon grew into full size rock familiars. The stone beings soon faced off against each other, their large fists slamming into one another.
Meanwhile, Ghostfreak flew further and further down the hallway. His intangibility allowed him to pass straight through the arms of the stone golems. Ben watched his enemy leave with consternation. Athletically he jumped over and passed around the wildly swinging arms of the rock guardians. He cleared the passage of the furthermost guardians. Turning back Wildmutt growled to grab the attention of his comrades. Behind him Rook, Kai, Julie, and Charmcaster rushed forwards past the stunned and downed warriors. As they proceeded down the passage Ben watched as the rest of the group continued to struggle with the stone guards. He took a step back intent on transforming and smashing the obstacles to bits. But Kevin called out to him before he could do anything.
"Go! We got this!" Kevin shouted as he tossed another warrior to the side. Beside him Gwen melted holes in the chest of the stone guardian with concentrated blasts of mana. Lucy and Cooper fought back to back behind them, each of them yelling and encouraging Ben to leave them behind. Apprehensive but trusting in his friends, Ben left the scene behind him. He raced forwards, his animal like form letting him quickly overtake his friends. The group charged up another flight of stairs. They stopped short upon seeing Ghostfreak hovering in the air, his scythe held in a defensive position. Beyond him the hallway was filled with numerous beams of yellow and pink laser light. They blinked on and off at different intervals and angles, creating a grid of lasers that proved difficult to pass even for one such as him. Upon seeing the obstacle that laid ahead Ben immediately transformed from Wildmutt to Chromastone.
"You're trapped now Ghostfreak!" Chromastone yelled as the group around him spread out as much as possible to pose a threat to the Ectonurite. But Ghostfreak narrowed his single eye at them.
"That's what you think! I will have the Demiurge!" He shouted in defiance. Suddenly he swung out at them with his scythe forcing the group to backstep to avoid the blade. Ghostfreak rushed forward into the grid of laser light, nimbly maneuvering between the beams of energy. Chromastone was the first to rush after him his crystalline body immune to the laser beams and absorbing the energy as he ran after his enemy. However he distantly noted that his friends were not so fortunate. Both Rook and Kai were agile enough to dodge through the intersecting beams of light with little effect. But both Charmcaster and Julie were slowed in their pursuit by having to navigate around the painful lasers.
Ben desperately took in some of the laser beams and began redirecting them toward Ghostfreak ahead of him. His body acted like a prism allowing the lasers to reflect and refract out of him. They shot towards Zs'Skayr and burned into his hide causing him to gasp out in pain. The alien ghost grimaced in pain, an ugly murderous expression on his already horrendous face. He shot forward simultaneously trying to avoid the maze of lasers in front of him and the reflected beams from Chromastone behind him. Ben wanted to chase after him right away but a cry of pain from behind him distracted him. He turned around and saw through his cyclopic eye that a laser had grazed Julie and burned off a portion of Ship's armor, revealing reddened skin underneath.
Ben set his jaw and spread his hands out. He stood still as he allowed the beams to enter through him and consciously directed them away from the group. He called out to his friends to advance up the hallway. This method would be slower but he could ensure everyone's safety better. The group strategically advanced through the corridor, allowing Ben to redirect the lasers enough for them to pass then watching as he rushed forward again to do the same thing over. Meanwhile, Ghostfreak continued to float through the maze of laser lights and cackled as he looked back.
"You should hurry up Tennyson! I can nearly see the end of the tunnel from here." He taunted. Ben responded with a growl and a frown. Ghostfreak was getting away but there was nothing he could do about it. He watched helplessly as the ectonurite flew on ahead of him, getting further and further away from their group.
"Ben he is right!" Came the surprising voice of Rook from beside him. Chromastone looked down on Rook. "You can make it through this maze unharmed. We will just slow you down." He tried to reason.
"I can't leave you all here!" He retorted.
"Don't be stupid Ben, the enemy is getting away!" Kai said back angrily. Ben looked around at his group. A few weeks ago he would have absolutely charged after Zs'Skayr without hesitation. But as his eyes drifted over to Julie clutching her burned arm he recalled her words to him back when they were stranded together. His reckless actions had caused more harm then good, not just back then but throughout most of his life. They would still be able to catch up to Ghostfreak but they would do it together. He wouldn't abandon his friends again, no matter how much he wanted to catch Ghostfreak.
Charmcaster looked up to see the dilemma obvious on Ben's face. She read the situation in an instant. The others would be better equipped to deal with Ghostfreak then she would. Charmcaster took a deep breath before raising her hands. "Ben." She spoke grabbing his attention. "You and the others go ahead. I'll deal with this." She spoke. The sorceress began waving her arms around herself and through the air, casting her magic and chanting a spell simultaneously. The laser lights which filled the hall in front of them began to curve and twist unnaturally through the air. They flew towards Charmcaster and began to spin around her rapidly until the webs of light were tangled up together around her. She spun her hands atop each other as she concentrated on her spell. She looked up at the group who regarded her with amazement and respect. "Go on! I'll hold here and wait for the others." She nodded resolutely.
The group nodded to her before racing full speed down the hallway. Around them the strands of lasers parted harmlessly out of their way. They could no longer see Ghostfreak in front of them but they saw the end of the hallway looming in front of them. They passed through in a run, only stopping when they realized where they ended up. They exited out into a large circular chamber with high walls. The walls and floor were adorned with tall glyphs and decorative torches that lit up the space. In front of them was a large staircase leading up the side of a tall pyramidal structure. An altar sat high atop the staircase. A glass skylight illuminated the structure in front of them. Sat on the altar was a large weapon with steel and leather handle sticking straight up. It was hard to make out from their vantage point but the weapon looked to be a large rectangular block of irridescent metal that shined in the light. But what drew their immediate attention was the fact that Ghostfreak hovered menacingly above the weapon.
"Hahahaha! You are too late Tennyson!" Zs'Skayr laughed maniacally. "The Demiurge Hammer is here and it is in my grasp!" He said gesturing to the ornate weapon with his oversized clawed hands.
"No!" Ben shouted out.
"Yes! It is mine! And with it I will turn this universe into a place of darkness where I alone shall rule! And you will spend an eternity in torture!" He bragged. "Prepare yourself Ben 10 for your worst nightmares to become real! Hahahaha!" He laughed as he grabbed the handle of the hammer.
The hammer shone with bright colorful light. The chamber was filled with a radiant glow as Ghostfreak gripped the handle with both hands. His laugh echoed through the otherwise silent chamber. Electric sparks raced up from the block of metal and up to his hands. At first Ghostfreak reveled in the surge of power, but his face quickly fell. His hands trembled with the surge of electricity and his body spasmed. Below him the group of heroes watched in confused trepidation. Ghostfreak began to shout as the light grew brighter and he could feel his power and strength being drained away from him. Suddenly Ghostfreak was sucked into the hammer, his form shrinking and twisting until it travelled down the handle and into the mysterious weapon.
The heroes remained in stunned silence as they took in the scene that had happened before them. Ghostfreak no longer hovered above them, the only thing that remained was the hammer itself. They exchanged unsure glances, confused as to the events that had transpired. But their questions were replaced by new ones as a deep dark chuckle sounded through out the room. A full echo made the voice sound eerily sinister yet familiar at the same time. They watched as a new figure stepped into view from behind the altar. He was wreathed in a shroud of shifting light and transparent material, rendering him partially invisible.
"Who are you! What just happened to Ghostfreak!" Ben was the first to speak up, unafraid of the newcomer.
"Really? I thought you would have figured it out by now." The mysterious stranger spoke. "I've been the mastermind behind this whole escapade." No-One said, his arms wide. "Surely you'd recognize me without this façade though?" He replied. Suddenly the shroud of shifting light dropped away. It revealed a tall thin figure with an oversized cloak and dark helmet. His skin was grey and pale and his clothing was black and violet. On his right arm was a large complicated device. The man gave a sickly smile down at the group of heroes. The group was confused as to the man's identity, but Ben recognized him immediately.
"Eon!" He shouted. "I should have known. All of my greatest enemies had been making moves except for you. What have you been up to?" He accused. Eon chuckled darkly. His hand reached forward towards the hammer and the group of heroes tensed. But his fingers only lightly grazed its metal. Suddenly the weapon shone brightly again and the rectangular box opened up. Eon reached inside and withdrew a strange black and purple device before holding it aloft.
"I have been working tirelessly, spending months and months planning. All leading to this. To the creation of my greatest invention and the weapon that will bring you to your knees." Eon explained.
"Behold the Abominatrix!"
A/N: His identity is revealed! Eon has been the mastermind all along and the main villain of the story. To the reviewer who guessed it would be an evil version of Ben, you're technically right! I wonder how many of you had guessed correctly and how many are genuinely surprised. I tried to drop a number of hints and do some foreshadowing but I have no idea if it worked or not. But what is the Abominatrix? What purpose does it serve? And what else does Eon have planned? Tune in next week to find out.