By The Cthonaut

Ben 10 Fanfiction

All rights to Ben 10 belongs to Man of Action and Cartoon Network, including majority of characters

Authors Notes

Here we are. The premiere of Season 2. The last chapter was one of my favorites. I love a good Injured Ben AU. Now I have a great arc planned for Chapter 11-15. I'm going to be introducing new characters, locations and stories. I promise it's going to get better. And after thinking….I'm possibly going to add one last gal. MAYBE!! I'm still thinking about it because I have the iconic gals. And for the last time, no I'm not going to add Frightwing. At least with Rojo, I can make it to where she doesn't age, thanks to the technology that got injected inside her. Plus, I do not like Frightwing. Now, onto Chapter 11. Hope y'all enjoy!!!!

Chapter 11: Aftermath Part 1

It had been three months since the colossal battle between Ben and Malik. The entire universe was in mourning for the young man. Memorials and monuments were erected for the heroics Ben had accomplished. But none were like the one that was put up in Bellwood.

Everyone in the town had shown up to the memorial service in the park where the city officials had put up a statue of Ben. It depicted Ben in a heroic pose with the Omnitrix held up. It read "Ben Tennyson, Hero of Heros." Ben would have loved it.

His lovers were in a depressed and saddened state, but they held it together as they had hope he was still alive. They had good reason to. When the Plumbers arrived at the scene where Ben was supposedly killed, there was no body. Only blood and the remnants of the Omnitrix. Malik's corpse had vanished as well, giving concern he was still alive as well.

There was also another development that stunned everyone: Looma was pregnant with Ben's child. It was very early, so she showed no signs. This had motivated everyone to find Ben faster.

Looma went through the emotions and reached out to other sources to find her beloved. She didn't want her child to be without a father. She never had a mother and refused to let her own baby go through the same pain she did with losing a parent.

Evie was a complete mess. She wasn't that happy child she usually was. She spent some nights crying and cuddled up to her mothers. And during the day clung to the teddy bear Ben had given her. But…she still had hope her daddy was still alive.

At the base, Gwen and Hope were using their magic to scan the destroyed Omnitrix. Gwen was currently three months pregnant with a little baby bump showing.

Kevin was pacing. "Have you found anything yet?"

Hope said. "Nothing. Whatever mana was here…has vanished."

Kevin gritted his teeth. "There has to be something!! We can't give up on him!!" He punched the wall.

Gwen touched his shoulder. "Deep breath, honey…you can't lose yourself…we will find him.."

Kevin nodded and pulled Gwen into a hug. "You're right…I'm sorry…I can't lose my cool like that…"

The couple embraced and held each other close.

Hope looked down as she felt a bit sad. She missed Ben's warm hugs and his soft brown hair. She missed the way he would hold her. It was also very heartbreaking seeing how Ben's disappearance affected the family.

The door slid open and Max came into the room, alongside Jon.

Kevin said. "Wait, I remember you. You were that guy who went with us in that supply run."

Jon nodded. "And I have a lot of information…Max knows everything…"

Max nodded and allowed Jon to begin telling them his story.

Jon took a deep breath. "I was a spy for a group named G3…it's an organization dedicated to protecting Earth from threats and studying extraterrestrials…my boss, Solomon, saw Ben as a great candidate so...I was sent to spy on him-"

Suddenly he was interrupted by Kevin as Osmosian man punched Jon hard in the face.

"I knew you were a scumbag!! You sold Ben out!!!" Kevin yelled as he touched the ground, encasing himself in steel, about to pummel the man's face in.

Max jumped in. "Wait, son. He's not finished yet."

"He is the reason Ben is missing! We should be beating information out of him!" Kevin yelled.

Max gave Kevin a stern look. "Let him finish."

Jon stood up. "No…I deserve that. Solomon isn't responsible for taking Ben, but I know who is. After we recovered Ben…we started to treat him. He was in terrible shape...paralyzed from the neck down so we had to make a plan on what to do…"

The group listened closely to Jon as he described in detail what happened.

Jon sighed. "We were about to start Project Zero...it's a program dedicated to rebuilding soldiers…I was a subject. The first. There were other subjects but...they didn't make it ." He explained as he pulled up his shirt and showed them his chest. There were metal lines all over his chest that went down to his abdomen, which had a black plate over it, in the shape of his abs.

"When I was in the military, mortar round got me. G3 cut me a deal on my deathbed…now I'm a cybernetic soldier. We were about to do the same with Ben to save him and bring him back but…there was a revolt. A high ranking soldier named Slade Wilson led a charge against Solomon. Me and him escaped...but went our separate ways. When I returned to the base two days later, everything was gone, including Ben…"

Hope spoke up. "Was he..alive when you last saw him?"

Jon shrugged. "Last I saw, he was in a stasis pod to rest while the doctors prepped him, but that was three months ago. I'm sorry it isn't the information you all were hoping for but...at least we know where we're at. I figured it was better than nothing."

Kevin nodded and began to think. Then it came to him. "There's an information broker in Undertown we can ask. He has informants and moles everywhere. Only problem is…no one knows who he is. We gotta find one of his agents to get a meeting."

Gwen replied. "Is there any way you can get us a meeting with him?"

Jon said. "I can. You all are too well known and it will throw off any chance we have of finding Ben. I'll go to Undertown and start turning stones. Once I have the information, we'll plan our next move."

Max replied. "Whatever information you get, you give it to us. Leave nothing out."

Jon nodded and left the room.

Kevin asked. "You trust him?"

Max said. "Not fully but…we have no other options. I have Mazuma tracking his movements."

Gwen said. "He is one of the only leads we have on Ben."

Hope replied. "But do we put all our faith in him? It could be a trick."

Max said. "Time will tell. We just have to wait now…"

Meanwhile…

Mazuma was keeping track of Jon's movements, with the order of Max Tennyson. She wore a cloak that concealed her from sight. With her body hidden, she followed him.

Jon moved through the streets of Undertown. It was a busy day. When he looked at some of the vendors, he noticed they were selling merchandise inspired by Ben. There were Omnitrix replicas, T-Shirts, autographs, and more that were clearly fake, but people still bought them.

Jon looked in disgust at the vultures profiting off the death of a hero. He shook his head and moved into an alleyway.

Mazuma followed, but as soon as she entered the alleyway, Jon grabbed her and threw her against the wall. "Why are you following me?" He asked plain and simple.

Mazuma grunted and looked at him. "I was told to follow you…for all we know, you could be trying to entrap us."

Jon sighed. "For the last time, I'm not with them anymore."

Mazuma rolled her eyes. "You have yet to prove it."

Jon groaned. "Then come with me then. You can help me find one of the Brokers agents."

Mazuma nodded and the two left the alleyway.

Unbeknownst to them, there was a figure watching them from the rooftops. Though he was hidden in the shadows, he appeared to be wearing a militarized bodysuit with armor and a stylized skull mask with a hood. The suit colors were black with red accents.

He stood on the building, watching the duo. A voice then came over his comms. "Only watch them, Agent 47. Do not engage until they find the agent. We need that information."

The figure nodded and continued to pursue the duo.

Jon and Mazuma entered an establishment called the 'Black Hole'. It was basically a bar for villains and mercenaries. Jon got very bad vibes as he walked through the crowd.

Mazuma had eyes all over her, but when a Piscciss Volann criminal tried to touch her, she grabbed his arm and broke it. The fishy alien screamed in pain and everyone backed off.

Jon quickly got Mazuma away and they ended up at a booth, where a Methonosian was sitting.

The duo sat down and Jon asked. "I was told you have something I require…"

The viney alien said. "Maybe I do...for a price."

Jon pulled out a bag of Taydenite and gave it to the alien.

The alien nodded and led the two to the back of the bar. There was a chair turned away from them.

The green viney alien said. "Boss, your guests are here."

The chair turned around and…it was Argit.

Jon raised his eyebrow. "You? You're the Broker?"

Argit smirked as he kicked his feet and put his hands behind his head. "What can I say, Red Spots? I got a thing for finding things of value. And I know exactly why you're here."

Mazuma tilted her head. "You do?"

Argit nodded. "You want to find out what happened to Tennyson."

Jon asked. "How did you-"

"I have a way of knowing. You weren't the only mole at G3." Argit replied as he pulled out a thumb drive. "This has what you need but it won't come cheap."

Jon rolled his eyes. "Of course it won't…" He was about to pull out some cash but as he did, the ceiling above crashed in. The armored figure that was following Mazuma and Jon had found them. He grabbed the USB and kicked Argit back against the wall. Mazuma tried to stop the man but he threw a device that made Mazuma short out, her body dropping to the ground. He then started to escape but Jon was in pursuit. Jon looked back at Mazuma and sighed. "Oh fuck it." He ran after the attacker.

The two ran through Undertown, the armored figure ahead of Jon. Jon pulled out his blaster and began to fire at the attacker.

One of the blaster bolts hit the USB and made it go flying. When the armored individual tried to grab it, Jon tackled him to the ground.

The two went tumbling and crashed through a vendor's stand. The attacker grabbed Jon and threw him across the way.

Citizens ran away to safer places as Jon groaned, slowly standing up.

The armored individual stood up as well and the two began to stare each other down.

The armored man pulled out a sword hilt and pressed a button on it, which extended a red energy blade.

Jon pulled out a similar blade and said. "You're not the only one who has one." He smirked and rushed towards the attacker.

The two energy blades clashed, Jon and the attacker in a vicious duel. Both were evenly matched, as if they had similar training.

The attacker moved with speed as he struck Jon with his blade. He slashed Jon's arm, causing the young man to groan. Jon had a burn on his shoulder and growled.

The attacker circled Jon, his blade behind his back at the ready to slice the injured man to bits.

Jon stood on position as he watched. There was something about this guy. But he quickly snapped out of it when the armored attacker rushed him.

The two were in a sword battle across Undertown. Jon was barely holding his ground.

But just before the attacker could remove Jon's head, a blast of pink energy hit him and sent him flying.

Jon took a breath of relief as he got up and looked in the direction of the blast.

It was Gwen, Kevin and Rook.

Jon walked over. "Man, am I glad to see you guys. I'm guessing Mazuma called."

Rook said. "Actually...it was Argit, surprisingly."

"Which is very surprising." Gwen nodded.

Mazuma limped out as she crackled. "That bloke tried to shut me down."

Jon winced. "Mazuma…I'm sorry for leaving you behind."

Mazuma put her hand up to stop him. "Don't. Did you get the drive?"

Jon looked around and saw it. He picked it up. "Got it. Looks like it wasn't a total mess." He smiled as he put it in his pocket.

There was a clatter and the gang looked over as the armored man got out of the rubble.

He touched his helmet, which had a crack in the lense. It showed a red cybernetic eye.

Jon pulled out his blaster, but the armored man escaped. He wasn't in any shape to fight the plumbers. But he had a back up plan.

Inside Argits office, he had placed a small device which could hack into the systems. The device began to download information to the man's helmet. He got what he came for.

The group retreated to the Headquarters. Jon gave Max the drive.

Max smiled. "Good work, Jon. Now...let's see what was recovered."

When Max put the drive in the main computer, it began to play a video log.

It showed a scientist talking in a lab. He looked tired and stressed.

"Video log 14: Subject is unresponsive to treatment…Solomon wants us to keep trying, but I do not see potential . We have two options…either put him in Project Zero or…cut him loose. We've already lost 45 other subjects except for our first…let's try again"

The next log played and it was a different scientist. He looked more ecstatic.

"Video log 23: subject 47 is alive and well!!! He has responded to treatment. However vocal function is not working, he has gained full consciousness and motor functions. He is very responsive to training and is able to perform tasks beyond expectations. Commander Wilson will be pleased. We finally have our killer!!"

Jon was getting memories. "I was the first subject of the project. A prototype. There were 45 after me and…they didn't make it. Solomon didn't want Ben to go through the program. He wanted him to recover on his own…"

Gwen said. "This clearly shows otherwise."

Hope added. "Or maybe...this file isn't about Ben…"

Jon's eyes widened. "It's about that masked agent I fought in Undertown!!"

"Another dead end…" Kevin groaned.

Max spoke up. "Actually, it's the start. I recognize that lab. Plumbers used to use it for weapons development. It's 20 miles away."

Rook said. "We should be able to explore that base and find clues as to Ben's whereabouts."

Max nodded. "I also received reports from Echo squad. They found the exact same individual in Europe last week."

Max put an image up on the screen of the armored man in France. He was sitting in a window with a sniper. Coincidentally, a foreign minister was assassinated not too far from that position that same night.

Gwen sighed then remembered. "I remember seeing that on the news! It's still unknown who killed the minister."

Kevin gulped. "Not anymore."

Mazuma said. "Have there been any more sightings?"

Max replied. "He's been all over the world but he's been primarily in Russia, Korea, Italy, and most recently, Bellwood.

Jon rubbed his chin. "Looks like we're going to have to divide into teams. This assassin is the key to finding Ben."

Kevin raised an eyebrow. "We? You want to join?"

Jon nodded. "Ben was one of the best commanders I've served with. I want to help bring him home."

Mazuma added. "He did get this information and took on that assailant."

Hope agreed. "We also need all the help we can get."

Kevin sighed. "Fine…I'll work with him for now."

Max nodded. "Then let's get to work. Call everyone in. It's time for a hunt."

Everyone nodded and went off to make calls.

Gwen walked over to Kevin and gently massaged his shoulders. "Are you doing alright love?"

Kevin nodded. "Just a lot of stress right now…with our baby coming and…where Ben is…he's probably out there, alone and in a terrible situation…part of me thinks he's dead.."

Gwen touched his cheek and made him face her. "Kevin Ethan Levin…you can't think like that. Ben's been in tough situations before…he's alive. For all we know, he could be on some island in Tahiti sipping smoothies."

Kevin chuckled. "If that's the case, I'm going to kill him when we find him."

Gwen smiled. "I'll gladly join you." She kissed his lips and smiled.

The two embraced and walked together to go do their work.

Meanwhile….

Agent 47 entered a dark room. He placed a data disk on the table.

A man picked it up. He wore a black armored suit with orange accents. He had a graying beard and hair. The most noticeable thing about him was he had an eyepatch over his right eye.

This was Slade Wilson, the new Commander for G3.

He smiled. "Good work, Agent 47. This information will help us against the enemy."

Slade placed it on a holo projector and brought up images of different bad guys Ben had fought.

There was Captain Nemesis, Kangaroo Commando, Dr. Animo, Khyber, Rojo and countless others.

Slade said. "Study this information and these individuals. Find out how to tame them. Once you have decided who you want to work with, recruit them. But do not lose control of them."

47 nodded and looked over the roster. He pointed to Rojo.

Slade nodded. "Study her then go retrieve her. She will be your partner. And remember…we don't accept failure..." He chuckled as he left the room.

47 sat at the table, staring at the picture of Rojo through his cracked lense.

This was only the beginning.

Authors Notes

Ah, we are so back!!! This was a huge part as I had to decide what direction I wanted but we did it. I call this arc "Aftermath". And as you can all tell, I do favor Looma a good bit. I hope you all enjoy what I have in store. Please leave your ideas in the comments and don't be afraid to message me your ideas. See ya!!!

Editor Note: Hello lovelies! We're back! And I will say he is getting much better with punctuation and spacing things out. I'm very proud of the author. He is doing fantastic!

Ruby Out!