—Arcane Street Fighter—
Bellwood.
What was once your average Midwestern American settlement now flourishes with a new and improved look. Highly advanced skyscrapers stretch toward the heavens, interconnecting high-rising walkways weave through the air, and aerial traffic buzzes above. This is a city built on a city, layered like an intricate cake. It represents the golden result of a Bellwood that has flourished under the worthy management of the United States of Interplanetary Systems. One of the first locations across America to agree to the terms of the High Council, it showcases a vision of humans and aliens coexisting.
Who could disagree? With a small-town hero turned intergalactic savior like Ben Tennyson as the face of the press behind the transition, it's the best thing that's happened on Earth—or most of it, at least. The majority of nations around the globe still cling to their xenophobic outlook towards extraterrestrials, creating their own international laws that establish their territories as "Xeno-Free" zones. They view the mixture of interplanetary relations as a threat to their national security and a potential loss of human culture, fearing a "fade into obscurity of mankind's purity." What a load of baloney.
"What?" an elder's voice broke through the air.
"I said what a load of baloney this article is, Max! Come on now, do the commies really think that?" Another elder replied, his voice laced with disbelief.
Bellwood - Central Lake - Daytime
Grandpa Max and his companion, Hank, were out fishing on a small boat. Max managed to reel in a fish, but to his dismay, it was a Miregonk, an extraterrestrial fish-like organism. With a sigh, he tossed it back into the water.
Max: "Well, Hank, it's not all that bad. I hear the Russians are doing business with the Korvan." He said, casting his line again.
Another Miregonk. Max tsked in disappointment and returned the alien fish to the lake.
Hank: "I wouldn't call arms dealing a friendly invitation. That's just business! They're a bunch of xenophobes! And when are the Plumbers going to deal with those little buggers? That's some heavy weaponry they're handing out to the Reds," he argued, his voice rising with concern.
Max: "We're not at war anymore, old friend. I really want to enjoy my retirement without you asking me about the Plumbers every five minutes." He chuckled, amusement dancing in his eyes despite Hank's grumpy demeanor.
Hank: "Hey, you're the one who skipped out on me when you left the Air Force, so I've got years' worth of questions, and you bet I'm gonna ask them. I want to know every story in that thick skull of yours—like, uh, that super-grandson of yours. My memory isn't what it used to be, I forget so many names… Hmm…" He paused, furrowing his brow in concentration. "Benjamin!" he exclaimed. "I remember now."
Max fell silent at the mention of his grandson's name, continuing to stare at the lake. He avoided the topic, his expression stoic. He reeled in another fish, and upon realizing it was finally an actual Earth-based fish, his dull seriousness faded, a familiar smile returning to his face.
"How's he holding up?" Hank asked, breaking the silence.
—TITLE CARD—
Friedkin University - Bellwood - Daytime
"Okay, guys, that's a wrap on most of today's topic regarding The Tel Dan Stele—and… looks like we've only got a few minutes left. So… if you all did indeed read the assigned pages, I'm sure some of you are stoked to share a few facts on last week's subject." A professor walked into view, flipping through a few pages of a book placed on a podium. She glanced up at the decently crowded auditorium, decorated with countless antiquities.
She waited for the students to speak.
Professor: "That's your cue to talk, by the way."
Silence hung in the air, broken only by a distant cough.
Professor: "Look, we've all possibly covered this subject in our infancy, but this next month we're diving deep into current archaeological efforts. Let's start with something simple." She grabbed an object from underneath the podium and began walking around.
With a swift motion, she tossed a wooden orb filled with ancient scriptures at an unsuspecting student. "Gerald, tell me something about Ancient Egypt, quick, quick, quick!" The student caught the ball but was too surprised to speak immediately.
Gerald: "Uh, right, so… I remember reading that it took experts a long time to estimate when the pyramids were made—how long it took them… Never mind how they even made them. They pinpointed that the pyramids were built in 2560 BC."
Professor: "And… they were completed in…" She paused, waiting expectantly.
Another student raised his hand eagerly.
Student: "2540 BC, and it took them only like 20 years. I think it was…" He snapped his fingers. "Ah! During Pharaoh Khufu's rule. Dude had a Slave-Plus membership." A few students chuckled.
Professor: "Javier, that's—" she nearly laughed, facepalming. "That's an odd way of putting it, but exactly. Using thousands upon thousands of slaves, some experts believe it may have taken them more than 20 years, but that's the general estimate. Anyone else?"
A student near the back of the auditorium raised her hand, and someone threw the orb at her, hitting her straight in the head.
"Ow!" she exclaimed.
"Sorry!" Gerald called back, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head.
Professor: "Fellah?"
Fellah: "Yes, Profesor Danvers, I didn't want to ruin the middle school flashback, but I was looking up information on the current excavations in Egypt. Apart from the less exciting findings like jewelry, makeup items, and other artisanal objects that have been dug up recently, there are many excavations whose details don't seem to be available to the general public. My concern is, if our goal is to uncover the ancient world, why are so many findings being curated but then immediately archived?" She looked up from her laptop, emphasizing every word.
Professor: "Oof, Fellah, I know what you're trying to do—that's a dangerous attempt at awakening my conspiracy bone! If you keep it up, we'll spend another hour on this topic." She smirked, and a few students chuckled. "I know someone here who might have a more succinct take on that subject." She smiled, glancing toward the top end of the auditorium. "Someone who's been awfully quiet."
The entire class turned to face the student at the top.
A silent sigh escaped Ben, the spectated student.
Ben: "Right…" He fidgeted awkwardly. "Should I, though?"
He wore a hooded dark-green leather jacket over a white T-shirt, paired with black tech-wear style pants and shoes that matched his outfit's color palette. Around his neck hung a dog tag with a glowing number ten.
Professor: "I'd love to hear your thoughts on what Fellah brought up, Mr. Tennyson." She smiled hopefully, her brightness unignorable.
Ben: "Alright... Sorry, what was the question?" Silent chuckles rippled through the classroom.
Fellah: "Why do you think many of these findings are covered up the moment individual expeditions uncover something?" She grew a little nervous asking Ben directly.
Ben took a moment to answer, resting his chin on his hand to signal that he was thinking. The professor glanced at her watch, noting how little time was left. Some students returned to their laptops.
Ben: "Well... to me, it's pretty obvious. With all the Xeno-Free Zone stuff going on, most governments don't want their history tied to extraterrestrial relations." He had everyone's attention now.
Fellah: "So you're saying you think aliens interfered with human affairs in Egypt?"
Ben let out a quick laugh. "I wouldn't call it interference. I'm not saying something crazy like 'aliens built the pyramids.' I don't want to discredit our own ingenuity, but… some of the mathematics, astronomy, and even the physics needed to build them…" He hesitated, as if regretting bringing it up. "Look, I just think there was an opportunity for a mutual exchange." He looked away for a moment. "It's just a gut feeling."
"After all, the tops of the pyramids are literally charging stations for Thep Khufan starships," he whispered to himself, almost avoidantly.
Fellah: "What?"
Professor: "I'm sorry, class, time is up. I have to go pick up the kids. Very interesting points, Ben! I hope to hear more about it tomorrow!" She hurriedly gathered her things and rushed out.
As the other students began to rise,
Fellah: "Wait, I still have—" She looked behind her to ask another question, but Ben had somehow vanished, like a ghost. "Questions…" she finished, her voice tinged with disappointment.
Friedkin University - Archaeological Materials Lab - Midday
Ben was oblivious to the three students spying on him from the corridor. Inside the lab, he was engrossed in his studies, carefully inspecting a few artifacts and jotting down notes.
Gerald: "Look at him! Dude looks like a level 100 coming back to play the first dungeon with the new players."
Fellah: "I don't know what that means, but I'm guessing you're saying what I'm thinking. He just doesn't seem like the type to be here."
Gerald: "Doesn't he already have a degree? I read somewhere that he got an honorary degree for saving the campus ages ago." He pulled out his phone to verify the information.
Sarah: "I don't care about the what-who-where; we have freaking Ben Tennyson in our major! How crazy is that?" She pushed the others aside and pressed her face against the glass window in the door.
Her peers pulled her back just as Ben raised his head, looking at the door, confused.
Fellah: "You're crushing hard, Sarah." She pulled her back before Ben could catch a glimpse of her classmate. "But seriously, you always see this guy on TV with that huge personality and that obnoxious nineties cool-dude act. Here? He's just your average awkward nerd."
Gerald: "Maybe he's just a slight case of a fish out of water." He suggested, adjusting his glasses.
Fellah: "Not sure that applies to a fish that can turn into a mammal at will..." She squinted in speculation.
Sarah: "Well, buy me a boat because this girl wants to go fishing!" She twirled her hair flirtatiously.
Before Fellah could respond, clearly disturbed by Sarah's remark, the lab door swung open. Ben stood awkwardly at the other end, staring at the trio. Shocked, the three of them could only stare back.
Ben: "Uh… have a nice day, guys! See you tomorrow!" He said, trying to maintain his cool as he walked past them.
Sarah: "You too, Benji-boo!" she shouted playfully, prompting her classmates to cringe in unison.
Fellah: "You have no shame..." She facepalmed, shaking her head.
Sarah shrugged.
Friedkin University - Professor Hex's Library - Midday
Ben opens the doors to a grandiose private library. It was Hex's Library, an enormous collection of spell books, as well as both mystic and eldritch literature. Occult galore.
He walked in, books were floating everywhere. A peacefully relaxing ambience could be felt, it was a library after all. Hex could be seen doing some work in the front desk, possibly bookkeeping.
Ben: "What's up Hex, seen Gwen around?" He says out loud.
Hex motions him to be quiet. He then points up above, without removing his sight from his work. Ben looks up, noticing his cousin floating up above, books floating around her, studying in a meditative form, with her eyes closed.
—GHOSTFREAK—
In his ghostly form, he flew up, sneakily hiding from behind, upon reaching her. "Heh heh..." Before she could slowly turn to face him, he childishly attempted to scare her.
"Boo!" He shouted. No response.
Whilst levitating in her sitting position, Gwen turned very slowly to face him, eyes still closed. She was wearing a lavish mystic attire, with a short, blueish, hooded cloak, and a darkened jumpsuit, and even Charmcaster's bag strapped around her.
"Dweeb." She says, without a slight fright, opening her eyes afterwards.
Now facing him, we see that she has something else strapped to her. A chest carrier, with a small passenger on it.
An infant son, no less than a year old. He looks at Ben and lets out an aggressive farting noise from his mouth.
Ben: "Hey stinky." He pat his nephew.
Gwen: "Oh great... I hate that you taught him that, he's been at it nonstop." She opened her eyes.
Ben: "That's why I call him stinky." He laughed.
"Shhh" Hex could be heard shushing Ben from below.
Gwen: "Balcony?" She suggested.
Ben: "Yeah." He shrugged.
Friedkin University - Hex's Library Balcony - Noon
Ben and Gwen had been relaxing on the balcony for some time now. A comfortable silence filled the air as they admired the distant flying cars zipping by, cutting through the sleek, futuristic skyline of Bellwood. Even now, both cousins were still in awe of how much the city had evolved.
Both looked weary from their day of academic work. Ben fidgeted a little, and as usual, couldn't resist breaking the moment of peace.
Ben: "I still can't believe it, Gwen. Professor Tennyson. At your age! My doofus cousin, a professor at a 'prestigious' university." He stretched his arms dramatically, a playful grin on his face.
Gwen: "Make that 'soon-to-be'. I still have to convince the board. Trying to legitimize 'magic' in the curriculum is like herding cats. But if you call it an 'Introductory Course on the Mystic Arts,' it sounds less… medieval." She chuckled softly. "Hex has been a big help."
Ben: "I don't get most of the 'mystical mumbo-jumbo,' but I know you'll nail it." He gave her a reassuring smile, nudging her lightly.
Gwen: "Thanks." She smiled back.
Ben glanced at Owen, who was now dozing off in his chest carrier, only to let out a loud yawn.
Ben: "So, with all your professor stuff, has Stinky been behaving?" He pointed to his sleeping nephew.
Gwen: "Ugh, don't even get me started. Like father, like son. Do you know how hard it is to find a nanny who can handle an Osmosian toddler?" She sighed.
Owen stirred, letting out another farting noise with his mouth.
Ben: "Maybe you should let Grandpa Max watch him more often."
Gwen: "No way, I can't do that. Let Grandpa enjoy his retirement. We put him through enough growing up." She laughed softly. "And don't even bring up my parents—they'd be calling every five minutes in a panic."
Ben laughed as Owen grabbed a metal buckle from his carrier and absorbed it, his tiny arm turning into a sharp metallic shape. Gwen gently scolded him.
Gwen: "Ah ah, no." She tapped his hand lightly, and Owen released the metal, returning his arm to normal.
The baby grumbled softly in protest.
Ben: "Still no sign of that Anodite side popping up?"
Gwen: "Nope. And honestly, I hope it stays that way. I don't think I've ever heard of a male Anodite anyway." She tickled Owen, making him giggle. "For now, he's all Levin."
Ben: "How does that even work?" He asked, making a vague baby-holding gesture, trying to sidestep any awkward details about Anodite biology.
Gwen: "Don't ask me. It's still a mystery." She shrugged, cradling Owen as he cooed. "I don't even know anything about Anodine. What little I know, thanks to 'good old' grandma, is that its one of the universe's most guarded secrets."
Ben: "I thought you were supposed to be the genius in the family. I would've thought you'd crack that case by now." He teased, raising an eyebrow.
Gwen: "Not when I'm thinking for three..." She shot back, a smirk on her face. "Maybe you should try solving it yourself, 'Doctor Jones.' You're smart too."
Ben: "Hah, barely." He turned away, his tone shifting, the playful edge in his voice gone. Gwen noticed.
A brief silence lingered between them.
Gwen: "Ben…" She hesitated. "I've been avoiding asking this, but… why archaeology?" She turned to face him more seriously.
Ben paused, searching for the right words.
Gwen: "I mean, if it's okay to ask."
Ben: "No, it's fine. It's just… sudden, you know?" He forced a smile. "I can't really explain it. I just… like it. It's fun."
Gwen: "Really…?" She gave him a skeptical look, her brow raised, while Owen made another farting noise, breaking the tension.
Ben: "No, seriously. I'd even say it's relaxing."
Gwen leaned back against the railing, studying him carefully, her expression a mix of curiosity and doubt.
Ben: "Look, I know I used to say how much I hated history, museums, all that kinda stuff, but after everything I've been through these past few years… things that literally defy logic and reality, I'm tired, Gwen. I need to feel grounded again." He spoke, his discomfort gradually showing.
"I've gone up against warlords, conquerors, evil empires… even literal gods. I've traveled through time and across the multiverse! I mean, come on… Time travel? It's just—maybe it's time I stop worrying about what's next and start digging into what's already happened." His voice carried both exhaustion and relief, as if the idea gave him peace.
Gwen: "And you're sure this isn't just to impress… you know who?" She smirked, avoiding naming names.
Ben: "Oh, no. No, no, no. Kai? That's ancient history." He waved it off awkwardly. "We're just friends now."
Gwen: "But you did just say you want to 'uncover the past,'" she teased with a grin.
Ben: "Ugh, you know what I meant!" He groaned, clearly frustrated.
Gwen chuckled softly.
Gwen: "I mean, you used to hate smoothies, and now you're obsessed with them, so… guess it's not that far-fetched." She smirked. "Just don't go overboard, okay? Some things are better left buried." She added, her tone shifting as her fingers gently brushed over Charmcaster's bag, her expression momentarily clouded with hidden sadness.
Ben noticed but didn't press the matter.
Ben: "Yeah… besides, I haven't exactly been doing much lately. I can't even remember the last time I did any real hero work, not since—well, you know." His voice trailed off as his gaze drifted into the distance. "Man, I haven't heard from Rook in weeks." He said, the nostalgia clear in his voice.
Gwen: "Yeah…" Gwen mirrored his sentiment, both avoiding the heavier topic. "It's been a long month. Maybe you should take a break today—go hang out with Kevin, clear your pea-sized brain."
Ben: "You know what? That sounds like a good idea." He smiled, his mood lifting slightly.
Later...
Bellwood Undertown - Industrial Complex - Nighttime
Kevin's car crashes through a ruptured wall, the engine roaring as it speeds away into the shadows. Three unknown hovercrafts pursue them at high speed.
Inside the vehicle, Ben grips his seat, his expression a mix of shock and amusement.
Ben: "This was a terrible idea!" He mutters to himself.
Kevin: "Hold on." he said, with an unfitting casual tone.
Ben: "I am!" He snaps back.
Kevin swerves into a dark, abandoned alley, killing the engine. They sit in silence for a tense moment as their pursuers zoom past, oblivious to their hiding spot.
Kevin slams the steering wheel in frustration, letting out a deep sigh as the chase ends—for now.
Bellwood Undertown - Industrial Complex Rooftops - Nighttime
After escaping the chase, they've retreated to a hidden vantage point on the rooftops, overlooking the vast, desolate landscape of Undertown. Ben fumbles with the spilled contents in the backseat of Kevin's car while Kevin scans the area with a pair of advanced Plumber-issued binoculars.
Ben: "Ah man, all the smoothies got trashed up…" He groans.
Kevin: "Sorry, but the moment I spotted that Appoplexian service droid driving a regular sedan around Mid-town? I knew it was a lead I couldn't ignore." He explained, walking toward Ben. "Those droids are being used to traffic sotoraggian spice. I don't know who's running the operation, but I want to shut it down tonight before another dumb kid overdoses on that junk."
Ben lifts one of the Mr. Smoothies cups, only to find it completely drained. He sighs in disappointment.
Kevin: "Cheer up, man. Next round's on me." Kevin smirks, then his tone shifts. "But, I gotta work this one solo."
Ben: "Come on, dude. You dragged me this far—spill the details, and I'll help out." Ben's enthusiasm starts to build.
Kevin pauses, looking at him with mild confusion.
Kevin: "Ben, you're... uh..." He scratches his head, trying to find the right words. "I don't know how to put this..."
Ben: "What? Can't bring me along 'cause I'm not a Plumber anymore? Who cares! I've never needed a badge to get things done—I'm Ben Tennyson." He grins arrogantly.
Kevin: "Yeah, okay, hero. But things aren't like they used to be. There's a lot more red tape now. I'll get a citation just for bringing you along, and as much as I don't need it, I still really like my job." Kevin leans against the car, arms crossed.
Ben: "Really? Kevin E. Levin, the rebel who's broken every rule in the book—afraid of a citation?" Ben smirks, folding his arms.
Kevin sighs, looking out into the distance. Then, unexpectedly, he starts laughing.
Ben: "What?"
Kevin turns around, still chuckling.
Kevin: "I just never thought I'd live in a world where I'm the one playing by the rules, and you're not." He laughs harder. "Alright, big-shot, you can come, but the moment we're done, you gotta scram." He started walking towards the driver's side. "Let's go. I've got places to be."
Ben grins, excitement surging.
Ben: "Now you're talking."
Bellwood Undertown - Abandoned Industrial Complex - Nighttime
Kevin and Ben followed another Appoplexian service droid, their vehicle creeping through the wreckage of the devastated streets. The dilapidated section of Undertown was eerily quiet, only broken by the low hum of Kevin's car.
Kevin: "Those securotrons from earlier were a good sign—we're close to the operation. Stay sharp."
—EYE GUY—
A flash of green filled the car's interior as Ben morphed into Eye Guy, his Opticoid body awkwardly crammed into the passenger seat.
Ben: "Eye eye, sir!" He quipped with a grin.
Kevin glanced at him, only mildly annoyed, before turning his focus back on the road.
Bellwood Undertown - Abandoned Industrial Complex - Nighttime
The Appoplexian service droid ahead of them maneuvered down a dirt-covered path surrounded by debris and crumbling buildings. It made its way to an old refinery zone, stopping at what appeared to be an abandoned storage facility.
Ben and Kevin quickly abandoned their car, taking to the rooftops of the towering structures around them to gain a better vantage point.
Kevin raised his Plumber-issued binoculars, scanning the area. Ben used his uncanny vision to do the same, extending Eye Guy's central eyeball forward.
Ben: "Yeesh. What happened to this place? Wasn't there a marketplace here a while back?" His multiple eyes swept across the vast, decaying landscape of Undertown.
Kevin: "The transition. With humans and aliens trying to coexist on the surface, there wasn't much reason for these people to stay underground anymore. Now, Undertown's really living up to its name—just a dumping ground."
Ben: "Uppertown, Midtown, Undertown… kinda sounds classist if you ask me."
Kevin: "That's 'cause it is. At least most of the crime's concentrated down here. A lot of escapees from last month have been spotted lurking in these areas. Wait—hold on. You see that?"
Ben focused his main eye in the direction Kevin indicated, zooming in.
A convoy of vehicles arrived at the entrance to the storage facility. Several well-dressed humans and aliens emerged from the cars. One opened the passenger door of the central vehicle, and a physically fit elderly man in a pristine black suit stepped out, flanked by guards.
Ben (Eye Guy): "No way. That's Mr. Beck." He squinted, focusing his eye.
Kevin: "Beck Gunningham. Big-time mobster back in the day. Now he's into spice and illegal trades. Word is he's picked up more muscle since the breakout. You tangled with him before?"
Ben: "Only once, but I was just a kid then. Haven't heard from him since." He transformed back to human form.
Kevin: "Guess we're calling this a callback." He dropped the binoculars and turned to Ben. "Alright, listen up. This is a bust, and we need as much evidence as possible, intact." Kevin leaned in close, giving Ben a stern look like a parent scolding their kid. "So please, do not turn into something that'll wreck everything." He backed off. "I'm serious, man."
—Ben transformed back to normal—
Ben: "Got it. Street fighters only." Ben nodded, updating the playlist in his Omnitrix.
Kevin scoped the location one last time through his binoculars, then groaned. "Oh, great."
Ben: "What now?"
Kevin handed Ben the binoculars. "Look over the rooftops."
Ben zoomed in and saw a cloaked feminine figure sneaking into the storage facility.
Kevin: "That... was 'The Mage.'" He sighed with clear frustration.
Ben: "Who?"
Kevin: "Don't you watch the news? She's some small-town hero from Midtown. Locals call her 'The Mage.' Magic-wielding Robin Hood, goes around healing the sick and stopping local crime. But I'm not buying it—she's not all that good."
Ben: "How come?" Ben stopped scanning through the binoculars and turned back to Kevin.
Kevin: "I'm running her case. Sure, she might do some good here and there, but she always steals something from the guys she's after, usually 'magical' artifacts. She's even broken into Plumber facilities." He handed Ben a holo-pad with intel on her. "That witch is up to something."
Ben: "I like her already."
Kevin: "Of course you do..." He frowned.
Ben: "Well, so far it sounds like we could stomp two birds with one stone here. Want to split up?"
Kevin: "So you can go blow up the whole place fighting Glinda? No way. We'll handle her later. Right now, I need you to make this easier and get us inside without setting off alarms."
Ben: "Man, you're no fun."
—CHAMALIEN—
Ben activated the Omnitrix, turning into the near-invisible Chamalien, blending perfectly into his surroundings.
Bellwood Undertown - Storage Facility - Interior
A large ceiling latch opened slowly, barely noticeable amidst the dim lighting of the storage facility. Nothing visible descended from the ceiling, but the faint sound of two sets of footsteps echoed on the metal platform, moving through the facility unnoticed.
Below, the storage room was packed with crates filled with illegal substances, guarded at every corner by well-armed criminals. The scene was straight out of an organized crime operation, like a high-functioning cartel.
The invisible footsteps traversed past several guards, momentarily causing confusion, but the guards quickly dismissed the sounds as mere echoes in the sprawling warehouse. The footsteps paused behind a towering wall of crates, safely hidden from view.
Kevin: "Alright, here's the plan. We gather as much evidence as possible, map out their operations, and then call in a Plumber Hit Squad to take them down."
Ben: "Come on, dude. Why so many steps? Why can't we just do it like the old days? Smash in, kick some butt, call it a day. What more evidence do the Plumbers need?" Ben's frustration was clear as he looked around the facility.
Kevin: "I get it, Ben, but I don't make the rules. And unlike you, I've got mouths to feed. Protocol's protocol, whether I like it or not."
Ben: "What are you talking about? When did you become such a square? Besides, aren't you literally swimming in taydens? You're rich!Why are you out here doing fieldwork?"
Kevin: "Try using taydens somewhere that only deals in High Union Credits. Now stop complaining and let's do this quietly."
Suddenly, a scream echoed from deeper within the facility, followed by shouts and the unmistakable sound of blaster fire.
Ben: "You mean quietly like that?" Ben pointed toward the commotion.
Out in the open, several glowing mana tendrils whipped down from the rafters, grabbing nearby guards and slamming them against walls and crates. The guards scrambled, shouting orders as they rushed toward the source of the attack.
From above, a cloaked figure dropped to the floor.
The Mage.
Dressed in a dark purple hooded cloak adorned with cryptic magical symbols, her black mask obscured her face, giving her an air of mystery. Various utility pouches and magical trinkets lined her outfit, making her look like a mix between a rogue and a spellcaster.
She flicked her wrist, tossing small seeds at the rushing criminals. Upon impact, the seeds exploded into thick, powerful vines, instantly entangling several guards and holding them suspended in the air.
More of the cartel members opened fire, forcing The Mage to dive behind cover, conjuring a shimmering shield of mana that absorbed the incoming blasts. She quickly countered with another wave of magical attacks, taking control of the battlefield with precision and finesse.
Kevin: "Great. This is exactly what we didn't need. Covert is off the table."
He got out of cover.
Kevin grunted. "You win, Tennyson. Time to bring out the old ways." His tone was resigned, but a hint of excitement crept in.
Ben smirked, pumping his fist. "Sweet!"
—FOUR ARMS—
With a flash of green light, Ben transformed into the hulking Tetramand. "Here comes the cavalry!" he shouted, charging straight into the fray.
Kevin absorbed metal from the nearby environment, his skin morphing into a steel-coated form as his fists grew larger. "Gotta admit," he said, cracking his knuckles, "I kind of miss this."
The criminals, still focused on firing at The Mage, froze in shock when they noticed the two heroes barreling toward them. Eyes wide with terror, they barely had time to react before Ben smashed through their defenses like a living battering ram, laughing like a warrior relishing an old battle.
With savage efficiency, Ben knocked down several of the crooks, his powerful fists swinging with devastating force. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw five more thugs aiming their blasters in his direction.
—DIAMONDHEAD—
In an instant, Ben transformed into Diamondhead. The criminals fired, but their shots ricocheted harmlessly off his diamond-hard skin. Beams and bullets deflected wildly, narrowly missing the crates filled with the dangerous spice.
The Mage, noticing Ben's presence for the first time, tensed. She glanced toward the high storage units, her eyes narrowing beneath her mask as she began to scale the shelves with agility.
A raspy, familiar voice crackled over the facility's intercom. "Stop shooting, dammit! That spice is highly flammable! What the hell is goi—" The voice cut off abruptly.
Kevin spotted a control tower in the distance. "Gotcha," he muttered, just as a volley of blaster fire struck his metal body. The shots bounced harmlessly off him as he charged his attackers, smashing weapons and knocking out the crooks with ease.
—STINKFLY—
High above, Ben had transformed into Stinkfly. He swooped down like a jet, firing globs of sticky goop at the criminals below, trapping them in place as he nimbly dodged their return fire. His wings hummed as he flew, scanning the battlefield.
He spotted The Mage, darting across the storage units with impressive speed. "Someone's in a hurry," he quipped, grinning. Distracted for a moment, a stray shot grazed his wing, sending him spiraling down into a pile of crates with a crash.
Ben groaned as he landed in the wreckage, but his assailants closed in fast, weapons raised.
—ECHO ECHO—
Suddenly, the debris exploded in a green flash as multiple Echo Echo duplicates emerged, sprinting toward the stunned criminals. They swarmed the thugs, overwhelming them with sheer numbers.
Meanwhile, a single Echo Echo scrambled up the towering shelves, hot on The Mage's trail. He moved with precision, his tiny form determined to catch her.
Storage Facility - Tower - Interior
Mr. Beck's fists clenched. "Who's doing this?" he demanded.
Criminal: "We've got three intruders, sir. One of them is... Ben Tennyson!"
Beck's expression darkened into a scowl of rage. "Get me the suit..." he growled ominously.
Storage Facility - Storage Corridors
Kevin pushed his way through narrow corridors, faced with an overwhelming number of Beck's men. With the volatile spice crates scattered around, they'd stopped using firearms, a relief Kevin welcomed. It made his task a bit easier.
They switched to electro-staves, proving somewhat effective. As three of the goons pinned him down, sending jolts of electricity through his body, Kevin gritted his teeth, enduring the pain. With a surge of his Osmosian power, he absorbed the electricity and redirected it back, frying the thugs in a crackling blast. They flew backward, unconscious.
A towering Detrovite charged toward him, clearly ready for a brawl. Kevin squared up, bracing for impact. But before the brute could land a hit, one of the massive steel shelves came crashing down on him, trapping the crook underneath. The Detrovite groaned, coughing up a cloud of spice dust before losing consciousness.
Kevin glanced up and spotted Echo Echo perched above, smirking and giving him a thumbs-up before sprinting off.
Behind him, a stampede of Echo Echo duplicates flooded the corridor, racing past Kevin in a blur.
Kevin couldn't help but grin. "Color me impressed, Tennyson."
One of the Echo Echo copies stopped, turning to him. "Go take care of Beck, Kevin! I've got the rest covered!"
With a quick nod, Kevin turned and sprinted toward the tower, leaving the echoes to handle the chaos behind him.
Abandoned Refinery Facility - Interior
The heavy door burst open, blasted by a surge of mana. The Mage strode through, entering what had once been a refinery room, now converted into a private collection of stolen artifacts. Weapons, items of power, and even ancient relics lined the shelves—Beck's treasure trove of ill-gotten goods, likely what kept him funded all these years. With the chaos at the storage facility, the room had been left unguarded.
The Mage moved silently, scanning the collection.
As she passed a shelf, her eyes caught an ancient amulet, glowing faintly with dormant magic. She reached out, gently clasping it, and began to absorb its mana. A wave of relief washed over her, and for a moment, she let out a soft sigh, closing her eyes as the energy replenished her. Once done, she carefully returned the amulet to its place.
Her brief calm was interrupted by the sound of soft, tiny footsteps behind her. Instinctively, her hands flared with magic as she whirled around, ready to attack.
Sitting on a pedestal was Echo Echo.
Ben: "Hello there."
Startled, she blasted him into dust without a second thought.
Her eyes widened, a flash of regret crossing her face as she inspected the remaining dust for any sign of life.
Ben: "No worries, I'm okay. I always keep a spare." He pointed at himself with hi thumb.
The Mage jumped slightly, startled again as another Echo Echo materialized behind her.
Ben: "Sorry about that."
She said nothing, still eyeing him warily.
Ben: "I'm Ben Tennyson—you've probably heard of me." He extended his hand in a formal gesture, eyes closed in a friendly manner. "Nice to meet a fellow crime fighter. I was wondering—" He opened his eyes only to see her already walking away, now examining a glass casing containing an artifact.
Ben: "Right..." He muttered, following after her.
The Mage: "Hm... No, this isn't it." She muttered to herself, continuing her inspection.
Ben: "So, uh... what are you looking for? Cause it's kinda weird that you come in, roundhouse a few guys, then start snooping about y'know."
The Mage glanced down at the Sonorosian's cheerful smile but remained unmoved.
The Mage: "I am busy, Tennyson." Her voice was flat and dismissive as she walked further down the room.
Ben watched her curiously, feeling a strange sense of familiarity. Something about her tugged at his memory. Her voice, mixed with the way she just swatted him off, it was like they had already been aquatinted before.
Ben: "Do we know each other? Have we met before? My memory's not the best, y'know." No response. Undeterred, he kept following her. "Hey, come on, I'm talking to you."
She ignored him, her focus fixed on something else.
The Mage: "There you are." Her eyes gleamed as they landed on a glass case containing a simple wooden staff. "That's exactly what I was looking for."
Ben stopped beside her, staring at the object.
Ben: "That's just a stick," he said, unimpressed.
The Mage wiped dust off the plaque beneath the case, revealing the words: The Staff of Bezel.
Ben: "Ah." He scratched the back of his head, now understanding. "So you're not a vigilante—you're a thief, stealing from other thieves."
The Mage: "Don't you have a mob boss to catch, hero?" she shot back coolly.
Before she could react, she heard a click. She looked down to see a handcuff binding her wrist to Ben's. Their arms were now linked.
Ben: "Actually, no," he said smugly, striking a confident pose. "I'm here to bring you in."
The Mage stared at him, her expression unreadable.
Storage Facility - Storage Halls - Interior
Suddenly, a deafening crash echoed through the halls as a massive rupture tore a hole in the wall, leading to the refinery. Echo Echo's tiny body was hurled through the opening, slamming into the opposite wall with a thud. He sat there, dazed, as concrete and dust rained down on him. Glancing at his arm, he saw the broken remains of the handcuff dangling from his wrist.
Ben: "Yeah..." He coughed. "I like her style," he muttered, grinning painfully despite the hit.
Storage Facility - Main Corridor - Interior
A crate transport vehicle barreled through the endless swarm of Echo Echos, its tires screeching as it mowed them down. Two criminals fired desperately at the duplicates, while the driver gripped the wheel in panic.
Suddenly, Kevin leapt from the shadows, landing on the vehicle. He delivered a brutal uppercut to one of the crooks but was immediately struck in the ribs by the second, who pulled him into a chokehold. Kevin struggled against his attacker, the pressure tightening around his neck.
Meanwhile, countless Echo Echos began climbing the vehicle like a wave of ants, swarming the driver. The criminal screamed in terror as the Sonorosians overtook the craft. Kevin, still locked in a struggle, slammed his forehead into his assailant, knocking him against the floor of the vehicle and breaking free. With a quick roll, Kevin flung himself off the speeding transport, crashing into a stack of crates.
The crook, dazed but conscious, clambered to his feet just in time to see the vehicle careening straight towards the base of the watchtower. His eyes widened in terror.
BOOM!
The transport exploded on impact, sending debris and Echo Echos flying in all directions. The base of the watchtower cracked under the blast.
Kevin, still shaking off the impact from the crates, looked up to see the watchtower slowly tipping in his direction. "Run!" some Echo Echos yelled as they scattered.
Kevin sprinted as the watchtower groaned and cracked, its toppling structure sending crooks tumbling from the railings. The tower fell with a deafening crash, slamming into the ground in a chaotic mess of steel and concrete.
For a moment, all was still.
Then, from beneath the rubble, Kevin emerged, his skin hardened from absorbing the concrete. He coughed and looked around. "Ben!" he roared, his voice echoing across the wreckage. "I needed intel from their mainframe!"
A few Echo Echos crawled out from the debris, disoriented but intact. Some were immediately thrown aside by a sudden metallic force.
A large, armored limb emerged from the rubble, followed by another. With a screech of grinding metal, an imposing iron suit pulled itself free from the wreckage, towering over Kevin and the surviving Echo Echos.
Kevin's eyes narrowed as the hulking figure stood tall, casting a massive shadow over them.
A distorted voice crackled to life from the mech's voice box after its dramatic entrance. "This thing on?" The towering machine awkwardly posed like an old man fumbling with a microphone. "Hello?"
One of the hundred Echo Echo's casually gave a thumbs-up. "Yeah, you're good."
Mr. Beck, inside the mech, straightened up. "Ben Tennyson!" he shouted with intensity.
"Yes," Ben replied nonchalantly.
Silence followed. The tension hung in the air.
"Ben Tennyson!" Beck repeated, this time with more fervor.
"Yes?" Ben echoed, confused. The Echo Echos glanced at each other in bewilderment.
The mech stood awkwardly still for a moment. Beck seemed to fidget inside the cockpit, then, with an exaggerated shrug like an old man, he sighed. "Why can't I hear you?"
Ben blinked. "What? Oh! Dude, your receiver's off!"
The Echo Echos chimed in, "Yeah, turn it on!" — "That's embarrassing!"
Mr. Beck muttered to himself, fumbling with controls. "There we go, my receiver was off..." He then cleared his throat and stood tall again. "Ben Tennyson!" he roared with newfound rage.
Kevin facepalmed from the sidelines.
"I've been preparing for this moment for a long time!" Beck declared, his voice filled with dramatic flair.
Ben, unfazed, muttered to himself, "Why do they always say that?" One of the Echo Echos shrugged beside him.
"I've avoided your meddling for years, and I'll continue to do so until my last breath. If you think I'm going down without a fight, you're mistaken." The mech's metallic fists clenched with a resounding crunch. "Hope you're ready for round two!"
Kevin shot a glance at Ben.
Ben smirked, his confidence growing. "Let's get ready to rumble!" he shouted in mock enthusiasm, mimicking a wrestling announcer.
On cue, the Echo Echos stormed toward the mech in a wave, scrambling up the massive frame like ants swarming a giant. Mr. Beck responded by slamming the ground with the mech's massive arms, sending echoes flying. His long mechanical limbs swept across the floor, tearing through more duplicates in his path.
Beck activated three automated turrets from the mech's shoulders. They swiveled into action, unleashing a relentless barrage that cut down the Echo Echos in waves.
Meanwhile, Kevin, having absorbed nearby steel, deflected the incoming shots with his hardened skin. He spotted a piece of metallic plating and lifted it, using it as an improvised shield against the turret fire. Taking cover behind the debris, Kevin pulled out his Plumber Rifle, ready to take down Beck's towering machine.
Firing off a few well-placed shots. One turret sparked, smoking as it was taken down. Meanwhile, the swarm of Echo Echos closed in on the mech. Some climbed up its towering frame, disabling the remaining turrets as they went.
Beck, overwhelmed inside his suit, scrambled to regain control. "Come on, come on!" he muttered, slamming buttons and fumbling through options on the interface. Finally, he found the button he needed—a desperate gamble. He slammed it.
An electromagnetic pulse rippled out from the mech, sending a shockwave that stunned everything and everyone nearby. The Echo Echos fell still, momentarily paralyzed. Kevin, caught mid-charge, stumbled forward, briefly disoriented.
Taking advantage of the suit's over-clocked systems, Beck regained control. Kevin, shaking off the stun, made another attempt to bash the mech, but the armor was too durable.
"Work, you outdated bucket of bolts!" Beck shouted in frustration, slamming the controls. The interface flickered, then rebooted with a surge of power.
Kevin lunged again, aiming for the mech's head, but Beck's suit reacted faster. A giant metallic hand grabbed Kevin mid-air, lifting him up effortlessly to eye level. Kevin struggled, gritting his teeth against the crushing grip.
"Ben!" Kevin shouted, his voice strained. "What are you doing?! Turn into something else and take this guy down already!"
Ben, still split into multiple Echo Echos, glanced up at him. "Half of me is kinda busy!" he called back, exasperated.
Undertown - Refinery Facility - Interior
Far below in the dark, industrial corridors of Undertown, a few Echo Echos scrambled to evade a beam of crackling mana. The Mage, an imposing figure wrapped in robes, strode forward with purpose, disintegrating them one by one.
"Ben Tennyson!" her voice echoed through the refinery, cold and commanding. "Give me back the Staff of Bezel! Right. This. Instant!"
Nearby, hidden behind a stack of crates, an Echo Echo trembled, clutching the ancient staff tightly as he hid from the Mage's wrath.
Storage Facility - Main Corridor - Interior
Back at the storage facility, Kevin, still trapped in the mech's grasp, grit his teeth and fumbled for his pistol. With a precise shot, he hit one of the connectors at the base of the mech's neck. The suit jerked and sparked, short-circuiting for a brief moment. The grip loosened, and Kevin dropped to the ground, gasping for air as he scrambled for cover.
"What is this thing made of?!" he growled, ducking behind some crates. As if things couldn't get worse, gunfire erupted from the far end of the corridor—Beck's goons had come out of hiding. Kevin groaned in frustration. "How loyal can these guys be?!"
He returned fire, taking down two of them as the Echo Echos began to recover from the EMP blast. They regrouped, forming up around the towering mech.
Beck's mech recalibrated itself, arming with even more firepower. The ground trembled as it took heavy steps forward, only to realize it was now completely surrounded by Sonorosians.
Ben's voice rang out. "Wall!"
Kevin heard the warning and didn't hesitate. "Of!" He sprinted toward cover, dodging gunfire from Beck's goons as he hid behind a towering storage shelf.
"Sound!" Ben's final command echoed.
Every Echo Echo unleashed their signature supersonic scream, a piercing wave of ultra-frequency sound that ripped through the air with immense force. The high-pitched screech overwhelmed Beck's goons, who fell to the ground, clutching their ears in agony.
Beck's mech stumbled under the relentless sonic assault, its systems groaning under the strain. The metal began to creak, and small cracks appeared in the mech's armor as the sound intensified.
Kevin, still behind cover, smirked. "Let's see you handle that."
The mech-suit began to fail, collapsing under the relentless assault. Lights flickered erratically, and sparks erupted from the interior. Inside, Beck struggled to maintain control. Desperate, he activated a random defensive measure, causing the arms to expel flames that incinerated the Echo Echoes, effectively nullifying their attack.
Emerging from his hiding spot, Kevin spotted a strand of fire racing toward the spice crates. His eyes widened in alarm as he sprinted forward, switching his Plumber Rifle to extinguisher mode. He aimed and began dousing the flames with urgency.
Meanwhile, the mech began to repair itself, employing a magnetic contraption to realign its components.
The remaining Echo Echoes rose, unnerved by their opponent's alarming capabilities. "This complicates things," one muttered to himself.
"Do you like the suit, Tennyson?" Mr. Beck taunted. "I ensured it could withstand most of your so-called 'ten thousand transformations. An expensive Techadonian courtesy..." He chuckled devilishly. "Here you are again, fighting me with your army of noisy little pests, how nostalgic."
"Oh, what, this? I was just stalling for a regroup," Ben shot back, unfazed.
Beck's mech tilted its head in confusion, emitting a metallic snap.
Suddenly, an explosion of mana shattered the facility's wall. The Mage floated into view, gripping the Staff of Bezel, while fending off a swarm of Echo Echoes clinging to her.
"Let go of the staff, Tennyson!" she yelled. "Aeris concussa!" She unleashed a spell that sent the Echo Echoes sprawling.
Beck's gaze shifted to the sorceress, realizing she was pilfering from him. "Hey! You're stealing from my collection! Nosy witch!"
The remaining Echo Echoes regrouped as Ben transformed back to his original form. He glanced over to see Kevin still battling the encroaching flames, desperately trying to prevent an explosion.
"Who are you calling nosy, dust sniffer?" the Mage retorted, clearly offended.
In response, Mr. Beck's mech lifted its arm, firing a repulsor beam from its metallic hand. The Mage countered with a destructive magical beam from her staff. When their energies collided, they ricocheted wildly, hurtling straight toward the spice crates.
The energy beam struck the spice.
Kevin: "And… we're dead."
A blinding flash ensued.
The entire facility disintegrated into oblivion from the chaotic explosion.
Everything—reduced to atoms—was incinerated. No survivors. The shockwave expanded outward, tearing through Undertown, its force carving a mushroom cloud that stretched to the very ceiling of the bedrock above. Dust and debris scattered, the remnants of a zone obliterated.
Then, abruptly, all noise ceased.
Everything stopped.
Time itself froze.
And then, it all began to reverse. The debris, the mushroom cloud, the explosion—everything rewound. The obliteration unraveled as events flowed backward, collapsing into a single, focused point.
The energy of the explosion, its blinding light, compressed into the palm of a hand, a hand devoid of form or definition. The light, and everything it consumed, vanished into the black void contained within the palm, its stardust-coated skin flickering ominously. The hand clenched into a fist.
Eyes slowly regenerated onto a skull. A blink.
Kevin recoiled, an unsettling fear and confusion gripping him. "Major déjà vu..." he muttered, scanning his surroundings, unsure why he felt so disturbed.
Mr. Beck's mech-arm raised once more, firing a repulsor beam. The Mage countered with a blast of destructive magic from her staff. This time, the beams narrowly missed each other by inches, causing no damage.
—ARMADRILLO—
Ben: "It's hero time!" He charged straight at the mech.
Ben, Kevin, and the Mage launched a coordinated attack on Mr. Beck.
The Mage conjured tendrils of mana, wrapping around the stomping mech-suit, momentarily halting its movement.
With a grunt of effort, Armadrillo tore a chunk of steel-plated shielding from the suit's chest.
Kevin seized the opportunity and fired at the exposed area.
The mech broke free, igniting its flamethrower, unleashing a torrent of flames towards them.
The Mage: "Convertat ad vaporetur!" she chanted, and the flames dissolved into harmless mist.
Beck retaliated, striking the Mage, sending her sprawling to the ground. Ben quickly caught her, but she jumped from his arms without gratitude.
—SPITTER—
Ben transformed again, this time into Spitter, launching a barrage of toxic fluid at the mech's head, blinding its sensors. The mech staggered, its footing lost in the goo, and crashed forward with a heavy thud.
—CRASHHOPPER—
In a flash, Ben shifted forms once more, becoming Crashhopper. He grabbed both Kevin and the Mage, leaping to safety just as the mech slammed into the ground where they had stood.
The trio landed atop the robot's back, but the Mage wasted no time, springing out of Ben's grasp once more.
The Mage: "I am not a damsel in distress, Tennyson," she snapped, brushing herself off.
Ben: "What's your problem, lady?" His frustration was starting to show.
Kevin: "And what about me? Do I make the cut?" Kevin quipped, trying to lighten the moment.
Ben: "You're the ugliest damsel I've ever seen."
Before they could react further, the mech began to tremble beneath them.
Mr. Beck: "I've had enough of this!"
The propulsion systems in the mech's legs activated. In seconds, the trio were blasted off along with the suit, rocketing into the distance.
—UPGRADE—
Ben: "What the—?"
Ben attempted to merge with the suit as Upgrade, but something was wrong. The suit resisted his powers, leaving him confused. But there was no time to figure out why.
—GREYMATTER—
Thinking fast in his Galvan form, he quickly found a way into the mech's inner workings, through one of the few remaining gaps.
Bellwood Undertown – Storage Facility – Exterior
The oversized mech crashed through the walls of the facility, sending Kevin and the Mage tumbling as they hit the ground hard, now outside.
The mech rose up, quickly firing laser blasts at the duo.
They dodged and sprinted in opposite directions, splitting up.
Kevin: "Can't you just turn this thing into flowers or something?!" He shouted desperately.
The Mage: "Would you like a balloon animal with that too?!" she retorted, firing beams of mana at the machine, using the stolen staff.
Kevin: "I'll take that as a no!" he shouted, just before being knocked off his feet by a blast.
Kevin hit the ground hard, wincing as he looked up to see Beck's mech readying one final, deadly shot to end him.
Inside the cockpit, Beck laughed maniacally and fired.
But before the shot could reach Kevin, a protective shield materialized around him—courtesy of the Mage. She swiftly dragged him to safety.
Kevin: "You're almost making me feel bad about having to arrest you," he called out.
The Mage shot him a sharp look, unimpressed.
Beck's laughter echoed through the cockpit, but abruptly stopped when he spotted Grey Matter, standing calmly on his control panel.
"How the hell did you-!"
—CANNONBOLT—
The head of the mech suddenly exploded. The force of the blast separated the head from the body as the mechanical giant toppled over, lifeless.
Cannonbolt, in his massive sphere form, landed gracefully on the ground beside the fallen mech. As he unfolded, Mr. Beck slid off his inner shielding, laying unconscious on the ground.
Ben: "Tough exterior, soft interior." He stated, transforming back to normal afterwards.
Kevin: "All things considered... good job." He slapped the handcuffs on Beck, securing him.
Ben: "Job's not over yet..." He nodded towards their odd ally, the Mage, who was approaching.
The three stood in awkward silence for a moment.
Kevin: "You know I have my orders to detain you," he said, turning to the Mage.
Ben glanced between Kevin and the sorceress.
The Mage: "Will you, though?" she asked with arrogant calm.
Kevin remained silent for a moment before replying, "Not tonight."
A small smile formed beneath the Mage's mask.
Kevin: "Get out of here."
Ben: "Wait!" Ben called out, perhaps a bit too loudly.
The Mage turned, slightly alarmed, so did Kevin.
A pause ensued.
Ben: "Can I have your number?" he asked, rather casually.
The Mage burst into laughter, her mirth echoing through the smoky air.
Ben and Kevin exchanged glances—Kevin offering a weak, embarrassed smile.
The Mage had to catch her breath before regaining her composure.
The Mage: "I'll see you around, Tennyson." She winked and tossed a smoke bomb, filling the air with a purplish mist.
In the blink of an eye, she was gone.
Ben: "That was pretty wizard."
Kevin: "You need a better approach, Ben."
Ben: "Hey, at least she didn't say no."
Kevin: "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Now turn into Upgrade and go salvage this guy's mainframe. Plumber's will be here any second." Kevin grunted as he hauled Beck over his shoulder.
Ben: "Why do I always have to do the heavy lifting?" he grumbled.
Kevin: "Because you're the one that blew up the Tower!" Kevin shot back.
Ben: "Fine, fine..." Ben folded his arms behind his head, walking beside Kevin as they headed back toward the storage facility, where flames consumed the wrecked mech.
Ben: "Can we get smoothies after this?"
Kevin sighed, rolling his eyes. "Never change, Ben. Never change."
—END CARD—
"You know you could've turned into Lodestar and called it a day, right?"
...
"Shut up, Kevin."