The tension in the room was thick as the Magister leveled his accusations.

"No way!" Ben exclaimed, his green eyes wide.

"Under arrest?" Kuri echoed, her tone incredulous.

"For what?" Reiko demanded, crossing her arms.

"For unauthorized vesselization," the Magister replied, his gaze stern. He turned his attention to Ben. "And theft."

"Who are you calling a vessel?" Reiko snapped, her golden-green eyes flashing in irritation.

"Reiko, don't," Kuri interjected, her voice calm but firm. Her own eyes flashed silver as she stepped forward. "He's a Plumber. Aren't you, sir?" She tilted her head toward him. "The Omnitrix belongs to Ben. He's Ben Tennyson."

The Magister's expression shifted. "Wait. The Ben Tennyson? The legendary hero? I lost track of your grandfather years ago. And you two…" He turned his gaze to Kuri and Reiko, his expression softening. "You're not—are you part of the Hikawa clan?"

Reiko stood tall, her tone sharp. "Yeah, we are. Reiko and Kuri Hikawa."

The Magister's eyes lingered on Kuri. "You look just like Kaori when she was younger."

Kuri blinked, her jaw dropping slightly. Did her Grams have a thing with everybody—alien and human alike?

Xxx

"This can't be good," Kuri muttered as Ben pulled her protectively to his side. She glanced up at him, her silver eyes narrowing slightly. Was he jealous that fish-face had just complimented her?

Reiko interrupted the moment, pointing toward the group below. "We've got company. Those aren't humans the Forever Knights are trading with."

Kuri's gaze sharpened. "Those are DNAliens."

Kevin was already down there, blending into the shadows of the transaction.

"Aw, your old crush!" Ben teased, grinning at Reiko.

"One more word, Tennyson," Reiko said, her eyes glowing gold, "and you'll wake up in a swimming pool full of cherry jello again."

Before Ben could respond, Reiko vaulted over the ledge, landing gracefully in the middle of the chaos. She extended her right hand, her fingers forming a ritual gesture, and summoned the Naginata of Kenkon. The polearm materialized in her grasp, glowing faintly with energy.

"Fulminus!" she shouted, raising the weapon high. Lightning crackled down from the sky, blasting several enemies in one strike.

"It's hero time!" Ben said, slamming down the Omnitrix.

But the device didn't respond.

Kuri leapt into the fray, summoning her own weapon in the same ritualistic gesture. "Hiko!" she shouted, unleashing a whirlwind that sent DNAliens scattering.

Finally, the Omnitrix transformed, allowing Ben to become Swampfire. His vine-like limbs stretched as he faced the onslaught. "Guys, stay behind me—I'm bulletproof!"

Reiko and Kuri flanked him, their weapons ready, their breaths coming hard.

"Hey, Tennyson," a familiar voice called out. Kevin stepped into view, smirking despite the chaos around them. "At least you keep good company these days. Nice to see you, Reiko."

Reiko's eyes narrowed, her grip on her weapon tightening. "Is that all you have to say? After getting your stupid self trapped in the Null Void the same day we were supposed to have our date?"

Kevin opened his mouth, but Reiko didn't wait.

"FULMINUS!" she yelled, blasting him unconscious with a bolt of energy before he could absorb anything.

Xxx

When the battle was over and the DNAliens subdued, Reiko found herself sitting next to Kevin, who was groggily coming to. The others were off securing the area, leaving the two of them alone.

Reiko didn't waste time. "I can't believe I was such an idiot," she began, her voice low but laced with frustration. "I waited for you. On that park bench. For an hour."

Kevin groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Rei, I was going to go. I swear."

"But you didn't." Her voice cracked slightly, but her golden-green eyes stayed sharp. "Ben came and told me what happened, how you ended up in the Null Void. And you know what? I still waited. I still hoped."

Kevin sat up straighter, the guilt plain on his face. "I didn't want to stand you up. I mean it. C'mon, Reiko…"

"You made me cry," she interrupted, her tone soft but heavy with emotion.

Kevin froze, his usual bravado faltering. "Rei, I'll make it up to you. I swear. Just tell me how."

Reiko crossed her arms, her gaze unwavering. "Help us track down the Forever Knights. Clean up your act. And maybe—maybe—we can talk about that date again."

Kevin blinked, a small smirk creeping back onto his face. "Deal."

From around the corner, Ben peeked in. "Convinced him?"

Kevin glanced at Reiko, raising an eyebrow. "She tricked me."

"She does that," Kuri said with a laugh as she joined them.

Xxx

As the group regrouped in Kevin's car, the bickering began again.

"So after all that, he still gets to drive?" Kuri complained, crossing her arms.

"I agree," the Magister chimed in from the backseat. "I should drive."

"Nobody drives this car but me," Kevin said, gripping the wheel tightly.

"The Omnitrix sure looks cool, Ben," Kuri said, changing the subject. "So, no DNAliens in there, huh?"

"Remind me again how you know what they're called?" Kevin asked, his tone skeptical.

"Oh, that's right," Reiko said, leaning back in her seat. "It never came up when we were kids. Kuri has the Sight. She's what you guys would call psychic. And I have the power of projection."

Kevin's eyebrows shot up. "What?"

"I used to call them witches," Ben added, grinning. "Kuri knows things, and Reiko can change things."

"Riiight," Kevin said, making a mental note to never cross Reiko again. "Well, here we are."

Xxx

As they approached the door to the Forever Knights' hideout, Ben looked back at the sisters. "Why don't you guys use your weapons to bust it down?"

The Magister shook his head. "Those weapons require immense soul energy. They're not toys."

"He's right," Kuri said, glancing at Ben. "It's like the Omnitrix—we can't just use them nonstop. But as for the door…" She outstretched her hand, and the door unlatched with a soft click.

"Telekinesis?" Reiko asked, her tone warning. "Mana's gonna kill you."

"What she doesn't know won't hurt her," Kuri replied with a smirk, striding inside.

"Mana?" Kevin asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Creepy telekinetic chick," Ben explained. "Don't ask."

"Cool," Kevin said, smirking. "I approve."

"Great," Kuri muttered. "The criminal approves."

Reiko rolled her eyes. "And do you have to plunder the castle, Kevin? What are you, a pirate?"

Kevin grinned. "Why? Are you into that?"

Before Reiko could respond, Ben whispered, "You guys, quiet!"

"Why?" Kuri asked, her tone skeptical.

Before anyone could answer, a dragon's roar echoed through the hideout, shaking the walls.

The group turned, their eyes widening as a massive creature emerged from the shadows.

"Guess we're not done yet," Reiko muttered, gripping her Naginata tighter.

"Let's finish this," Kevin said, a grin spreading across his face.

And just like that, the battle began anew.