In the vast and silent depths of outer space, an ocean of stars and unknown planets surrounded a solitary military base. But that cosmic calm was brutally interrupted. Explosions echoed in the distance, and inside the base, only desperate screams could be heard, mixed with the echo of urgent orders. The Plumbers, the intergalactic police force tasked with maintaining peace in the universe, were fighting for their lives as they defended the base from an imminent invasion. Their mission was to protect the latest creation of the universe's Great Thinker, an artifact capable of shifting the balance of power to catastrophic levels. That artifact, known as the Omnitrix, must not fall into the wrong hands—especially those of Vilgax, the ruthless conqueror.
Vilgax, the tyrant of the planet Sui Generis, advanced relentlessly. His grayish skin and red eyes, glowing like embers, flashed with immeasurable hatred. Each of his steps made the base's corridors tremble, and every roar from him froze the blood of the remaining survivors. By his side, an army of Xenocites parasites, grotesque and enslaved creatures from his planet, destroyed everything in their path. They were like an endless tide of death, tearing down security systems, breaching defenses, and reducing the Plumbers to nothing but corpses in their wake.
The Plumbers knew the Omnitrix was more than just an artifact; in the right hands, it could be a tool for peace. In the wrong ones, it would be the ultimate weapon to unleash chaos. And Vilgax knew this very well. His imposing presence dominated the battlefield, slaughtering anyone who tried to halt his advance. His strength was devastating; the Plumbers fell like leaves caught in a storm. Shattered, reduced to rubble, with no chance of facing the relentless fury of the conqueror.
"Where is it?!" - Vilgax roared, his voice booming like thunder in the smoking remains of the base. The soldiers who could still move retreated, terrified. Nothing could stop that monster. In a swift and ruthless movement, he captured a Kinneceleran Plumber, her superhuman speed insignificant against the claw that now held her. He lifted her as if she weighed nothing, his red eyes flashing with rage.
"Where did you hide my Omnitrix?!" - he bellowed, each word dripping with palpable fury.
The Plumber could barely breathe, her body trembling in a futile attempt to free herself. But in her mind, she knew the answer could never reach Vilgax's ears. Because if the Omnitrix fell into his hands, the entire universe would burn under his yoke.
With difficulty, the Plumber gasped her response. - "As if I'd tell… a traitor." - she whispered. Her last glance was at Vilgax's furious eyes, gleaming with a sinister crimson glow. A beam of energy shot from them, directly into her face. The impact was instant; her head exploded in a cloud of blood and fragments.
"All your efforts are useless!" - Vilgax roared, tossing the lifeless body aside like garbage. Without pausing, he launched another assault. The crimson beams from his eyes obliterated any obstacle, scorching steel and flesh alike. - "The Omnitrix will be mine!"
A group of Plumbers, armed with plasma cannons, entrenched themselves in his path, wielding the station's most powerful weapons. Without hesitation, they fired. Potent bursts of blue energy crackled through the air, but only struck the yellow force field that Vilgax projected with his left arm. Not a scratch.
He advanced unstoppably, trampling the Plumbers as if they were no more than insects. The horde of Xenocites followed, descending on the fallen soldiers, tearing flesh and dismembering bodies in an orgy of blood and destruction. The air filled with screams of agony, mingling with the hiss of weapons and the crunch of broken bones.
Through the chaos, Vilgax reached the central chamber. There, Xylene, The young plumber newbie, held a glowing capsule. Inside, the coveted Omnitrix, the object that could seal the universe's fate.
Noticing the conqueror's presence, Xylene and her escort tensed. - "Run, Xylene!" - shouted the colonel, a dark green-skinned alien with a white mustache. His voice was a mix of desperation and command. - "We'll hold him off! Don't waste any more time! Go!"
Without waiting for a response, he pushed Xylene toward the exit. The sound of explosions and Vilgax's roars grew closer, but Xylene knew the fate of the Omnitrix depended on her escape. And Vilgax's barely contained fury was about to be fully unleashed.
The Plumbers and security droids stormed into the chaos, their arrival marked by the metallic echo of their boots and the hum of charged weapons. But these weren't the simple soldiers Vilgax had dispatched earlier. Their suits gleamed with advanced technology, covered in thicker armor and equipped with powerful plasma weapons. They belonged to a special unit, trained to face cosmic-level threats. Their movements were precise, calculated, as they organized in formation around the towering alien. Blue plasma shots crackled in the air, bouncing off Vilgax's protective shield, who responded with overwhelming fury. Every blow from his energy-enveloped arms ripped through the air, shaking the base's walls. The ground beneath his feet cracked as he advanced, unstoppable, cutting through the Plumbers as if they were insects before his unleashed rage.
The security droids unleashed electric shocks and laser bursts from their mechanized arms, coordinating their attacks with the Plumbers to try to contain Vilgax. The air filled with sparks and smoke, while the smell of burnt metal and blood saturated the atmosphere. However, Vilgax moved with unfathomable dexterity and power, his eyes burning with pure hatred as he destroyed his enemies without mercy. The shots that managed to hit him dissipated against his tough skin and energy shields, like raindrops on an unyielding rock. A Plumber tried to leap at him with an energy sword, but Vilgax caught him by the neck with terrifying speed, smashing him against the ground before throwing his body into a wall. His roars echoed throughout the base as he continued to annihilate anything in his path.
Elsewhere in the base, Xylene ran with the capsule clutched tightly to her chest, her breathing quick as the sound of battle roared in her ears. Her feet pounded the floor in haste, her mind consumed by a single mission: protect the Omnitrix at all costs. As she raced through the increasingly empty corridors, the halls seemed to stretch, as if time itself was slowing in the panic that gripped her. She finally reached the ship hangar, her eyes scanning the area for the right ship to escape. The hangar was dark, illuminated only by emergency lights flickering from the damage to the base. Ships were lined up along the hall, but the choice was difficult; there was no time to calculate the best route—only to escape.
With her heart pounding in her ears, Xylene boarded a ship and quickly initiated the takeoff systems. The ship's lights flickered, and the engines roared, ready to free her from the horror that raged behind her. The hangar slowly began to open, revealing the vast emptiness of outer space. The roar of metal as the doors opened contrasted with the calm offered by the space beyond, a calm Xylene longed to reach. With no set course but guided by instinct, she began to leave the base, leaving behind chaos and destruction. Around her, space unfolded infinitely, full of stars that seemed to shine indifferent to the fate of the beings fighting to the death.
In her mind, a single thought guided her: to find a safe place, a refuge where the Omnitrix could not fall into the wrong hands. Among all the possibilities, a remote planet crossed her mind, a place far from intergalactic wars, but with a reputation that resonated among the Plumbers. A planet that, though small, was home to a legendary defender. Although she wasn't sure if she would make it or if Vilgax would follow, she knew it was her best option. She set the ship's course toward that distant point, leaving behind the echoes of destruction as the universe's fate hung by a thread.
Her destination was fixed on a place where one of the most legendary defenders lived: Earth.
…
Bellwood School, Year 20XX
A young boy with brown hair struggled to stay awake as the teacher droned on, reading from the history book in his hand. History class had never been his favorite, and now the weight of fatigue was starting to overtake him. His right hand, lazily propped up against his cheek, began to slip as his eyelids drooped lower and lower. The distant murmur of the teacher's voice faded in his mind, turning into a blurry echo that he could no longer grasp.
His emerald eyes fluttered open and shut in slow blinks until he finally gave in, letting exhaustion claim him. He fell into the inevitable embrace of sleep. In his mind, images from his childhood began to unfold like a carousel of memories. He saw himself much younger, carefree, with a wide smile on his face as he chased a soccer ball in the park. His father was there, always with a fantastic story to tell. Tales of creatures from the stars and civilizations beyond what the human eye could see filled their afternoons.
"It might all seem like fantasy now…" - he remembered his father's words echoing clearly in his mind. - "but I promise you, son, one day you'll see them. All those benevolent creatures and those hidden civilizations among the stars. I know it, Benji. I know it."
Those words had filled him with childlike wonder, a mix of curiosity and hope, which now, years later, came rushing back with a wave of nostalgia. In his dream, he relived the last night they spent together, lying under the starry sky in silence, as if waiting for something beyond the known to answer their gaze. But the memories, like the stars in the sky, began to fade, blurring in his mind.
Suddenly, a loud noise jerked him out of his dream. The bell signaling the end of class rang through the room, and Benjamin's eyes snapped open. He straightened up in his seat, trying to shake off his drowsiness as his classmates burst into excitement, quickly gathering their things in eager haste. It didn't take long before most of them had already left the room, their excited voices filling the hallways.
As Benjamin tried to fully wake up, he heard the teacher addressing the departing class. - "Don't forget about summer classes, guys. Though some of you will have a much longer break." - Ben grinned, knowing he was one of the lucky ones. He had passed all his subjects, though not without effort.
"With a little help, but I made it." - he thought to himself. And now, at last, he had free time. Time to think, to dream. Maybe even to look up at the stars again and remember his father's promises.
The brown-haired boy grabbed his backpack, ready to leave, when a feminine figure stepped in front of him. Looking up, his eyes met those of a girl with delicate features and smooth skin, clearly of Asian descent. Her long, black hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing her face with a smile that seemed to light up the entire room. - "Was it a good dream?" - she asked playfully, a spark of humor in her eyes. To Ben, she wasn't just beautiful; there was something about her presence that seemed to wrap her in an almost captivating aura, a light that left him speechless for a moment.
Trying to hide the sudden nervousness running through his body, Ben cleared his throat and murmured. - "Eh, Jules? Did you see me sleeping? Did I really fall asleep?"- The girl's smile widened, and she nodded repeatedly, her exaggerated but adorable gestures showing she was enjoying Ben's confusion. He quickly stood up, slinging his backpack over his shoulder as he tried to regain some of his composure. - "No way," he said with an awkward grin. "I was totally paying attention to everything the teacher said… until the very end." - His words were, of course, far from convincing, and Jules couldn't help but let out a small laugh before walking beside him toward the exit.
As they walked down the hallway together, the girl glanced at him with a mischievous smile. - "Sure, sure… if you say so." The teasing tone in her voice was impossible to miss. "So, what are you doing this summer?" - she asked, a mix of genuine curiosity and light indifference in her voice, as she casually leaned against Ben's locker, waiting for his response.
"I'm going on a road trip with my grandpa across the country." - he replied, taking a few things out of his locker and leaving it empty. - "I have no idea how we're going to do it or where we're going, but that's the plan." - He shut the locker door, and for a brief moment, his eyes met Jules. The hallway light seemed to reflect off her dark hair, giving it a special glow. - "And you? Got any plans?" - he added, his voice calmer now that the initial nervousness had passed.
"Ahmm… nothing as exciting as a road trip," - she said with a relaxed smile. - "I'll be in basketball practice and helping my mom at the vet clinic. So, I'll be staying here in Bellwood, but I'll be pretty busy." - As she spoke, her words carried an air of normalcy that contrasted with the whirlwind of emotions Ben felt. He couldn't help but think about how their worlds, though different, subtly intertwined in these simple moments.
The echo of a loud thud resonated down the hallway, making both Ben and Julie turn their heads in unison. The sound came from a corner where a group of students had gathered around the lockers. Curious, they both moved closer, weaving through the crowd to see what was happening. The tension in the air was palpable.
"Since it's the last day of school, I'm just gonna take your money. I'm guessing you brought some, right?" - The shrill, arrogant voice of the bully known as Cash rose above the murmurs of the crowd. In front of him, a younger boy with brown skin was cornered against the lockers. His face showed a mix of fear and resignation as his eyes avoided those of his aggressor.
Ben's expression changed instantly. He felt his blood boil, and without thinking twice, he pushed through the crowd. His green eyes glowed with fierce determination as he stood in front of Cash, shoving him hard. The impact was enough to knock the bully off balance, sending him stumbling to the floor, bewildered by Ben's sudden act of bravery.
"Leave him alone, Federico," - Ben said firmly, extending a hand to help the frightened boy. However, before he could finish the gesture, Cash got up furiously and threw a punch, pushing Ben against the lockers. The metallic sound echoed through the hallway, and for a moment, it felt as if the air had frozen.
"Stay out of this, Tennyson!" - Cash shouted, his face red with anger, expecting Ben to stay down. But what he didn't expect was Ben's quick reaction. Without hesitation, Ben stood up and punched Cash back with all his strength. His fist landed squarely on Cash's jaw, knocking him to the ground, unconscious, as the crowd stared in stunned silence.
Ben shook his hand in the air, the pain throbbing in his knuckles after the impact. "Damn it…" he muttered through gritted teeth, rubbing his fist as he walked away, leaving the bully unconscious on the floor. Julie followed him, casting one last amused glance at the scene before stepping out of the hallway with him.
Outside the school, the pain in Ben's hand intensified, and he let out a stifled yelp. - "Damn! It hurts like hell!" - he complained, shaking his hand in the air as he tried to ease the pain. Every pulse in his fist reminded him of the impact but also of the satisfaction of standing up for someone who needed it.
Julie looked at him with a mix of awe and amusement, a playful smile tugging at her lips. - "Honestly, I didn't think you'd do it. You had it bottled up for a while, huh?" she said, raising an eyebrow as she eyed him from the side. "You surprised me, Ben." - There was admiration in her voice, though she masked it with her usual playful tone.
"Wanna walk home?" - she asked, waiting for his answer as she adjusted her backpack on her shoulder. However, Ben shook his head, still massaging his sore hand. Despite the lingering pain, a part of him couldn't help but feel good about what he had done.
"My grandpa's on his way," - Ben said, his emerald eyes lighting up as he checked a message on his phone. - "We're going to my house to pick up my stuff, and then we're heading straight on the trip. Ah!" his face suddenly brightened with an idea. "I can ask him to give you a ride home. That way, you don't have to walk alone."
Julie looked at him with a warm smile, grateful for the offer, as Ben pulled out his phone again, noticing the notification indicating his grandpa's arrival. Just then, a large RV appeared at the end of the street. It wasn't just a van, but a huge, old but well-maintained camper, built for long trips and road adventures. Julie's face showed a hint of surprise as she saw it, wondering how long they'd be spending in it.
Ben wasted no time and ran toward the vehicle, waving enthusiastically at his grandpa. - "Hey, Grandpa!" - He said energetically, opening the RV door. - "Hey, do you think we could give Julie a ride home before we leave"
Max Tennyson, the imposing yet vigorous older man, looked up with a smile. His red Hawaiian shirt, adorned with orange flowers, fluttered slightly in the wind. His gray hair and well-kept beard gave him an air of wisdom and experience, but what stood out the most were his brown eyes, full of vitality. When he gazed at Julie, his face reflected surprise. "Wow!" Max said, clearly impressed. "Are you little Julieth Yamamoto? Look at you, you've changed so much!" he added with genuine admiration.
Julie, not used to receiving compliments, felt her cheeks warm with a blush. Nervously, she squeezed the straps of her backpack, trying to contain her embarrassment. She forced a small smile and, with a kind yet slightly hesitant tone, replied, "Th-thank you, Mr. Tennyson. It's been quite a while since we last saw each other."
Max, with his usual charisma, let out a soft laugh. "That's true, but I'm glad to see you doing so well, Julie. Hop in, I'll take you home on the way," he said, with a friendly gesture as he opened the back door of the RV.
Julie nodded shyly and climbed into the vehicle, feeling the familiar warmth emanating from Ben's grandfather. Despite her nervousness, the presence of both Tennysons gave her a sense of safety and comfort, as if being part of this little improvised trip was more than just a favor.
…
During the ride, Julie and Ben chatted animatedly about their vacation plans, sharing details beyond the usual small talk. Julie couldn't help but feel impressed by how Max Tennyson had meticulously organized every stage of their trip. The idea of traveling across the entire country in just a few months seemed like an exciting, almost surreal adventure. For a moment, Julie allowed herself to fantasize about joining them, although she knew her parents would never allow it so easily. With a resigned sigh, she settled for asking Ben to bring her unique souvenirs from each place they visited.
Between laughter and anecdotes, time flew by, and soon they arrived at Julie's house. Max, with his usual warmth, bid her goodbye from the RV, leaving her alone with his grandson at the front of the house. The atmosphere became quieter, laden with unspoken emotions. Since they were kids, they had been inseparable, but this trip would mark the first time they'd be apart for so long. Standing before Julie, Ben scratched the back of his neck nervously, a habit he'd had since childhood whenever he didn't know how to act.
"I'll come back to see you…" - Ben said with an uncertain smile. - "and I'll bring you all the souvenirs I can find."
Julie let out a soft laugh, her eyes sparkling in the evening light, and her smile, always captivating, seemed to brighten everything around her. She gave him a playful tap on the shoulder, never losing that flirty touch she was known for. - "You better, Ben. I'll be waiting." - she replied, looking at him intently. - "We've got each other's numbers, but it's not the same. I want you to tell me everything when you get back."
Ben nodded, slightly embarrassed, but he didn't break eye contact. The moment stretched out, neither of them wanting to make the first move to say goodbye. He found himself lost in her dark eyes, so deep and warm, as if time itself had stopped. Finally, he swallowed hard and, not knowing how to break the sweet yet awkward silence, murmured. - "Uh… I think you should head inside now."
Julie, with a nervous smile, rubbed her nose with her index finger before responding, her soft laugh filling the space between them. - "Yeah, you're right. And you should go with your grandpa. See you, Ben."
They looked at each other one last time, not knowing how to say goodbye properly. With an almost imperceptible hesitation, Julie leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, a simple gesture, yet loaded with meaning. Ben felt the warmth of her skin linger for a few seconds longer than usual, as if that kiss had left a mark. As she entered her house, Ben watched her close the door, and just before she disappeared, Julie stopped, looking back. Their eyes met once more, and Ben couldn't help but smile, silently bidding her farewell before turning back to the RV.
When he got inside, Max, from the driver's seat, looked at him through the rearview mirror with a mischievous grin. - "She's a really great girl, Ben." - he commented as he started the engine and began driving towards his grandson's house.
Ben, still feeling the warmth of the kiss on his cheek, smiled to himself and nodded, gazing out the window as the landscape of Bellwood slowly faded away.
…
Upon arriving home, Ben noticed something that surprised him: a red truck was parked right in front. He recognized it immediately. It was his aunt and uncle's car. It was odd to see them there since they rarely visited unless there was a special family gathering. Ben frowned, intrigued, and got out of the camper to head towards the door.
As he entered, he was met with an unexpected scene. Seated at the dining table were his aunt and uncle: a woman with intense red hair and bright blue eyes, always elegant with that air of superiority that characterized her, and next to her, her husband, a man with brown hair and brown eyes who seemed to be having a pleasant conversation with his sister-in-law.
His mother, as always, maintained perfect composure, a blonde woman with caramel-colored eyes. - "Ben, come say hello to your aunt and uncle," his mother said in a tone that mixed warmth with that little command that left no room for objections.
Ben approached, first greeting his mother, who gave him a calm smile, and then his aunt and uncle. In a polite but curious tone, he asked:
"What are you doing here? I thought you only came for important family gatherings."
Before his uncle could say anything, it was his aunt who spoke up, with that haughty voice that always made him roll his eyes.
"We came to make sure everything is in order with Max. You know, that trip across the country isn't something that can be taken lightly." - she said, emphasizing every word as if she were giving him a lesson. - "Besides, we brought your cousin. She's going to accompany you on this… little tour."
Just at that moment, a girl stepped out of the guest bathroom, and Ben barely recognized her at first. Almost orange-red hair, bright blue eyes, and an attitude that exuded confidence. What caught his attention the most was the almost punk style she had: an eyebrow piercing adorned with blue studs and a posture that radiated rebellion. This wasn't the Gwen he remembered.
"Hey, Doofus. Long time, huh?" - Gwen blurted out in a cheeky tone, placing her hands on her hips and smiling with a mix of mockery and superiority, clearly enjoying her cousin's reaction.
It took Ben a few seconds to snap out of his amazement. The shy and introverted Gwen he had known in the past was gone, replaced by someone much more confident and uninhibited. He couldn't help but smile at the challenge she presented.
"Yeah, almost a year, Dweeb." - he replied with a half-smile. - "I guess the trip with Grandpa will be the most boring thing ever if you're going to be there."
Gwen let out a small sarcastic laugh, raising an eyebrow as she crossed her arms. - "Don't worry, Benji. I'll make sure it's anything but boring... though I can't promise you'll like it."
Ben sighed as he glanced sideways at his cousin, who seemed to enjoy every second of her provocation. He knew Gwen had always been smart and somewhat competitive, but this new, bolder, and more confident version of her was definitely going to test his patience.
"Well, now that everyone's here…" - Ben's aunt intervened in her usual haughty tone, smoothing a strand of her fiery red hair - "We should make sure Max is ready for the trip. Not that I trust much in his… organization." - she added with a sarcastic smile, glancing at her father-in-law, Max, who had just walked in after parking the camper.
When Max entered the house with his usual jovial energy, the atmosphere instantly changed. His footsteps echoed on the wooden floor, and his burgundy Hawaiian shirt seemed to stand out among the neutral tones of the room. - "Relax, Natasha. I've got everything under control, as always. This isn't my first show. Glad we're all together now. I guess we can start the trip," he said with a wide smile, his eyes scanning each family member's face. - "How's it going, Cassandra? Good afternoon, Natasha. Frank, son, how have you been?"
Frank, who had been sitting on the couch, immediately stood up, showing a natural respect toward his father. - "Good, Dad. It's great to see you again." he said with a genuine smile, shaking Max's hand firmly. Time and distance hadn't eroded their bond, but the conversation felt a bit formal, almost as if both men were trying not to make the long time they had been apart too obvious. - "Take good care of Gwendolyn." - Frank added, with a slight protective tone that made it clear how much he cared about his daughter's well-being.
Max, with his characteristic calm smile, responded with the confidence of someone who had seen and faced all kinds of situations. - "You can count on it, I'd protect my grandchildren with my own life." - he said, his tone grave but reassuring. His gray eyes softened as they landed on Ben and Gwen, who were both standing in the corner of the room, each trying to avoid the spotlight, though in completely different ways.
Natasha, Ben's aunt, made a slight dismissive gesture with her hand, as if brushing off Max's response. - "We'll see, Max, we'll see. I don't want Gwen ending up in the middle of one of your… crazy adventures." - she said, emphasizing "crazy adventures" with a raised eyebrow, clearly recalling stories from the past.
"Oh, Mom, don't worry so much." - Gwen interrupted, crossing her arms with a smile. - "I'm not the little girl who needs to be looked after all the time anymore. I know how to take care of myself." - she said with the same confident attitude she had shown since stepping out of the bathroom.
Ben couldn't help but smile to himself. He knew Gwen wasn't the same as before, but he also knew his aunt would never easily accept that. - "It'll be interesting." - Ben muttered, low enough for only Gwen to hear. She shot him a quick glance, reading between the lines.
Max, for his part, decided not to get involved in the family argument. His focus was on what mattered. - "Alright, kids, let's load the last of the things into the camper. It's going to be a long trip, and we need to leave soon. If anyone needs anything, now's the time to speak up."
"No, I think we're all set." - Gwen answered, adjusting the strap of her backpack, ready for anything.
As Ben climbed the stairs to finish packing the few things he had left, Gwen followed closely behind. As soon as they were away from the adults, she shot him an amused look.
"I can't believe they didn't tell you I was coming." - she said, a smile on her lips. - "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Ben smirked as he pulled his old jacket from the closet. - "Can you blame me? I wasn't expecting it to be you, Gwen. I mean… look at you. I barely recognized you!"
"Is that a compliment or an insult?" - she asked, raising an eyebrow, though the sparkle in her eyes showed she wasn't taking it seriously.
Ben laughed. It was good to see his cousin, even with her new attitude. - "I'll leave that up to you."
Downstairs, Max and Natasha were exchanging their last words before the departure. The tension between them was palpable, but Max handled it with his usual calm.
"Just be careful, Max." - Natasha said, looking at him with some seriousness, though still in her usual haughty tone. - "You know I don't want to have to pull my daughter out of some… ridiculous emergency."
"I hope so." - the redheaded adult replied, but her expression still showed a mix of distrust and disapproval.
Ben and Gwen returned to the living room at that moment, ready to leave. Max smiled at seeing both of them, confident that the trip would bring many more surprises than even he expected.
"Ready?" - Max asked, placing a hand on his grandson's shoulder.
Ben and Gwen exchanged a quick glance, a mix of resignation and excitement. The sound of their suitcases sliding across the living room floor echoed loudly as they headed towards the door. Trying to ease the awkwardness, Ben made a quiet comment. - "Well, I guess this is going to be interesting… right?"
Gwen let out a sigh, rolling her eyes dramatically. - "Yeah, sure, Ben. Because traveling in an RV with you guys is exactly my definition of 'interesting'." - She said, though a small playful smile crept onto her lips.
Max, seeing their interaction, couldn't help but chuckle. He knew that, even though his grandkids pretended not to be excited, deep down they were looking forward to the adventure that awaited them. It would be an unforgettable journey.
…
Space was a wasteland. The Plumbers' base floated in ruins, slowly disintegrating while lifeless bodies and debris spun in a macabre dance around what was once the bastion of intergalactic justice. Only two ships remained intact amidst the chaos: a small Plumbers' ship, fighting for its life, and the Chimera Hammer, the imposing and lethal warship under the command of the ruthless Vilgax.
An explosion echoed behind the ships, disintegrating what was left of the Plumbers' base into a cloud of fire and metal. Vilgax watched with a satisfied grin from his throne in the command room, his red eyes gleaming with insatiable desire.
"Don't let her escape! Full power to the cannons!" - he roared, slamming his fist furiously against the arm of his throne. The reddish humanoid droids and Xenocites of his crew obeyed without hesitation, increasing the intensity of the shots aimed at the enemy ship. Vilgax clenched his claws, feeling the power within his grasp. - "The Omnimatrix will be mine. With it, the universe will kneel before me!"
In the small Plumbers' ship, Xylene, the last representative of a destroyed intergalactic force, dodged the projectiles with desperate maneuvers. Alarms blared around her, lights flickered, and every impact shook the ship violently. Despite the critical situation, her mind remained focused on one mission: to save the Omnimatrix at all costs.
"I must take it to Earth… Only there will it be safe." - Xylene muttered through gritted teeth as her green, nimble fingers frantically typed on the control panel. The screen in front of her showed the activation of the hyperspace jump, her only hope of losing Vilgax.
But the Chimera Hammer wasn't going to relent so easily. From its command room, three capsules were fired toward Xylene's ship. Upon impact with the hull, they released three Xenocites, deadly creatures trained to sabotage and destroy. Their mission: dismantle the ship before it could escape.
Xylene felt the impact of the capsules on the exterior and saw the systems beginning to fail. Every second counted. The Xenocites clung to the hull, using their claws to tear off vital parts, but Xylene had no time to deal with them.
"Just a few more seconds…" - she thought as she activated the hyperspace engines.
The ship jolted violently. In the last second, just as the Xenocites were about to rip off the final panel keeping the engine running, Xylene's ship launched into hyperspace, leaving the saboteurs floating in the void.
On the Chimera Hammer, Vilgax roared in fury as he watched his prey slip through his grasp. But not all was lost. With a cruel smile, his eyes narrowed.
"You won't hide forever, Xylene. The Omnimatrix will be mine… sooner or later."
From the command bridge of the Chimera Hammer, the droids worked frantically, their circuits overloaded as they tried to process the enemy ship's last maneuver. One stepped forward, holding a holographic tablet, its metallic voice echoing through the room.
"Lord Vilgax, the ship has entered hyperspace. It has escaped."
An ominous silence filled the air, broken only by Vilgax's heavy breathing. His red eyes glowed with restrained fury as his sharp claws scraped the arms of his throne.
"To where?" - he asked in a raspy voice, each word laced with menace.
The droid hesitated before continuing:
"According to the Xenocite sensors, they are headed toward the primary solar system of the Milky Way. We cannot confirm their exact destination."
Vilgax suddenly rose, his colossal figure casting a menacing shadow over the command bridge. His fury was palpable, like a storm raging within him.
"And what the hell are you waiting for? Set course for that system immediately!" - he roared, his words reverberating across the bridge as he slammed his throne, causing the structure to shake.
His jaw tightened as he clenched his teeth, his eyes gleaming with uncontrolled obsession. The Omnimatrix was all that mattered, and his ambition knew no limits.
"I want the Omnimatrix… and I want it now." - he spat with a fury so intense that no being in the room dared to respond.
The droids obeyed instantly, adjusting the controls and redirecting the Chimera Hammer toward the solar system. For Vilgax, the hunt had just begun, and there would be no place in the universe where his prey could hide.
…
Upon returning to the Tennysons, the silence of the woods outside Bellwood was broken only by the soft whisper of the wind through the trees. Summer had painted the landscape in warm tones, and the crunch of dry leaves underfoot gave the atmosphere a cozy touch. The RV came to a stop, and Ben was the first to jump out, stretching his arms and feeling his body relax after the long trip.
He turned just in time to see Gwen and his grandpa Max stepping out of the vehicle. While Gwen adjusted her jacket and glanced around with a calm expression, Max was already starting to organize the campsite.
"Well, I'm going for a walk." - Ben announced, inhaling the fresh forest air deeply. The surroundings called to him, and he couldn't resist the invitation to explore a bit.
Max, who was checking his equipment, looked up and nodded. - "Sounds good. Gwen, help me set up the campfire, please."
Gwen rolled her eyes just slightly but agreed, nodding. - "Sure, Grandpa."
Before Ben could leave, Max stopped him with a practical remark. - "Since you'll be wandering around, don't forget to bring back some firewood."
Ben responded with a long, somewhat exaggerated, "Suuure," then began walking toward the forest, disappearing among the trees as he moved away from the campsite.
Once Ben was out of sight, Gwen looked at her grandfather and, with a sly smile, commented: "You should've asked him to bring something more challenging. He'll probably get lost looking for the obvious."
Max let out a soft chuckle. - "Ben always finds a way, even if it's not the most efficient one."
As they both gathered stones and wood for the campfire, Gwen glanced up at the sky, noticing the strange stillness in the air. Something felt different, though she wasn't sure what it was.
"Is something wrong?" - Max asked, noticing the sudden seriousness in his granddaughter.
"I don't know…" - Gwen replied, still staring at the sky. - "It's like there's this weird sense of calm. I don't think it's anything, but I feel like we should stay alert."
Max looked at her with a mix of pride and concern. He knew Gwen had a sharp intuition for sensing trouble before it arrived, and although the forest seemed peaceful, something big was brewing in space. While Ben wandered carefree, a fierce battle raged between the Plumbers' ship and Vilgax's far beyond Earth's atmosphere. And that battle, though distant, would soon impact their lives in ways none of them could foresee.
Gwen took a deep breath and returned to the task of lighting the fire, but deep in her mind, the feeling that something bigger was coming wouldn't leave her alone.
Blasts between the ships lit up the void of space, green and red flashes streaking at breakneck speeds. The Plumbers' ship was severely damaged, but in a final effort, it fired a powerful green plasma shot directly at the Chimera Hammer.
In the command room of the Chimera Hammer, Vilgax watched the battle with a calculated calm. His imposing figure loomed before the orange glass, his red eyes glowing with the certainty of victory.
—"There's nowhere left to run…" —he murmured in a deep, triumphant voice.
But before he could finish his sentence, the entire room was rocked by a violent explosion. The plasma shot struck directly, destroying the structure. Vilgax tried to react, raising his massive arms to shield himself, but the damage was devastating. The blast threw him backward, his body torn apart. Only 87% of his head and 35% of his torso survived, along with a portion of his left shoulder. The droids in the room were disintegrated, but a few survivors rushed to gather the remains of their leader, ensuring his vital signs, though weak, indicated he was still alive.
Meanwhile, on the Plumbers' ship, the wreckage floated among the debris, but a small escape pod had been launched just before the destruction. Without the droids noticing, the burning pod hurtled at high speed toward Earth.
Under the clear skies of Bellwood, a teenager was gathering firewood for a campfire. Ben Tennyson, with his typical carefree attitude, crouched to pick up one last fallen branch. He wasn't paying attention to anything else but his task, until he felt a strange disturbance in the air, a scorching heat that didn't fit, even with the summer weather.
He looked up just in time to see a fireball streaking across the sky, descending rapidly toward him. His eyes widened in surprise, and before he could react, the impact shook the ground with overwhelming force. The blast was deafening, and the shockwave hurled him violently against a nearby tree, slamming his back and nearly snapping his neck in the process. A sharp pain shot through his body as he felt a trickle of blood running from a small cut on his forehead.
The firewood he had gathered flew into the air, scattering everywhere, but that was the least of his concerns. Before him, a massive, smoking crater formed in the ground, still emitting steam and heat. Ben struggled to stand, his emerald eyes fixed on the center of the devastation. Something had fallen from the sky… and whatever it was, it was about to change everything.