(Chapter 3: The Hell's a Matriarch?)
It would be nearly a week later for Ben, whom after dragging the unconscious Furiosa back to one of his bases and after doing a scan over her to see what was causing her to go all rage-crazy; that thanks to the Ultimatrix having an X-ray/intenals scanning function that he'd had Azmuth install for medical purposes. Had seen what afflicted her was beyond inhumane and reminding him of some of the horrific slavery tech the Incurseans would use, Ben in good conscience went about with the help of Brainstorm, Archeagle, and Clockwork for added measure to repair her damaged nervous system doing a 12-hours long brain surgery on Furiosa to carefully remove the Butcher's Nails.
What with the Ultimatrix wielder in the interim of completing said surgery and healing her of the internal and external damage afterwards, and making sure she was properly sedated and subdued to make sure she didn't cause herself any harm after her surgery. Went about hunting for food, improving his defenses on top of building up of his arsenal, and continuing to build the Astro/Delta Megaships to one day leave the planet.
(May 19th, 1:04 Pm, 950. M30, Karakinos)
It would be a sunny May afternoon whilst Ben was continuing to work on making ammunition for his Gauss Cannon and the engines for the Astro Megaship, at least until Bahamut had decided to grace him with some rather interesting news.
"And you're completely positive that she is starting to wake up?" Jury Rigg asked as he worked on outfitting the Astro Megaship with its engines
"I am positive, Benjamin. It appears that after the combination of your surgery, and her healing from the effects thereof. That she is awakening from her medically induced coma." Bahamut informed the Ultimatrix wielder of Furiosa's condition
"Then what're we waiting for, let's go see how she's doing…Alright, everyone keep the work going! We still have a lot to get done if we want these ships to be operational on schedule!" Jury Rigg yelled out to the worker drones before transforming back to his regular form as Ben
'I just hope that she doesn't try to crush me when I got to check on her. The last thing I need is to get snapped in half by a literal Amazon.' Were Ben's hopes as headed over to Furiosa's recovery room
Meanwhile, Furiosa was now awake after her medically induced coma; her skull feeling as though a Titan had used it for tap-dancing practice, while the rest of her body still ached in phantom pains from the strange sonic attacks that had ripped through her body with what felt like the force of a 1,000 point-blank Volcano Cannons' concentrated on her. Yet as she stood up and took view of her surroundings she was made not of a few things that surprised her, one being that instead of her Power Armor she was now dressed in a green and black stripped hospital gown of sorts that clung to her muscular, powerful frame as though it were painted on.
Another was that she was hooked to multiple medical machines monitoring her life-signs, as an I.V was hooked into her arm, another was that the room looked like an old-fashioned medical bay from the ones she would see the Imperial Guard be walled up in on Terra, then the last and most telling one that surprised her and one that brought utter shock to her…It was that no longer did she feel the constant pain and fury that had become commonplace for many years from her time as a gladiator and later a Matriarch was now absent, as she ran her fingers through her thick coppery-red braids and felt the absence of the dreaded Butcher's Nails.
The Matriarch in question going to the nearest mirror in the room to look herself over, and see that to her shock and surprise as Ben entered the room that she was now freed of the accursed cranial implants; that had been the bane of her existence for so many decades of her life…Furiosa being so caught up in the alien feeling of the Butchers' Nails absences, alongside the joy of so many emotions other than rage flooding her mind that she nearly missed the presence of a young man in his early 30's with unkempt brown hair, bright green eyes, wearing black and green clothing, and an unusual gauntlet on his left arm looking up at her.
"Soooo, now that you are feeling better. Are you ok to talk with me now?...At least I hope so now that I have you all fixed up." Ben asked as he looked up at Furiosa
"Where am I, and who are you?" Furiosa asked back as she struggled to stand to her full height now that the Butcher's Nails weren't constantly gnawing at her
"You're in one of the safehouses I've built on this planet…After you went all rage crazy on me, and we had a fight where I beat you and knocked you unconscious. I took you back here, patched you up, and made sure you were ok." Ben answered back
"Also, before you get the wrong idea. I didn't take any sneak peaks; when I was getting you out of your armor. My Grandpa and my parents would've had a field day, if I did anything like that." Ben further spoke as he was a number of things but a shameless lecher wasn't one of them
'Although, it doesn't help that she is absolutely STACKED. Good lord, in heaven what do they feed this woman, because there is no way that her legs and butt look that good. Either she never misses leg day or someone has a really great surgeon...Alright, focus, Ben, focus; get it together and don't think about how you want her to crush you with her thighs, or sit on your face.' Were Ben's brief unhinged thoughts as he looked over at said Matriarch in admission of her thick muscular thighs and large toned rear-end that bullets could no doubt bounce off of
"Good to know…Still, you have not told me who you are, or more importantly, how you removed the Butchers' Nails without killing me. Not even the Emperor himself is capable of doing that; without my death coming of it." Furiosa questioned wondering how a human was able to do what her father was incapable of
"I don't know who this Emperor guy is. But he isn't someone who knows a thing or two about surgery, especially when they can have super healing and make their IQ go through the roof. So all it took was some transformations, a crap-ton of coffee and sedatives. Then before I know it, I got those Butchers' Nails things out of your head, and put you in a medically induced coma for a few days to recover." Ben informed her of how he managed to remove the damnable implants from her head
"...Oh, by the way, my name is Ben Tennyson and I'm from Earth…I don't think I caught your name, when you were being an axe-wielding rage monster." Ben told her
"I am Furiosa of Nuceria, Matriarch of the World Eaters…and you have my complete and total gratitude for what you have done, Ben Tennyson. Thank you, for doing what my father could not. You have my gratitude and eternal thanks for doing this." Furiosa said back with nothing but gratitude and thankfulness in her voice
"Hey, it's not a problem at all. You looked like you were going through it, when we thought. So I figured why not help you get your sense back so we could talk like regular people…No offense, but you didn't really seem like yourself." Ben spoke
"And why would you go out of your way to help me? I know that I was in one of my berserker rages; that you were more than in your rights to have killed me. Yet you chose to not only spare me, but heal me, free me from a curse that had ruined my sanity for years on end, and bring me to one of your safehouses…Why do all of this for a stranger, much less a potential enemy who could have killed you in an instant?" Furiosa questioned her golden eyes staring into the young man who despite everything could and very well should have killed her
"That's easy. You weren't yourself, and my conscience wouldn't let me kill you; when you were not in control of your own actions…I'm a lot of things, but I am not someone who kills someone else when they can't control themselves...Not really my style, if I'm to be real with you." Ben answered in knowing that his guilty conscience would've eaten him alive if he killed her in cold blood when she wasn't in 100% of herself
"So I did what I thought was the right thing. I used as much force as possible to knock you unconscious, did everything I could to heal you, then I made sure you were alright…This way, we could actually talk to each other; like I was hoping to in the first place; without you trying to kill me on sight." Ben further explained his reasoning as to why he didn't kill her when he had the chance
"Then you are far more merciful than most in your position. Not many would pass the chance to kill a Matriarch, much less go out of their way to heal one that tried to kill them.." Furiosa spoke still surprised by Ben's restraint when others would not have shown such
"Hey, I'm just doing what I knew was the right thing. Not much more or less than that." Ben replied in just seeing this as part of his duties as a superhero to help others
"Even still, you have my eternal gratitude for doing what you have done. If there is anything that I can do to repay you, name it and it will be done. It is only right that I repay you in any way possible for the miracle you have done. That I will NOT negotiate on; for the miracle you have done to me, Ben Tennyson." Furiosa said back knowing that she owed him a life debt for freeing her
"Hey, you do whatever you think is fair and we can call it even. All I know is that I did what I needed to do, and that's that…The only other thing that I'm concerned with is making sure my defenses stay up and running. Making sure that my ships are continuing to get built on time, and make sure that the others don't cause any trouble for me." Ben told a confused yet impressed Furiosa
"What do you mean others?" Furiosa questioned as she rose to her full imposing height of 9 feet tall
"Turns out that other than you, I'm not alone…Since some other people that call themselves Matriarchs, are here too. So for the moment, I'm making sure that they don't wreck what I've going on." Ben answered back much to the ire of Furiosa
"My sisters are here too?" Furiosa asked as anger bled into her tone
"Yeah, but don't worry I have all sorts of things in the works to deal with them, if they cause trouble…I may not have all the resources I used to. But so far, I've still lucked out with this place giving me what I need. So it all evens out if your sisters, Matriarchs or whatever you call them give me any trouble." Ben answered back as he noticed Furiosa's angered expression
"...Do you…Do you having any issues with them? Because I don't want to start any family drama between you or your sisters if I can help it...The last thing I need is bad blood ruining my stuff." Ben asked the towering behemoth of a woman
"My relationship with my sisters is…complicated at best. Especially, when it concerns our father the Emperor." Furiosa answered back in not having the strongest of positive feelings for a majority of her sisters/fellow Matriarchs
"Do you want to talk about it over lunch?" Ben inquired as if on cue Furiosa's stomach rumbled with the roar akin to a small jet engine
"That would be great, and if we are to share stories. Then I would like to hear you share some of yours. I know that you are capable, but I would wish to hear more of the strength of you, Ben Tennyson." Furiosa said back curious to know more about the man who healed her
"Alright, sure, but first things first…What even is a Matriarch?!" Ben questioned as he and opened the door for he and Furiosa to walk out of
(3 hours later, Ben's Safehouse, Karakinos, 4:52 Pm)
All the while after having lunch with one another Ben and Furiosa had exchanged a few stories with one another, with Furiosa telling him of some of her times in fighting as a renowned gladiator in her homeworld of Nuceria, while Ben shared some of how he assembled the children of the Plumbers and retired plumbers of Earth to fight against the Highbreed's invading of his home.
"Not only did you, alongside your cousin, and former enemy; assemble a battalions' worth of allies. Both Xenos and Human to fight against these Highbreed bastards. But you had also defeated their entire armada as well?" Furiosa questioned after Ben finished regaling her
"Yeah, all just under a week after my 16th birthday…Certainly helps when everyone wants to defend their home from alien xenophobes. Not to mention that, after we helped Albedo get his original body back; he definitely helped when we needed weapons and anything else under the sun." Ben answered back regarding the Galvan in question
"Honestly, if most of everyone we gathered didn't come to help us when we needed it. Then things would have gone a lot worse." Ben further spoke as his drones took their plates to be cleaned off for later
"The only thing I can say is that you are not only more than a capable warrior, but also a great leader to do this all before adulthood. There are rare if any that could claim such a feat of combative prowess." Furiosa responded impressed that someone at the age of 16 defeated an entire invading fleet of Xenos with but barely a battalions' worth of allies
"I have been a hero since I was 10 years old. If I wasn't able to become a halfway decent leader, and someone who can stand toe to toe with some of the galaxy's worst. Then I wouldn't be a very good one, now would I?" Ben said back with a lighthearted smile
"With your talents from what little you have told me, and how capable you are. You would have a calling as a great soldier of the Imperium, with your talents for combat and warfare from what you have told me. You are a cut above any Guardsman, and possibly a match for an Astartes." Furiosa spoke in an assessment she could soundly make now that she had her newfound clarity
"I appreciate it, but I don't even know what's out there in your Imperium?...Right now, my biggest concern is continuing to build my ship and go from there." Ben replied
"Not to mention, I don't even know how I would fit in there, or where I would even live once I get off-world? Getting sent to this part of…wherever I am, didn't exactly come with a pocket full of cash." Ben further spoke as he looked up at the brilliant navy sky above
"Then allow me to help you with that problem, as part of repaying the debt I owe to you." Furiosa said to the Ultimatrix wielder as she bore down on him with her large golden eyes
"What are you getting at?" Ben questioned the Matriarch
"What I am getting at, is that I could allow you to have a home as part of my Legion. It may not be much at first, and believe me I am not looking forward to the day I have to return to my duties." Furiosa informed him before continuing
"However, as a Matriarch I can make it so that as an ally too or part of my Legion. That you will be taken care of…The perks of someone who has done what you have, for a Matriarch would be immense. Not to mention that you have my respect for having bested me in battle as well." Furiosa added
"If you want, after we get off the planet. We can have a round 2? Only this time, I get to see what you can do when your not hopped up on rage steroids." Ben suggested as Furiosa grinned at the prospect as she continued to pop her back and sternum
"That sounds like a deal, Tennyson. Only this time, I will claim victory when we have our rematch. Now that I am in full control of myself, our next battle will be far difficult for you; that much I can assure you of." Furiosa replied keen on the idea
"I will give you credit, Furiosa. You're good and you definitely gave me a quite bit of trouble. However, I've still got some heavyweights on my roster that can still kick your butt." Ben said back with a grin that was matched by the towering Matriarch
"Then it is settled. Once we are off of this blasted rock, you and I will have a duel to settle our differences in strength." Furiosa spoke ready and willing to fight against the Ultimatrix wielder
"If I beat you, then I told you so." Was Ben's only response as a wily grin stretched across his face
"And if I defeat you, then you will join my Legion. After all, I could use someone with your skillset to bolster the strength of my men. Even moreso, now that my head is cleared of the furious storm that plagued my mind for decades on end." Furiosa said back with an almost raptatorial grin about herself
"Oh, that reminds me. How are you feeling without having those things in your noggin'?...Now that you're at or close to full strength. I feel like I should ask." Ben wondered regarding the mental state of the World Eaters Matriarch
"I do not know what magic you worked, when you removed those Nails from my skull. But I feel as though I can do and feel so much more, than being so raging beast…It is hard to explain, Tennyson. Yet I know that for the first time in years since my enslavement to both my masters on Nuceria, and being bound to the Emperor. That I feel almost liberated from the chains that once bound me." Furiosa replied
For the first time in a very, VERY long time; Furiosa felt an almost alien joy swell within her at no longer being forced to rage and feel nothing but irrational fury at the world around her, with it being that in the few myriad hours since her surgery to remove them; that she could think and feel and know what it was like to be something beyond fury incarnate. That now she could look to the future and have the possibility that she could return to her roots as a warrior and further herself martially as she had intended, before being gradually worn away into a ferocious near-mad berserker; who could not know a moment of peace or pleasure unless it came with the slaughter of an enemy.
"And I have you to thank for that, Ben Tennyson. Had you not taken mercy on me, I would still be running about in blind fury of every living thing...It also does not hurt that I can finally stand comfortably again. Those blasted things driving me to insanity to where all I could do is stalk and stomp like an Ogryn." Furiosa said giving a smile of genuine gratitude toward him
"Did those things really mess up your back that badly?" Ben asked the World Eaters Matriarch
"Those Nails being burrowed into my brain had a number of negative effects on me; besides the white-hot brain-fire of constant rage. One of them was the constant toll it took on my body. You try standing straight for more than 5 minutes without your every nerve feeling as though it were put through a meatgrinder." Furiosa answered back
"Ooof that sounds rough." Ben responded
"Believe me my existence with them was anything but kind...Now I will have to relearn how to walk, stand, and even fight properly again. Years of being made a madwoman have taken a hefty toll on my...everything." Furiosa spoke as she was able to albeit uneasily walk and stand at her full height of 10 foot 4 instead of what she was with the Nails at 9 foot 2
"Which is why I once again extend my gratitude towards you for helping me when others would not. Especially after all that I have done across this accursed Crusade." Furiosa further spoke thankful of Ben's aid
"Not a problem at all, besides everyone needs help from someone in their life. Plus, everyone needs a hero to give them a second chance to put them on the right track again. I've done it for a lot of other people in my life, and I'm happy I could do it for you too. Especially since now that you aren't a raging loon anymore...you seem like you have a halfway decent heart about yourself." Ben replied with a wistful smile as he continued to look up at the brilliant navy sky above
"Those are wise words, Tennyson. Hopefully, once you leave this place, you will still hold onto those ideals. The Imperium and the wider galaxy at large is a particularly cruel and unforgiving place. Much more so than where you once hailed from, so I will give you words of wisdom of my own." Furiosa spoke as her features morphed into ones while much more kindhearted than her formerly wrathful visage schooled itself into that of a strict yet fair general
"To survive in the greater galaxy that my 'father' strives to unity under his banner. You must harden your heart until it is strong as ceramite. Your resolve must be able to withstand the greatest horrors of not only the Warp, but even those within the Imperium itself and all of its corruption. For mercy is a currency that is sparing in the Imperium and the worlds' beyond for a reason, that would have many others of your sensibilities killed, decieved, or met with fates that would make death seem almost rapturous…Reasons that you find out soon enough when your ships are made ready, and I hope that you will be strong enough to endure. Otherwise, you will be crushed under the weight of the beaureacrat, the depravity of the Drukhari, or the ambition of the Emperor if you are not careful." Furiosa told him with a level of care in her voice that was rarely reserved except for either the few sisters she cared for or the few elites of her Legion that she truly did respect
"If I can survive looking at the face of an Elder God and Celestialsapiens without going insane. If I can survive planetary invasions and stop a madman from claiming infinite power with my friends and family. Then I can survive whatever is out there." Ben replied with the utmost confidence in his ability to face the unknown of Furiosa's universe
"With confidence like that, you will do well in the battles to come. Especially, if your competency as a warrior is anything to go by." Furiosa said as a smile once more spread across her severe features
'The real question being, how will you fair against the Emperor himself, once you catch his attention?' Furiosa wondered as she and Ben continued about their day
(The next night, 11:13 Pm, May 21st, 950. M30, Matriarch Base, Karakinos)
It would be the following night as a restless Konstance Kurze sat beside herself, having had one of her visions that had roused her from her sleep, what with it being of the young man with unkempt hair, brilliant green eyes, and the strange gauntlet on his left arm; that continued to recur in her visions that found themselves into her dreams leaving her red-faced at the rare joy it would bring her.
"Can't sleep?" Came the words of Fulgrim as she strode towards The Night Haunter herself
"Hello, Fulgrim, and what are you doing at this hour?" Konstance Kurze asked her fellow Matriarch
"Considering how strange and even oddly cheerful you have been acting lately. I figured that it wouldn't hurt to see what is troubling you." Fulgrim answered back
"So tell me, Konstance. What is bothering the 'dreaded Night Haunter' so much, that I see her blushing like a Terran schoolgirl?" Fulgrim asked as Konstance in a rare show of demureness looked away from her vainglorious sister
"I do not blush." Was The Night Lords' Matriarch's curt response
"Oh don't give me that. You may be able to fool the others; with your act of being a dark avenger of punishment and dread. But as one of the few; that has taken their time to know who you are. I know that you are still a woman, a woman who craves love and affection as any of us." Fulgrim said back regarding her odd relationship with the Matriarch beside her
"Which is why, I can see it as plain as Perturabo's love of her machines. That someone or something has caught your eye; when you have these visions…and I want to know who or what it is. They must be important, if they can " Fulgrim further spoke knowing the telltale signs of a crush forming
"...Very well, but only if you promise not to call me crazed or make fun of me. I already get that treatment from the majority of our sisters, save you, Sekhmet, and even Lorna and Furiosa, despite their oddities." Konstance Kurze replied in Fulgrim being one of the rare few she trusted as companions and even as sisters to a growing extent
"You don't have to worry about a thing. I am many things, but someone who would out the secrets of another is not one of them. For it is beneath someone of my splendor and glory to do so. I am many things, but I am not someone who would bully you for the sake of doing so." Fulgrim said back in seeing the belittling of her sister as beneath her
"Thank you." Was Konstance Kurze's response
From there the Night Lords' Matriarch began to tell her sister of the strange visions she had of this man that continued to appear in her visions, some where she was a mother of two sons, others being on her wedding day, another showing her fighting alongside him as he turned into strange and powerful creatures, while others showed her on dates out of the romance novels Fulgrim favored. Yet all of them with this mysterious man with green eyes as bright as the Salamander's armor, was that the common thread within them was of the great amount of joy she felt when she was with him, as though he were her north star within the all-consuming pitch black of misery that has been her life thus far.
"Hmmm, it seems as though the feared and terrible Konstance might have a suitor in her future…By the looks of it a rather handsome one at that." Fulgrim said a tone of playful teasing in her voice
"The oddest part to all of them is that every time we have gone to that city; where Leona turned into a painted fool. That my visions grow stronger and more frequent…If he is somewhere out there, then I must find him. The chance to fully grasp what is before me within these visions, is something that I must hold onto if the hope of what they present can be realized." Konstnce Kurze replied in having had the strength of her visions grow every time they set foot in the seemingly abandoned city
"And what will you do if we meet with him? If we are able to leave this planet, and he agrees to be with us on amicable terms. I do have to ask how you plan to make this work, between the two of you? You are by far and wide not only an exceptional woman, but also the Matriarch of an entire Legion, not only that, there is also the fact that we are incredibly long-lived as well to consider." Fulgrim questioned as she sat beside her dour-looking sister
"So I ask this not as someone who wants to see your hopes for love be for naught. But as a concerned sister who wants to make sure that when you do find this man. That you know what you are getting into, and that you can handle what may come of it…Love is a fickle and difficult thing, Konstance, and navigating can be harder than any campaign that our beloved father sends us toward." Fulgrim further spoke not wanting to see her sister be hurt
"...I know the risk that I am taking, Fulgrim. Yet I cannot help but want to take it all the same…For the first time in years, my visions are showing me that a chance at happiness is possible. That I have a possibility of there being someone who wishes to be with me and love me regardless of who I am. I cannot waste what may be a once and a lifetime chance, to have true joy and happiness in my life with someone. Not when my life has been nothing but an abyss of misery, suffering, and terror to endure…Am I so wrong for desiring a companion who will actually want me, a man who will show me love not as a Matriarch but as a woman? Am I wrong for desiring a love that has been denied to me for so many years, Fulgrim?" Konstance Kurze replied but all the same wanting if not craving this chance for companionship and all the joys it could bring to her
"No, you are not. If there is one person who I know deserves this it is you…Despite all of the terror, the unholy amounts of fear, and cruelties you inflict. I have also known in the time I have met you as my sister. That there is also nobility, righteous in her desire for justice, and a resillience bar none. So I know that if things work out between you and the literal man of your dreams. That you will have the happiness that you deserve, this much I know." Fulgrim told her sister who gave a small smile at those words
"Thank you, and it is also the reason why, I must make a request of you." Konstance Kurze spoke
"I am going to go out on a limb, and say that you want me to convince Sekhmet to let you join us on our little expedition?" Fulgrim guessed as her sister nodded
"Please, if there is any chance that I may have to make these visions a reality. Then I have to take the initiative to do so." Konstance Kurze replied
"...Very well, then. if you truly are serious about this, then I will work my infallible charms on dear Sekhmet, and convince her to bring you along." Fulgrim said back
"Thank you, sister. I cannot express my gratitude toward you for doing this." Spoke the Night Lords Matriarch as her fellow Matriarch gave an obnoxiously proud grin
"I need no thank you, dear Konstance. As your wondrous sister, it is my job to ensure your happiness. After all, who else but I will make sure that when you and your soon-to-be lover meet. That you will have a fairy-tale ending to rival all others." Fulgrim spoke as her fellow Matriarch's face became tinged in red
"Will you look at that, my sister is blushing…Oh if this is what your like at the thought of being lovers, then I can't help but to see what you be like; when you two share a romantic moment." Fulgrim added with a playful snicker
"I believe your helpfulness has come to an end, Venus." Konstance Kurze spoke as she schooled her features to their well-known scowl
"Fine, fine. I know when my jests are outlived…But nonetheless, I do wish you the best dear Konstance. Night Haunter or not, you are and always will be my beloved sister." Fulgrim said as she gave a pat on the shoulder before rising to her towering height and returning to her room
'Mark my words, I will find you and no matter what it takes. I will show you that we are meant to be.' Were the thoughts of the Night Lords Matriarch as she looked up at the stars above
(2 days later, Karakinos, Ben's Workshop, 1:45 Pm, 950. M30, May 23rd)
Meanwhile, Furiosa would be practicing with her twin chain-axes as Ben was hard at work on upgrading Furiosa's plasma pistol; seeing it as something that while serviceable wasn't quite up to the standards of what he was used too..
"That should do it. It may not have a lot of charges, but I doubt anything will after getting blasted by concentrated solar radiation and plasma. Thank you NRG for being a living nuclear reactor." Ben remarked as he grabbed the heavy-duty looking magnum off to the side to check on the World Eaters Matriarch
"Hey, Furiosa! How're you feeling today?" Ben asked after making his way towards said Matriarch in question who stopped going through her combat drills
"I am doing well, Tennyson. I still feel a bit off, but given the circumstances. That is more than acceptable." Furiosa answered back as she found herself having to readjust her way of fighting now that the Butchers' Nails were no longer with her
"Good to know, I just want to make sure that nothing is wrong with you…Intensive brain surgery can do that to a person." Ben spoke as the imposing figure of Furiosa holstered Gorefather and Gorechild to her sides
"Yes…It has been a welcome adjustment to be my own person again. Although, I now have to work toward modifying my fighting style. Now that it is no longer fielded by a near single-minded rage. I have an extensive amount of work to do if I am to fight at the capacity that I hold myself and my legion too." Furiosa replied
"That does make a lot of sense; now that you are a giant rage tank anymore…Which reminds me, I took the liberty of improving the laser pistol I saw that you had. I figured that it didn't really fit your whole style, so I did some modifications to make it work more in your favor." Ben spoke before hefting up the newly improved Spite Furnace
"It may not have the range it used too, but it definitely packs more of a punch than it used to." Ben added as Furiosa looked it over
What with the plasma pistol now looking as though it were a cross between a sawed-off Bolter Shotgun and plasma pistol, that while painted in its gold and crimson colors, except with fiery green details on the sides and a large pistol grip that made for easier handling. Albeit now instead of their being the singular barrel to fire out of there were now two barrels, that added to her sidearms' more hefty weight; that in full transparency felt right to her.
As such with Ben's encouragement; she soon took aim as she rarely did when using it, and fired it off into the distance where despite its range being halved; the result was made clear once it made impact with a nearby building. With said building being reduced to naught more than smoking rubble and fiery debris as a thunderous THOOOMM was made in the aftermath of of it being utterly obliterated into smoking rubble, as Furiosa could only stare down at her newly improved sidearm in awe of the fact that she was now wielding a miniature Lascannon in her hands.
"You improved my weapon to this degree in under a week?" Furiosa asked
"Yep! Granted it is a bit of a bummer that I couldn't do more as I hoped. If I had better materials to work with, then I could've done what I had originally intended. Which was to make a miniature bunker-buster in pistol form. But I think this should be decent enough." Ben said back slightly disappointed at the power output of the newly improved Spite Furnace
"Tennyson, this is more than acceptable. If anything this is by far much, much more than I could have expected…I was hoping for it to be twice the power of a standard bolter, if anything. Instead, I have something that could punch through Dreadnoughts as though they were made of paper." Furiosa replied still in shock of what was in her hands
"So I'll take it, that you like the upgrade?" Ben asked
"Like would be an unfair understatement…If my sisters are truly here on this planet, then I think that you and Perturabo will get alone greatly. She would have a field day with someone like you." Furiosa answered back knowing that the Iron Warrior's matriarch and inventor would no doubt take well to Ben
"What's she like?" Ben questioned
"She is a lover of all things engineering and mechanical, in fact, if the Emperor didn't have her build machines of war and wage wars of attrition for a living. She would make one of the greatest architects the Imperium has ever known. She is determined, through, one whose will is unbreakable as the armor she wears and the machines she crafts with the care a mother has for her children. Yet in her determination, and dutiful will towards being a defender of our 'great Imperium' is she often wrathful, but not without reason. It comes from a place of being forced to do the hard work and brutalizing tasks that no other man nor legion is willing to do, but will do it because it is needed of her." Furiosa began to explain of the Iron Warriors willful Matriarch
"So understand that in her anger, it is not at you. But moreso as someone who has been forced through the meatgrinder of war an combat to make sure that our homes are protected through attrious war. She is someone who craves an approval that is rarely acknowledged or given, for the work forced upon her…In short she is a woman who is as complex as the models and warmachines, and other constructs she crafts." Furiosa further spoke regarding her sister
"Huh, sounds like a bit of basket case. Then again with you guys being super-generals from the little you've told me. I guess anyone would be." Ben said knowing that you needed to be a little mad to make it far in war
"Trust me when I say that her anger is not without reason. Her duties in her field are not for the faint of heart, Tennyson. Which is why, I will tell you to be patient with her…For underneath that iron, there is a heart that will fight relentlessly to protect what is around it without fail." Furiosa spoke
"Sounds like you two were pretty friendly." Ben surmised
"Friendly, we were not. Between the two of there was an unspoken respect for our respective fields, but never a means for friendship to grow. Not that I could blame her, when in reflection my actions and how I carried myself left much to be desired." Furiosa replied regarding hers and Perturabo's relationship
"And what are you going to do about it, now that you've got everything back in order?...It's never too late to try and make things better with your family." Ben asked the towering figure beside him who had a contemplative look
"I do not know just yet. But what I do know is that if and when we leave this planet. I am going to make a few changes to my own Legion. I know that in my rage and anger; that I was not the best sister or comrade in arms to them, as they needed at the time, and even still. However, I know that if anything is to get done; that I must be better." Furiosa answered back regarding her place as the World Eaters now that she had her faculties in order
"Now that you're all good to go, at least with a week or two's more of rest; I think you can pull it off. Besides, if you ever need any help on doing that sort of thing. Then I don't mind stepping in…I do know a thing about leading a company. Which should be a bigger version of whatever your Legion is more or less, right?" Ben replied/offered gaining a roar-like bout of laughter from the World Eaters Matriarch
"I appreciate your confidence Tennyson, and if you are half as good a leader, as you are a warrior and inventor. Then I will have use for you yet in my Legion, if you are willing." Furiosa spoke in not wanting to force Ben into service of something he may not yet be ready for
"Hey, I may not know much about this new…whatever I'm in. But I know that something in my gut tells me; that the galaxy out there needs a Hero." Ben responded
"I may be a long, long ways a way from home. But that does not mean that I am exempt from being a hero, as no matter where I go, I will continue to be one until I physically am unable. Otherwise, what's the point of doing anything if you don't put what you have towards making things better for everything going on around you." Ben further spoke regarding what he saw as his duties in regards to being a Hero
"Then I wish you the best of luck, Tennyson. For there are legions in abundance for you to fight against, that will leave you rarely a day without someone to fight. It does not matter if it is the daemons of the Warp, the endless hordes of Orks and their nonsensical death machines, or even the Necrons. That there is a never-ending war to fight against, and I have no doubts that you will have your time to be a Hero in it." Furiosa spoke
"If that's the case then I really do have a lot of work to do, once we're out of here…And so far, I can't think of anyone better to help me out than you." Ben replied as the Matriarch beside him hefted her newly improved sidearm
"You honor me with that sentiment, Tennyson. Truly you do…hopefully you still feel the same way once you see how we conduct ourselves in battle. For you have not yet seen the horrors of war that the Imperium is capable of." Furiosa said back as she looked up at the sky above knowing that their were still battles in ad infinitem to fight against
'It can't be all that much worse from what the Chimera Wars were like…can they?' Ben wondered to himself on just how fucked things were that Furiosa was giving him a heads-up on what was to come
And so with Furiosa now free of the accursed Butcher's Nails, and under the care of Ben; we also see the Night Lords Matriarch resolving to see her visions through and as such request her confidant in Fulgrim to convince Sekhmet Lupercal to allow her to go on the potential diplomacy mission to have Ben as one of their allies? How will things go as both sides soon meet with one another, on the mystery planet of Karakinos? Well stay tuned and find out in the all new installments of, Ultimate Alien: Primarch Force!
Alright, that'll do it for this one as I hope that everyone enjoyed this chapter and everything that went into it, as I am sorry for any stuff that I get wrong; given that as a new Warhammer40K fan I am still new to learning the lore (of which I underestimated how much there is of) but nonetheless am happy to still get into things. Furthermore, thank you to everyone who has supported the story this far as it means quite a lot that people are tuning in to see how thing things unfold in the story so far, and I can't wait to show you more of what I've got coming up next!
So without further adieu, this is Pravus666 signing off until time. Wherein our next outting with have Ben meeting more of the Matriarchs as well as said Matriarchs seeing a now no longer rage-hulked-out Furiosa, as discussions for allyship ensue, so stay tuned for all of that good stuff.
Part 1 Theme Song: Black out the Sun by Sevendust
Random End Song: Mother by Danzig
Now then onto the reviews from the last chapter.
Kourtney Uzu Yato: Its all good, Kourtney, I more than understand that life can get hectic. Also, yeah Ben does not care since he wanted to do Home Alone/Looney Tunes shenanigans and it worked, now as for how things will go when they inevitably meet each other is gonna be fun. Yeah, and what makes this even more 'funny' is that since this is a version of Ben that went onto become his version of Ben 10K, that he's not only trained them to be extremely combat-effective but has also amped them up with Galvan nanotech as well...That and it could've gone a lot worst, as funnily enough Ultimate Echo Echo is one of the more tamest options he could've used against her given that he could've gone Ultimate Heatblast or even Ultimate Armadrillo who are both something else for what I planned. But as you can see Furiosa did make a full recovery, although she is still understandably a bit out of it. Furthermore, with Gwen; I told you she is gonna be going through it given that with the weight of Ben in an alternate timeline/universe and her not knowing what's going on with him on top of what happened with Grandpa Max and Kevin, plus balancing her responsibilities as her planets Sorcerer Supreme and a College Proffessor/war hero, its certainly a lot. Also, people will definitely think he's completely mad to be the type of person to not only challenge Khorne, but also be the type to say 'You can have me when you fucking earn me.' To a Chaos God with a straight face.
Mr. Illegal: I also wanted to use a much older version of Ben as well given that it would make the most sense for the context of the story, and a teenage version of him wouldn't really work without feeling weird; given that with a much more adult version he can actually handle what's going on. And this is actually going to have a tech-focused Ben as well given that he really like building machinery and weaponry (especially weapons of mass destruction if he has the chance). Also, this version of Ben while having his worldviews challenged, I feel can still hold out hope in the face of what is and will be in the 30th millenium, despite the grim-darkness of it all.
Obsidian Nova Arc: Also, I'm glad you like Ben using the Delta Megaship as the base for one of his imminent starships to be, given that it is one of my favorite things to come out of Power Rangers; that I couldn't help but not put into the story. Also, he is keeping Bahamut hidden for safe-keeping once he gets off the planet he's on...if he's lucky he may be able to convince people that Bahamut is an extremely powerful machine spirit he came into contact with/created...Btw, I love the idea for what the head of the Megazord mode could be, on top of it being a mobile base of operations for when he does do other such fuckery across planets
Skull Flame: This is a version of Ben that grew into being Ben 10K with an Ultimatrix, just that due to him having never taken off either the Omnitrix or the Ultimatrix; that he's become a bit...unhinged as a person overall. Furthermore, in regards to Kevin and Grandpa max; the Chimera Wars were not a particularly pretty sight for anyone given that Ben did take a big hit in terms of personal losses in the war against Vilgax. And as for what Big E is doing, I will be getting into that in later chapters given that there's a lot to start going into what with in part to the Matriarchs being a thing, a ripple effect is that for one the Necrons have started to wake up earlier than expected, with one of the 1st being Trayzn, and the other being that the Matriarchs do know about Chaos thanks to Perturabo on the request of Morganna the Red studying into the Warp and discovering people like Vashtorr and Bel'akor being a thing, although the 4 big players are still unknown to them...for now. Also, I hope you like what's gone with Ben and Furiosa so far, and as for Konstance, Ben is gonna actually help her to try and be more heroic for what I have planned.
Ripple247: Glad you like the story so far, and I hope you like how I had Ben cure Furiosa. Since with this being a hyper-competent version of him that's been through a 'LOT' of encounters, and even a few wars/invasions that it makes sense that he'd pick up on a lot of skills, to further his being a hero and Plumber commander.