(Chapter 4: A Meeting of the Matriarchs: Part 1)
It would be the week at hand of which the group of Matriarchs under Sekhmet Lupercal to venture into one of the cities of Karakinos, where Morganna the Red had managed to narrow down the Ultimatrix wielder's location. With the hopes of not only meeting with this mystery entity in question for a potential ally on this planet, but also one who would be capable enough to help them find a way off the planet they had been stranded on for a full month.
(Karakinos, May 25th, 950, M30, 1:10 Pm)
It would be a bit after 1 in the afternoon as the leader of the Luna Wolves alongside her entourage; could not say that she didn't enjoy the feeling of having eyes on her as they headed towards the direction of the Ultimatrix wielder in question…especially when said eyes were the pupiless green of Ben's drones constantly surveying and patrolling the area, ready to strike.
"While I appreciate the attention, am I not the only one who feels…unnerved by these machines staring at us?" Fulgrim asked slightly perturbed by the consistent unblinking gazes heeded her way
"We are in the territory of another. So it stands to reason that whoever is here, would have made guardians to keep themselves safe." Sekhmet answered back
"Although, I will agree with you that it is disturbing that there is nearly a legions' worth of these machines here…Morganna, how much further until we reach the destination?" Sekhmet added before turning to the one-eyed Matriarch
"It is not much longer until we arrive. However, there is someone else there as well." Morganna the Red responded having sensed an additional presence alongside Ben's
"Who is with them?" Sekhmet questioned
"Furiosa…Hmmm, what could she be doing here?" Morganna the Red wondered as to what said Matriarch was doing here
"I do not know, but it is all the more reason why we should investigate the reason behind it." Sekhmet replied as they hurried forwards
On the other side of things Furiosa why 'sparring' against one of Ben's Xenos forms that he called XLR8, which was easier said than done given how swiftly he was able to move to the point where he could make tangible dopplegangers through the sheer amount of speed generated. As such while she was able to track the Ultiamtrix wielder as a hardly-percievable blur, it did not mean that she was able to land any worthwhile strikes against any of them due to them moving so fast that even Fulgrim would have difficulties fighting them.
By contrast XLR8 and their speed clones were able to tag the towering Matriarch with blows that made them a green and black blur of motion, to the point where despite their newfound mental clarity and monstrous physicality that the World Eaters Matriarch could not strike them with her twin chainaxes. The attempts at doing so as a number of bright red welts soon ended after nearly several minutes of doing so, with a frustrated Matriarch and a hardly winded Ben standing beside each other.
"Don't get so down, Furiosa. XLR8 is one of the fastest aliens I have on deck, so you being unable to hit 'em isn't all that bad." Ben told the World Eaters Matriarch
"How you are able to move so fast is beyond absurdity…Fulgrim would have to move at close to her full speed to match that." Furiosa spoke regarding the Kinneceleran's speed
"To be fair, I doubt that would even help. Since I can move at light speed if I really wanted too…Better yet, its a good thing that I didn't nail you with an Infinite Mass Punch. Otherwise, things could've gotten real bad." Ben told Furiosa who looked surprised at hearing this information
"What is a Infinite Mass Punch? Is this some sort of old Terran technique?" Furiosa asked intrigued by the name of said technique
"Yes and no more or less, it's a move where if I go at slightly under the speed of light. Then I can hit someone with the mass of a white dwarf star, if you know what that is. Bonus points for it having no limits on how many times I can do it either." Ben answered back semi-boastfully at how he could pull off a move from one of his favorite heroes
"The more that I know of your Xenos forms. The more mind-numbingly powerful they are…At this point from what you have told me. You could be considered a one-man legion, just from the sheer absurdity and versatility of what you are capable of." Furiosa said wondering just how much more absurdly powerful this young man was
"Trust me, my aliens can all do some crazy stupid stuff. Better yet; the real question is what are they not capable of when I use them." Ben replied over how the majority of his aliens could be a living terror in their own right
"Regardless, you have my thanks for helping me to train and sharpen my skills…Now that my head has been cleared more than it has in years, I have much to think about and much to do when I return." Furiosa said back knowing that there was much to do
"Like I said, if you ever need or want me to help you when I get us off planet. All you have to do is ask, and I won't really mind at all." Ben spoke as Furiosa gave a light chuckle
"If that does happen. Then good luck, for my Legion is not for the faint of heart. So much as it is for those who crave battle and bloodshed. The World Eaters live up to their name for a reason, Tennyson. As such, when I tell you to keep your guard around them. I tell you to do so not out of hostility, but because violence and aggression are far more commonplace than what you may be accustomed to." Furiosa told him in regards to the Modus Operandi of her legion
'Basically an army of Rath's from what I've been hearing. Honestly, it could be a lot worse.' Ben remarked to himself over what the World Eaters sounded like the more he heard of them
"...I think that I will be just fine." Ben spoke to the towering woman beside him
"If you believe that, then I will not warn you any further. Just know that I tried to prepare you for the worst of what is to come." Furiosa replied before Bahamut came flying in all his massive 32-foot-tall metallic glory
"Hey, Bahamut. What's crackin'?" Ben asked the draconic construct
"It appears as though you have 4 visitors approaching the area. While they are seemingly unarmed, they seem to be nonetheless of a high threat level if proven aggressive." Bahamut answered back
"What do they look like, Bahamut? I swear if its' any more monsters, then it looks like I may have to be on Fourarms duty." Ben said to the artificial intelilgence
"No, but I believe that Furiosa may potentially recognize them, and if possible know how to combat them; should the need arise for lethal action." Bahamut said as their eyes glowed neon green to show a holographic projection of 4 armored women that Furiosa recognized
"Do you know 'em, Furiosa?" Ben asked the World Eaters Matriarch
"That would be my sisters. Sekhmet Lupercal, Fulgrim, Morganna the Red, and Konstance Kurze. All four of who are incredibly dangerous and lethal in their own right." Furiosa listed off regarding the quartet in question
"Bahamut, do you know what their purpose here is?" Ben asked once more
"They say that they are looking for the 'entity' which I hypothesized is you. The reasoning behind this search I do not know. However, I would still advise caution against them." Bahamut informed him as he ended the holographic projection
"If that's the case. Do you want to come with me or stay here?...Better question, do you even want to see your sisters?" Ben asked the golden-eyed Matriarch
"I do not care either way. At the current moment, I wish to enjoy the peace that I do have. Even though the kinder ones are here, I still do not wish to see them. My relationships with them are 'complicated' as an understatement. Even I will admit that I was not a particularly good sister to nearly any of them, save for Lorna and to an extent Perturabo." Furiosa answered back knowing that her relationships with her fellow Matriarchs wasn't all that well
"If that's the case, then Bahamut can give me a lift to see what they're all about. The last thing I want is to start up a superpowered family feud." Ben said as he clambered onto Bahamut's back
"Go ahead and do whatever you want for the most part. But leave the Megaships alone, I'd rather like for our escapes out of here to remain in one piece." Ben further spoke as Furiosa nodded before Bahamut took flight once more
With said flight not taking too long for Ben to track down the Matriarch in question given how else could you miss armored women that were 8 to 9 feet+ in height and wearing various forms of armor…with one of them having skin the color of rubies. Nonetheless, Ben had Bahamut fly down to the path they were headed on which was far enough to where it things popped off he could get out in one piece, yet close enough to where words could be shared as he took in their separate appearances.
The first who caught his attention as the 4 Matriarchs saw the man they had been looking for was Morganna the Red who stood at a towering 10 foot 4 with reddish-pink skin, a glowing magenta colored eye that wore armor that looked like a mechanized Egyptian Pharoah's if he had to put a name too it. Wherein her mane of cranberry red hair flowed down to her upper back in a thick mane, as her features were nothing if not of unending arrogance and smugness, yet befit of someone that held a hunger for and a mind of near-unparaelled intelligence; that made her look like a warrior sorceress if he had to go with a look for her.
The second was noneother than Fulgrim of the Emperor's Children standing at 9 feet dead even that looked move like a mistress of high-fashion or a lady of the night that would make even the greatest actresses look like 2 dollar women of the night, with amethyst colored eyes, flowing platinum silver hair, features befitting a vain empress who knew full well of her supernatural beauty. With her wearing a suit of royal violet and golden armor that looked a cross between that of the knights of old, with golden eagle emblems emblazoned on the chest and the large wing of one on her right shoulder, yet the most perplexing thing was the fact that hers of all things had a boob window to expose her endowed 'assets'
The 3rd of which who reminded him of a more depressed female Kevin was noneother than Konstance Kurze who stood at 8 foot 10, had nearly deathly pale skin, pitch-black hair that went to the middle of her chest, with eyes black as obsidian with unnervingly bright iridescent pink scelera, where she looked somewhere between a gothic queen of the vampires with the menace of a horror-movie slasher. With her armor deep azure and gold armor being the most frightening to look at, given that other than the skulls with dried blood adorning it; that there was also what he could assume was a frayed long-skirt of human flesh hanging off the waist.
Lastly was the matriarch of the Luna Wolves herself, Sekhmet Lupercal who carried an air of near-unmatched confidence and assertiveness, who with her nearly done shoulder-length burgundy hair, bright blue eyes, and features and presence; made Ben feel like he was looking at a heavily armored clone of Wonder Woman. Granted it was one who stood at 10 foot 2 with her incredibly imposing silver-white and gold armor that with the dire-wolf pelt slung over it, made her look more like the final boss of a Star Wars game mixed with a Cannibal Corpse album; especially with what looked like demonic orange eyes over the chestplate.
"Is this the one we are looking for, Morganna?" Sekhmet asked her fellow Matriarch
"Yes, that is him…Although he looks much shorter than what I imagined." Morganna the Red remarked
"Everyone looks small compared to you, you overgrown cyclops. Then again, I'm sure he would prefer someone that isn't a psionic nightmare." Fulgrim spoke with a mocking grin
"At least I don't need to spend hours on my hair, making myself look like a lady of the night from a Pleasure World. I'm pretty sure that even a Drukhari wench doesn't spend as much time, worrying over their looks as you do." Morganna retorted as Fulgrim's eyes narrowed at the retort
"This is ironic coming from the one that uses her Psyker powers to puff herself up…Then again, I guess your eye isn't the only thing your compensating for, if you need to puff yourself up to be taller than Vulkan…That is the only thing that is bigger than you anyhow." Fulgrim shot back
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Morganna the Red questioned
"For someone who can enlarge themselves at a moments' notice. I find it hilarious that you can do nothing about your bust size. If you could make them as large as those dust-filled tomes of yours, then you would actually be lucky to find a man for once." Fulgrim responded snidely
"If the rumors about you and your legionnaires are true. Then it should be your luck that should be called into question…Here I thought you had standards o' glorious sister of mine." Morganna the Red said back with mocking venom in her voice
'Huh, I swear I'm getting flashbacks of how Gwen and I used to go at it; from these two...If that doesn't bring back memrories from when we were kids, I don't know what does. Also, if I somehow make it back home; I owe Gwen and Grandpa Max the biggest hug possible.' Ben noted to himself as he watched the two Matriarchs bicker at one another
"Enough! Both of you end your bickering right now. I will not have you make a fool of us, in front of the man we came for." Konstance Kurze spoke in annoyance of hearing her sisters bicker uselessly in front of the subject of her newfound visions
"...Konstance is right. You two can argue later, right now there are more pressing matters to attend to." Sekhmet said as she turned her attention to the Ultimatrix wielder who was entertained by their bickering
"So are you guys good now?…I mean I'm all for sibling fighting as much as the next guy. Also, to the one in purple I like the whole aesthetic you've going on!" Ben said as Fulgrim had a victorious smirk over the Night Lords Matriarch whose near perpetual frown deepened
"Yes, we are…I take it that you have created the machines that patrol here, among other things?" Sekhmet spoke to the young man before
"Mhmm. All the machines, drones, and other stuff that you guys have seen running around; is thanks to me…By the way, sorry not sorry for screwing with your friends earlier. She just really, really seemed like a massive dick and so I figured that she could be taken down a peg…or a dozen…By the way, I didn't rough her up to bad did I?" Ben told the 10 foot tall and quite frankly frightening blonde woman across from him with a mix of pride, amusement and concern
"Then it was you, then. In that case, I think that you have given a few of a good laugh. No one has had the balls to prank Leona like that in ages. So my hats off to you, whoever you are…and don't worry she is completely fine. Her ego and pride bruised, but still fine." Sekhmet spoke with a hearty chuckle
"That's a relief, anyways, who are you guys and why are you here?" Ben questioned
"I am Sekhmet Lupercal, Matriarch of the Luna Wolves, the red one is my sister Morganna the Red; Matriarch of the Thousand Sons, the gloomy one is Konstance Kurze; Matriarch of the Night Lords, and lastly is one of our greatest duelists and Matriarch of the Emperor's Children, Fulgrim." Sekhmet answered back introducing herself and the rest of her sisters
"We have come here seeking a parlay and if possible your assistance to help us get off-world." Sekhmet further spoke
"Alright, my name is Ben Tennyson, wielder of the Ultimatrix…If you guys want to do peace talks, then just hop onto Bahamut and I'll take you back to my safehouse." Ben told them
"What in the Emperor's name is a…Nevermind." Sekhmet began to wonder before the imposing form of said construct flew down quick as a bolter being fired
"Come on, it won't take long to get us there...I just hope you guys don't get air-sick too easily." Ben called over as the Matriarchs did so and climbed on
(Roughly 1 hour later, 2:20 Pm, Ben's Safehouse)
It would then be roughly an hour and change later after Ben and the 4 Matriarchs got situated, with them leaving their Power Armor and weapons to the way side; given that the one condition Ben had was that no weapons or such were brought, given that if they were to really make this peaceful then he wanted it to be as such completely.
"So let me get this straight, the only thing that the 4 of you want or rather…12 or so want. Is too partner up with me and help you guys get off planet? That's it?" Ben asked as he found it odd to be looking up at the four incredibly strong women before him
"Correct. We simply wish to return home and to our legions. It is incredibly important that we return to them." Sekhmet answered back
"I kind of already got that from your sister, Furiosa." Ben told the 4 of them
"So you have talked with her? Is she alright?" Sekhmet asked in concern for the state of Furiosa
"Yeah, she's fine. Don't get me wrong she went murder-crazy trying to kill me, when those things in her head..the Butchers' Nails she called 'em; went all crazy. So we had a big fight where I lured her away from my stuff, I knocked unconscious, took her back here to get her all healed up, and while I was doing that I figured after I saw what kind of tech was in her head. That I may as well go for broke and do some surgery so she won't go crazy again…Cut to almost a day and a half of really nerve-wracking surgery where I get those things out of her, and just like that she's good as new and healed." Ben told the now-surprised Matriarchs at how he not only downed a Matriarch but removed the Butchers' Nails as well from her
"After that, and her telling me a bit about what your Imperium is like, and what she's supposed to do as a Matriarch. We've been getting to know each other ever since…She's really nice, when she's not trying to take your head off with chainsaw-axes." Ben further spoke
"You removed the Butcher's Nails from her; without her dying?!" Konstance Kurze spoke with a level of surprise that was shared by the Matriarchs present
"Yep! It was a bit touch-and-go while I was doing it. But I pulled it off and she's good as new." Ben replied as though it were something he did on another Tuesday
"If this is all true. Then how did you manage such a thing?...Understand that, what you have done is something that not even the Emperor himself could achieve without repercussions. Yet you claim to do so, and that she stands in perfect health." Sekhmet said with some amount of skepticism in her voice
"What can say, I am just that good. Not to mention that I have some pretty good teachers to make a good surgeon. It isn't the first time, I've performed it on somebody and so far I've made damn sure that everyone who leaves off my table. Is all good to go in one piece…I prefer to be good at everything I do, so that when I get it done; I can make a masterclass off what I'm good at." Ben said back with all the confidence and pride that came from years of hard work
'If he's half as good as he says. Then he would be perfect for my legion.' Were the thoughts of an intrigued Fulgrim
"If that is true, then I would like to see Furiosa myself. It has been a month since we have 'landed' here, and I want to make sure of it myself that she is in good condition. She is one of my sisters, and to hear that you performed nothing short of a miracle has my utmost attention." Sekhmet requested of the Ultimatrix wielder
"Sure no problem, I'll take you to her once we're done here." Ben told the leader of the Luna Wolves
"This also brings up a question we have for you. How did you end up on this planet, we did not see a starship or any signs of travel through the warp?" Fulgrim asked curious as to how Ben came to be here
"If anything it is nothing short of fascinating that someone such as yourself, has managed to survive heree without any Imperial help. Yet has created machines, weaponry and other such things that would catch even Hypatia's interest. So tell us, Ben Tennyson how did you get here?" Fulgrim further asked
"That's a bit complicated, since that's a story within another story. On top of the fact that I am going to need your guys's word, that when I show you more of what I can do. That you won't throw a tantrum about it…Furiosa told me how you guys are about aliens." Ben replied as he began shifting through aliens
"Are you a Xenos?" Morganna the Red asked
"Not exactly, I can transform into over 400 of them…Its better if I show you to be honest." Ben said before transforming into Heatblast much to the surprise of the Matriarchs
"By the Emperor, how did you do that?!" Sekhmet said legitimately taken aback whilst Morganna had a look of fascination upon her face
"Like I just said, I have the ability to turn into over 400 aliens. Not to mention, Heatblast here isn't even my strongest one and I can turn a continent to ash with him in under a minute." Heatblast replied before turning back to normal in an instant
"A better question is how do you transform into these aliens? I've never seen anything like this, even the Adeptus Mechanicus doesn't have technology to do something like this." Morganna the Red asked her single eye beaming in fascination
"It's thanks to something that one of my mentors, Albedo, built for me. It's called the Ultimatrix, it contains the d.n.a of over a million alienx\s in it; that I can transform into…Some that I don't turn into for safety reasons." Ben told the one-eyed Matriarch who looked more excited than anything else
"What are one of those reasons?" Konstance Kurze asked
"One of them can drive people insane by just looking at it; in under 5 minutes. Then I have Clockwork who literally controls time, and so many others that if I'm not careful…Then I can say goodbye to the galaxy, then that's a whole Alien X situation all over again, and I'd rather not deal with another Celestialsapien incident." Ben said albeit the whole Alien X bit was much more too himself
"But, with all that out of the way. I hope you understand why I want not just yours, but everyones' word that if I help you. That I'm not gonna get witch-hunted by either of you or your sisters. Then I have no problem helping you guys off planet. Better yet, I told Furiosa that I'd help her with anything she needed, since she was cool with what I do…So if you want my help, then using my aliens to do what I do is non-negotiable." Ben further spoke seeing his aliens as every bit a part of himself
"If that is the only condition that you have. Then I see no reason why it cannot be met…What of the rest of you?" Sekhmet spoke looking toward her sisters
"If he is every bit as capable to defeat Furiosa by himself. I do not see the harm in letting him do as we wishes. Besides, he already recognizes me as one of the most beautiful among us…Not to mention, he is rather handsome as well as capable." Fulgrim said in agreement with a smile of 'devious' intentions toward Ben
"Can you restrain yourself for even 5 minutes, Fulgrim? We are trying to convince to help us, not become like your last 2 suitors." Sekhmet admonished whilst Konstance was giving her the meanest glare imaginable that would wilt a lesser man seconds
"Oh come now, I'm only kidding…at least for now." Fulgrim said playing it off as a harmless jest
"I would be ecstatic to learn more about your Xenos forms! More importantly, I want to know how you came to be of this…Oooohhhh, I have some many questions to ask of you, that I cannot wait to have answered!" Morganna the Red spoke with an intensity that took Ben aback from it coming from a giant red woman
"I am more than happy to answer any questions you have about me. But could you tone it down a bit, I rather like having my personal space." Ben requested as Morganna in her excitement had floated over to Ben to the point of being mere centimeters away
"Morganna, remove yourself from him now. You are being rude, and this is coming from me. You will stop your useless pestering or there will be consequences if you do not." Konstance Kurze threatened in refusal to let anyone scare away her chosen to be
"Very well." Was Morganna the Red's response as she floated back to her seat
"As for myself, I do not mind your ability to turn into aliens at all. Although, I would like to talk to you more in private…It is something that I must talk to you about alone." Konstance Kurze spoke
"It is not a problem at all. But it'll have to wait until after I show your friend here to Furiosa…Do you have a problem with that?" Ben told the Night Lords Matriarch
"No, that is not a problem." Was Konstance Kurze's response
"Great. And the only other conditions I have are stuff, I can bring up when you guys want me to meet the rest of your sisters. Otherwise, I will be happy to help you guys get off planet." Ben said back
"That is good to hear. Furthermore, you have my word that you will be compensated for your help. My honor as a Matriarch and servant of the Imperium, will not allow someone that has agreed to help us; go without reward…Whatever you request as your compensation upon our return, I will see too it that it is met." Sekhmet said in refusal of letting Ben's help go unrewarded
"Hey, whatever you think is good enough, is fine by me. I will be happy with whatever you guys are willing to give…Honestly, I'm just happy to see the galaxy and what its like out there." Ben replied curious to see what this version of things was like
"Believe me, you will not be disappointed. In the meantime, I believe that you and Konstance wish to speak in private." Sekhmet said knowing that the Night Lords Matriarch wished to do so
"Sure no problem. But I'd rather do that after we had lunch, I made some for all of you just in case anyone got hungry." Ben replied
"If you are as skilled at cooking as you are at miracles regarding Furiosa. Then I must see what you have made for us." Fulgrim spoke
"I would not mind, either. Perhaps you can tell us more about yourself." Morganna the Red added
"I have a lot to talk about, so I don't mind…What about the rest of you, do you want to join?" Ben asked the other two Matriarchs
"That sounds rather nice…I would like to use this to know you better as well." Answered the Night Lords Matriarch
"You have been gracious enough to agree to help us of your own volition. I see no reason why we cannot do so. Besides, I will admit that I have grown rather hungry." Sekhmet spoke as if to amplify her point her stomach rumbled
'At least I made enough for everyone…Thank you, forward-thinking, I don't know what I'd do without you.' Ben said to himself knowing he was going to have his hands full feeding 4 or rather 5 Matriarchs
(3 hours later, Ben's Safehouse, 6:00 Pm)
It would be quite a bit later into the day after lunch was had between the Matriarchs and Ben, the former of whom for the most part had unexpectedly come down with a case of 'The Itis' and as such were out of commission for a few hours. Which had left Konstance Kurze and Sekhmet as the only ones who were able to recover while Fulgrim and Morganna the Red were absolutely out of it, as such it left Ben and the Night Lords Matriarch some time to each other while Sekhmet tended to her sisters.
"So, now that we have this time to ourselves, Mrs. Kurze. What did you want to talk to me about?" Ben asked the demure yet nonetheless terrifying Konstance Kurze
"This is an awkward subject to approach you with, but it is one that I knew I could not say in front of my sisters…They are not the most receptive to my gifts." Konstance Kurze answered back
"Are you psychic or something?" Ben asked somewhat confused
"Yes and no, one of my abilities allows me to see the future…However, this gift has only allowed me to see the most grim and sinister of futures. Which in combination with my upbringing; on my homeworld. It has left me hopeless for a better future for myself." Konstance Kurze told him in regards to her visions
"Yet since we have come here at the same time you arrived. My visions have changed and you…you were at the forefront of each one of them. More importantly, we were together in these newfound visions of mine." Konstance Kurze further spoke
"And what were we doing together?...Sorry, I am still processing the whole you having psychic doomsday visions." Ben questioned
"We were together as…lovers of sorts. The visions change from our being together on romantic nights, fighting together with a closeness rarely few could match, even raising children together. Yet the common thread between, and I wish to explore that with you." Konstance Kurze admitted to the Ultimatrix wielder
"I have not known happiness with anyone, but with you; I believe that there is hope yet for me to experience that. And I wish to request of you, that you help me to find and to know happiness. To know what joy unconditional feels like, I-I do not care if this becomes platonic, romantic or something more. But what I do know is that these visions that I have of you continue to grow only strong, and I ask that you would consider it." Konstance Kurze almost pleaded in wanting to have someone to show her what things such as joy and happiness as what most of her sisters experienced felt like
"Wow…that's…that is a lot to drop on a person. No offense, but being told that you might possibly get hitched to a giant warrior woman is a lot." Ben said as he took a few moments to absorb the full weight of what she wanted of him
"I know that the request that I am making is outrageously high in its demand. To ask you to commit that much of yourself to me, a person you have hardly known. But know that if you do accept my request, you shall never want for anything, and that I will personally do what I can to show you I am worthy of your affections." Konstance Kurze replied in wanting more than anything to make the visions where her happiness was a certainty come true with all in heart
"How about we meet somewhere in the middle and slow things down a bit, and get to know each other more? Because, I am in no condition to accept a serious relationship right now." Ben said before looking up at the large pale-faced woman
"But what I can tell you is that I am more than happy to get to know you. You seem like you have a good heart, Konstance…I have a good feeling in the pit of my stomach, that you are a great woman who can do a lot of great things, and has a really sweet heart. So while I can't be the man who can give you a family or go on dates with you…for now. I can get to know you and be someone you can lean on, and we work our way up to what you see in your visions…If that's ok with you." Ben further spoke as he knew it would be disingenuous if he said yes and hooked up with the Night Lords Matriarch right out of the gate
"That is more than acceptable. I do not mind knowing you as you are, Ben Tennyson. I have hopes that in time, we can know each other well enough to become something more than companions…Although, I must warn you, the truth of what I am and what I do is not a pleasant one." Konstance Kurze warned the Ultimatrix wielder
The Matriarch of the Night Lords was more than self aware of the fact that what she did as both the leader of her legion, and as her alter-ego 'The Night Haunter' was more than enough to horrify any sane person…all she hoped was that Ben would be willing to stay alongside her despite the darkness and dread that lay in her heart.
"Trust me, I have been with more than my fair share of bad apples. Some of them were not the most 'pleasant' people I've known, but they still were people I could trust to do the right thing overall. So regardless of whatever truth you have. I am more than willing to stick with you, to see the good lady I know is underneath." Ben said with enough hope in his voice that it made the usually dreary Konstance give a rare non malicious smile
"Thank you, my single hope once we get off this planet. Is that you will still feel that same way about me…If my sister Furiosa has been honest with you, about what our duties are in the greater galaxy. Then I will still warn you, that what you will see us do to preform our duties is not for the faint of heart…While each of us may have duties unique to our legions, it is all the same something that can never be taken lightly." Konstance Kurze spoke knowing that regardless of the Legion that what she and her sisters did wasn't something that most would take pride in especially concerning her and the Night Lords
"I have been in more than my fair share of battles, Konstance. So whatever may come once we get out of here. I will help you and your sisters face it together…I wouldn't be much of a hero, if I didn't help out where I could." Ben told her with a smile full of resolve and hope that she felt something in her heart almost beat double at seeing such a rare thing
"Hopefully, you are what the Imperium needs. It has been centuries since anyone has seen a true hero." Konstance Kurze said her smile growing ever so slightly
"Well, I hope its' ready. Because regardless of where I'm at, its always Hero Time!" Ben said back with a level of measured optimism that for once in Konstance Kurze's life lit a spark of optimism in her heart
'Perhaps, one day you can be mine and show me how to be something better.' Konstance Kurze said to herself as they continued to converse with one another
(The following day, Karakinos, May 26th, 950. M30, 3:10 Pm)
It would be the following day later as Sekhmet who stood a foot shorter but nonetheless at an imposing 9 foot 10 without her armor, strode alongside Ben to talk with Furiosa who was in the midst of practicing with Gorefather and Gorechild.
"There she is, Miss. Sekhmet, just as promised." Ben said as he gestured to Furiosa who showed an almost focused but instinctive use of her twin Chainaxes
"Thank you, Tennyson." Sekhmet replied glad to see that her sister was in safe hands
"No problem. Just be careful with her, I don't want her to get roughed up to bad…I didn't to all that work in making sure her headcase is all good. Just to have it undone." Ben told the Luna Wolves Matriarch
"I understand, and you have my word that nothing will happen to her." Sekhmet swore to the Ultimatrix wielder
"Alright, just let me go over and tell her that you're here." Ben told Sekhmet as he did just that
From there on the Luna Wolves matriarch watched as a brief conversation ensued between the World Eaters matriarch and the Hero of the Andromeda Galaxy, which while short-and-concise in its length, had Furiosa go through a small change of emotions that were not of rage nor utter ire; which nearly felt alien to look at from Sekhmet's purview; from concern, worry, happiness to reluctance. All before Ben gave her the go-ahead to come over and talk with her, which Sekhmet did so as her sister put away her chainaxes to talk with her fellow Matriarch; who for once had not an expression colored by wrath and spiteful rage, but was calm and almost unnervingly relaxed which was a…odd adjustment.
"So it is true, you are free of those accursed nails?" Sekhmet asked as she looked at Furiosa
"It is, that man did what our pompous tyrant of a father could or rather would not…Now that I am free of them, I can finally have a peace of mind that I never thought possible. It is strange to not have my ever-waking moment surge with red-hot fire and blood that claws at my mind like a ravenous beast. Yet it is a feeling that I do not miss all the same." Furiosa answered back in still feeling almost off-kilter
"I owe him a great debt of gratitude for giving me a freedom, I never thought possible. I can finally express so many things beyond murderous rage, unyielding fury and all consuming desires for carnage. Now I can experience what is to feel sadness, what joy separate from battle-lust may feel like, and all such other motions that were robbed of me." Furiosa further spoke in having felt an almost unexplainable sense of change now that the Butcher's Nails were gone
"That is good, Furiosa. Now that you are healed from those damned nails, I hope that we can be on a better accord…No offense, but you were not the most sociable out of us." Sekhmet said as a toothy grin was given
"I can more than acknowledge that I was lacking in social graces. Perhaps, you can teach me how to do so, Sekhmet. Just make sure that I do not turn into a preening bitch like Fulgrim, or someone who has the personality of ceramite like Rogal or Leona…Especially, Leona, that woman sends chills even down my spine." Furiosa requested in regards to her fellow Matriarchs
"Did…Did I just hear you make a crack at our sisters?" Sekhmet spoke with a amused smirk on her face
"Yes, as it turns out. Now that I am no longer a rage-made monster of a woman. I have found a sense of humor that Tennyson has helped me to acquire." Was Furiosa's response
"Hmph, as long as you don't make terrible jokes like Guliman, then I will be happy to hear more from you…I love Minerva, but her puns are terrible. I think I would rather watch a Drukhari practice chasity than hear another of them." Sekhmet joked in getting a small bit of laughter from the World Eaters Matriarch
"That would be hilarious, yes. However, I feel as though even that might be pushing it. I would rather take Minerva's terrible puns than hear Rogal attempt one. She may be a great architect, but she has the personality of a plasteel." Furiosa said back
"Fair enough, Rogal never was one for witty banter or humor."Sekhmet acknowledged
"Still, I do have to ask. Now that you are free of the Nails thanks to our new companions' help. What will you do once we return to Terra? We still have our Legions' to lead, and a more than telling report to make to the Emperor." Sekhmet questioned her once berserker of a sister
"I cannot say what I will do once we return. But one of my few plans that I do have, is to repay him for what he did. He preformed a miracle to allow me freedom of thought once more, and I intend to repay him in full. Not to mention he bested me in single combat, Sekhmet. Something that save you, Leona, Sanguinius, or Freya could match or surpass me in." Furiosa spoke knowing that out of the Matriarchs only those 4 could equal or surpass her martially
"In our defense, you do not make it easy to do so. If anything it would take a company full of Astartes clad in Terminator armor, flanked by Dreadnoughts and a few Warhound Titans to keep you down. The one defining trait that I admire about you, is the fact that you are an indomitable juggernaut in combat…Something that even Fulgrim for all of her flamboyance or the Khan for their immense speed, cannot argue against." Sekhmet replied regarding the unyielding fore of martial might that was Furiosa
"That is something I will not argue against. However, despite that, I hope to improve further than what I once was. My battle against Ben showed me that for all of my resilience, my immeasurable fury, and skill; that I can still be overcome by those who are unconventional or more skilled than I. Which is why, I must better myself now and once we return to Terra…Our enemies will not show me the same mercy that he did." Furiosa spoke knowing that she was lucky Ben was as merciful as he was
"I still find it hard to believe that you of all people were bested by a human. While I do not doubt that he is formidable in his own right. The fact that he wields power of that caliber is nothing if not staggering to believe." Sekhmet spoke still finding the fact to be nothing short of incredible
"He is someone that I would not dare to underestimate. Even in my berserk state; it was nothing to stop him, from controlling the fight. Between blasting me with flames nearly as strong as a volcano cannon, to assaulting with gravity so intense, I thought my bones with shatter under their own weight. To unleashing sonic attacks so powerful that I thought my innards with explode…that once my mind was given clarity. That I realized that he is much, much more dangerous than what he lets on." Furiosa told Sekhmet who now had a much more studious look on her features
"What are you suggesting that we do with him, then?" Sekhmet inquired regarding the emerald-eyed young man
"That we keep him as an ally and friend. To have him as an enemy who is not only powerful enough to defeat me with impunity. But cunning and intelligent enough to create robots and weapons from scrap, tear the Nails from my skull, and heal me better than any of the Emperor's greatest medics…I say this with all due respect, Sekhmet." Furiosa spoke her golden eyes looking back at her sisters
"That to have him as an enemy, will not destroy the Imperium. But it will weaken us so greatly, that we will be left as easy targets for the likes of the Eldar, the Necrons and any other threat out there…If he could defeat me with a level of impunity because he wished to be merciful. Then think what he could do to us, our tyrant of a father, and the Imperium; should his rage be turned towards it?" Furiosa further spoke as Sekhmet's features from the utter seriousness of her sisters' tone of voice schooled into the master tactician befitting of the Emperor's greatest battlemistress
Wherein Sekhmet Lupercal from what little she had seen and the description of Ben's feat of defeating Furiosa in single combat, on top of his ingeuniity to do what he had done so far, on top of the information of what little he'd told us as a commander of his own company and fighter against Xenos hordes. The Lupercal knew that with someone who held that level of power and skill in their hands, put into perspective not only Furiosa's words, but what Leona had said in regards to Ben as a danger overall…for if he could do all of this when he was being merciful; then what was he capable of when acting fully serious.
"You make an excellent point, sister. Which is why, I will make doubly sure to keep him in the good graces of the Imperium. The very last thing we need is someone who even when not serious, can embarrass someone such as Leona." Sekhmet spoke as the context of Leona's words now carried much more weight now that she fully took in what Furiosa had to say
"This also means keeping him out of the Emperor's plans…Our father is many things, but even you know how horrible of a man he can be." Were Furiosa's biting words
"While I do not share your sentiments with our father…On some level, I can agree that staying him out of our fathers' plans for the future would be best. He still does not know the full levity of what the Imperium is, and our father for all of his grand designs, can be overbearing and without tact." Sekhmet said self-aware enough to know that her father was a prideful and often overbearingly intense man
"Don't forget about being a rotten bastard too." Furiosa added
"...Be that as it may. I believe that our best course of action for him, is to have him be better informed of things. Otherwise, once he learns the harsher truths of what we do. Then I fear we may turn away a valuable ally." Sekhmet spoke regarding the Ultimatrix wielders' joining of their Great Crusade
"At least that we can agree upon. I would rather not have ourselves be let without someone of high value as he." Furiosa spoke her voice despite being less rough and venomous still carried the weight of a stern general ready to strike
"...Nonetheless, Furiosa. I am glad to see you in better health. Now that you are able to act at far higher capacity than ever. I will be glad to help you better yourself if you truly wish…You may be a great warrior, but there is still much you can learn regarding tactics and strategy." Sekhmet offered to the World Eaters Matriarch
"I would not mind learning how to be more effective on the battlefield…With my ability to have a clear mind, I know that how I and my legion engage in combat could use improvement. We may be great warriors, without fail that can leave armies annihilated in our wake. But even I must recognize that there is great room for improvement to be made on all fronts to our methods." Furiosa replied
"In whichever ways possible, I am willing to learn from you in the ways of warcraft and battle tactics. If I am to become an even greater warrior without my rage restraining me to acting as a raging behemoth. Then I cannot afford to stagnate in only what has worked thus far…My 'fight' against Ben has shown me that much upon reflecting." Furiosa further spoke as Sekhmet smiled widely at being able to mentor her sister in her specialty
"I would be honored to teach you, Furiosa…Finally, we have a chance to bond with one another. This is going to be the beginning of something great." Sekhmet said excited to finally have something to bond with Furiosa over
"Thank you. I cannot promise that I will be anything prodigious, but you have my word that I will do the best I can." Furiosa spoke back
"Your best is all that I ask, sister. It is all that I ask from anyone, from my sons and daughters in the lowest ranks of my Legions, to my chapter masters that help me to lead it. To my fellow Matriarchs in Sanguinius, Branwen, Fulgrim, and Lorna. For anyone to give it their all when they are alongside me, is all that I will ask of anyone." Sekhmet said with such passion and conviction in her voice that it once again reminded the Red Angel of how the Lupercal came to be such a charismatic force of personality
"Now I can see how you are beloved by so many. Your charisma and optimism are astonishing." Furiosa said back as her sister smirked
"It takes more than that to lead others to the best of their abilities. But enough of that, we have much to discuss, Furiosa. If we are to work together, now that you are clear of mind. Then there is much to do, so by all means let us get on with it!" Sekhmet spoke with such a commanding presence that Furiosa couldn't help but to listen to the invigorating words of the Lupercal
So with Ben having met with some of the Matriarchs and laid the foundations down for how things are to be done in allying himself with them, alongside his exchange of words with Konstance Kurze and Furiosa and Sekhmet Lupercal having a talk of their own. It seems that the meeting of the Matriarchs was a success, but how will Ben fare once he meets more of the Matriarchs? Stay tuned and find out in the all-new installments of, Ultimate Alien: Primarch Force!
Now then onto some of the reviews from the last chapter.
Skull Flame: Also, sorry for Furiosa accidentally name-dropping those two; it was an accident that happened when I was making edits...should probably stop listening to 40K podcasts while I do this too. But rest assured, Ben will soon be having a face-to-face with one of the Ruinous powers in due time. Also, it makes sense with how much of a fuck-show that the Incurseans get into that they and some other races would have Butcher Nails equivalents out in the world. By the way, I knew about the whole Eye of Terror thing, but not the whole decimation bit...which given how Perturabo acted during the time of the Great Crusade/rediscovery; it makes sense. Also, this version of Ben (whose age I moved up from 28-33 since it made sense given how it would've been at an age where Ben is at his height of being this version of Ben 10K) would challenge a Chaos God, since to him its just another enemy he has to beat, only this time its an endurance match to see how long he can get it done against them.
Kourtney Uzu Yato: Yup, Furiosa is Nails free and actually thanks to Ben has all of her brain intact; since he used his aliens during the surgery to regrow it from what was ripped out to install the Butchers' Nails, so expect a more chilled out Furiosa to come...still angry, but more 'friendly'. Also, that's right we had a Fulgrim and Konstance heart-to-heart, which I thought would be nice, given that out of everyone I feel like Fulgrim would be the one to be one of if not Konstance's only friends, due to it being beneath her to belittle someone who life has already kicked the holy heck out of...Also, I can't wait for Ben and Khorne's inevitable meeting either; its gonna be great!
The Disquieting One (1-3): Glad you liked it after giving the story a second chance. Also, first and foremost I will NOT be giving Ben any Daemon forms, due to the fact that, with how funky Chaos is; it wouldn't make sense to give him something that is inherently unstable on a genetic level as a transformation that could mess with his other transformations as well. Also, for the Aeldari that's gonna be a decently difficult sell for them to convince Ben for their help...since I don't think Ben is gonna take it too well when he hears from them on why they want it; given that there is only so much that can be glossed over when they literally murder-fucked an eldritch horror in existence. Also, there is always the possibility that Ben can come back to his homeworld its just gonna be a lot of effort; given that while this is an older Ben (who I have made 33 instead of 28 since I wanted him to be the version who has been at the Ben 10K stage of things for a hot minute) that he can't immediately do so. Due to the fact that he doesn't know what's out there and that if he tries any nonsense to do so, he may wind up bringing Chaos stuff along with him and that'll be a whole other nightmare to begin with. Also, I am doing a harem but not an outrageously sized one, because I wanted to see where it goes and actually have there be ripple effects that came from it. Lastly, I don't see Ben buckling to Big E anytime soon, given that with how much he's had to go through, deal with and overcome...I doubt Big E would get him to kneel by just psionically telling him too, since it would be more of a 'You'll have to fucking make me if you want me to bow down to you, you golden hack' type of energy.
Ripple247: Glad you liked how I had Furiosa cured, since it made since to me that Ben would use all Aliens as needed to make sure that she was given a full recovery, and the best chance to be at full strength. Given that he didn't really want to risk how extensive damage was after he fixed her up, and so went at it with the best combination that he had at his disposal. Also, Konstance and Ben have met and now we can begin things in helping Konstance to try to be better...key word try.
Obsidian Nova Arc: Yeah, Ben and the Aeldari...especially once he finds out about Slaanesh and how they came to be; well let's just say that Ben is gonna be some mix of angry, disgusted, horrified, repulsed, furious that they were so down-bad that they created an an Eldritch horror; that makes Quagmire look like Mr. Rogers, as such he would consider just spawn-wiping them if they push it.
Alright, that'll do it for this one as I hope all of you enjoyed this chapter and everything that went in it, as we finish a chapter that turned out a lot better than what I thought it would when doing so. Hence why its gonna be one helluva doozy when I write the following chapter and what that entails…But as always, thank you guys for sticking around to see the hot-mess I'm making with this crossover, because as my diving into Warhammer continues oh boy does it get even more weirdly fucked!
So without further delays this is Pravus666 signing off until next time, as next up will be Part 2 to Ben meeting the Matriarchs, and everything that comes along with it; so stay tuned for all of that good stuff.
Part 1 Theme Song: Black out the Sun by Sevendust
Random End Song: Mother Sky by Twelve Foot Ninja