Chapter 19: Once Upon a Swap
Hey everyone! I'm back with a new chapter! This one was fun to write, and I tried my best to create my own version of this story. I hope I did a good job! Sorry it took me a while—I've been focusing on other stories and life stuff. But anyway, sit back, relax, review, and enjoy!
Earlier that day, the Boiling Isles marketplace was as lively and chaotic as ever. A group of shopkeepers argued over a bottle of "snake oil," each one claiming it had miraculous powers. In the heat of the scuffle, one of them slipped, accidentally sending the bottle flying. As it crashed to the ground, it bounced off a stack of crates, hitting an experiment containment orb labeled 657.
The orb rolled off the stall and into a nearby puddle, starting to bubble ominously. Within moments, a creature began to materialize inside, rapidly growing in size until it burst free with a loud pop. Standing in the center of the puddle was Experiment 657—a creature with bright green eyes, horns shaped like lightning bolts, wheels for feet, and a long, whip-like tail. This little experiment was built for one thing: super speed.
With a mischievous glint in his eyes, Experiment 657 took off at lightning speed, zooming through the marketplace and leaving a trail of chaos in his wake. Stalls were knocked over, potions spilled, and magical artifacts scattered as the experiment zipped around, kicking up dust and sending everyone into a frenzy.
We find ourselves In the market,in the bustling market, where Jake and Stitch were sitting with Ben and Rook, admiring some cool magical items on display.
Jake picked up a small crystal orb, watching it glimmer under the market lights. "Whoa...look at this one! I think it actually glows in the dark!"
Ben leaned over, inspecting the orb. "You know, it kind of reminds me of that time we fought the alien sorcerer with energy crystals. This could be useful."
Stitch's ears perked up as he examined a shiny amulet nearby, his eyes wide with fascination. "Ooh, sparkly! Meega like!"
Rook tilted his head thoughtfully. "These magical items certainly hold intriguing properties. We could probably adapt some of them for our own technology."
"Yeah, I think you guys would like that," Jake said as he slipped the crystal into his pocket. Just then, King stood up on the table, leaping up to try to grab a flag hanging above, but fell short.
"Stupid flag!" King growled, just as Luz walked up holding a large board.
"It's been a little slow around here, but I've got just the thing to attract customers," Luz announced, pressing light glyphs on the board, revealing a light-up sign with Eda's face winking at them. "And who doesn't like their name in lights?"
"Bootifa, Luz!" Stitch said, staring wide-eyed at the lights.
"Cool," Jake added.
"Wow," Ben muttered, shielding his eyes.
"Perhaps these lights are a bit too bright," Rook commented.
Luz climbed down, turning to the group. "What do you guys think? Is it too subtle?"
"Does subtle mean ugly?" Boscha asked from the other side of the table, her and her gang watching them with smirks.
"Hey, Boscha, Hexsidians, see anything you like?" Luz asked.
"Ew. No, I'm just here to take an ironic Penstagram photo with your weird flashing trash sign," Boscha said, snapping a selfie.
"That's not funny," Ben said, frowning.
"Oh, what are you gonna do? Spit your human venom on me?" Boscha asked with a sneer.
"You three have venom? Quick! Start melting faces!" King commanded.
"Yeah, we can't do that, but I think I have an alien that does," Ben said, activating the Omnitrix.
"And even if we could, it's not worth it. You wouldn't understand how to handle teens like her," Luz said, crossing her arms.
"No, I'll show you what to do," King said, climbing onto the table. "You will tremble before me!"
"Ih, 'tremble' is Graazi ," Stitch added with a huff.
"Aww, these two are so cute," Boscha said, picking up both Stitch and King and posing for a selfie. "How much? I have to own them, especially the blue one. He's so cute."
"And fluffy," Stitch said, trying to wiggle away from her grip.
King managed to wriggle free, landing back on the table. "You couldn't afford me, sister," he declared, making the teenagers chuckle.
"Aww," they said in unison.
"That's the incorrect reaction!" King snapped, clearly irritated.
"And Stitch is not for sale! Give him back," Jake demanded as Stitch, taking matters into his own hands, licked Boscha's face with a big glob of alien slobber.
"Ugh, you can have him back!" Boscha shrieked, dropping Stitch onto the ground.
Popping her head out of the tent, Eda sniffed the air. "I smell an easy mark," she said before stepping out to greet them. "Hey, kid! Can I interest you in the latest fashions from…" She waved her hands, conjuring a magic puff that transformed her into a random assortment of human clothes. "The human world?"
"Yeah, no," Boscha scoffed as her group laughed and walked away.
"Well, I hate her," Eda grumbled, dispelling the clothes.
"We all do," Jake muttered.
"Yeah, teens can be sour, but lucky for you, we're little sweeties. Check out what I made!" Luz said, pointing proudly at her sign.
"Luz!" Eda gasped, grabbing the sign and ripping it down.
"Did I spell something wrong? Or did I actually spell something right?" Luz smirked.
"Stop that! You may be forgetting something, Luz. I'm kinda on the run! Remember?" Eda replied, showing her wanted poster. "Every guard in town would be at my doorstep if I had my name in lights! And don't forget about Asher and Finn, my two nephews!"
"I still feel bad for them. They've got to deal with all that 'family' drama," Jake said, thinking about Asher and Finn.
"That's one thing you don't need to worry about," Eda assured. "The Longclaws never come down here to hang out with us common folk. They stick to the hoity-toity parts of the Boiling Isles. They're safe over here."
"I hope so," Jake replied with a sigh.
"Maybe you're just being paranoid. I mean, there's no one else around, and you're a powerful witch! Why hide when you can poof all your problems away with magic?" Luz asked.
"What does Luz know about problems anyway?" King grumbled. "All she has is dumb teen drama! She doesn't understand how hard some of us have it."
"You're pampered all day like a baby. How hard is that life?" Eda asked, crossing her arms.
"Well, I don't know if you noticed, but I'm *not* a baby!" King snapped.
"Could have fooled me," Ben chuckled.
"Then why are you yelling like one?" Luz teased.
"She's got you there," Jake laughed.
"My life is a living nightmare!" King shouted dramatically.
"Well, there's only one thing to do when friends can't see eye to eye," Eda said.
"Sit down and talk about it?" Jake suggested.
"Take a breather from each other and go have fun?" Ben added.
"Maybe we should check on your nephews?" Rook suggested.
"Eat some coconut cake?" Stitch offered.
"Hug each other until we pass out?" Luz asked, pulling Jake, Stitch, Ben, Rook, and King into a big group hug.
"Fight to the death!" King yelled.
"No, body swap!" Eda declared.
Everyone paused, glancing at each other.
"Are you sure none of you shoot venom?" King asked, looking hopeful.
"I'm out," Jake said, wiggling free. "Come on, Stitch."
"Okie-taka!" Stitch said, breaking away from the hug.
"Right behind you," Ben said. "You three have issues, not us."
"Yeah, I'm with Ben on this one," Rook agreed.
"Fine, you four can be the judges. Ah, I love a good body swap!" Eda grinned.
"We're actually doing that? Is that possible? This is just like my favorite early 2000s movie *Freaky Fraturday*!" Luz smiled excitedly.
"Aggaba," Jake interrupted. "Uh, Luz, remember what happened in the movie? Maybe you guys should think about this a bit more," he suggested.
"Hm, you might have a point," Luz paused.
"Body swap!" Eda shouted as a golden beam shot down on her, Luz, and King, creating a cloud of smoke.
"Ooh! Did it work? I need a mirror," Luz's voice said, emerging from the smoke and stumbling into the mirror. "Found it."
When the smoke cleared, Jake, Stitch, Ben, and Rook's eyes widened at the sight of Luz's voice coming from Eda's body.
"I don't believe it. I'm so old! And my ears are so pointy...even pointier than Jake's!" Luz said, looking down at Eda's body.
"Yeah, and I'm the human now!" King exclaimed, now in Luz's body. "Bow before my massive meaty hands!"
"Oh my god," Jake shuddered.
"This is just creepy...and I can turn into different aliens," Ben cringed.
"This is making me feel uncomfortable," Rook added.
"Emba-chua," Stitch mumbled, equally disturbed.
"Wait a minute. If I'm Eda and you're me, then that means Eda is…" Luz said, trailing off as Eda, now in King's body, cleared her throat.
"How do I look?" Eda asked with a smirk.
"I've got some very confusing emotions right now," King muttered.
"Tell me about it. I don't even know how to react," Ben added.
"Alright, here's the deal," Eda announced. "Whoever can prove their new body has the easiest life gets out of house-cleaning duty. And you know what that means."
"Cleaning Hooty," Jake muttered as they all shuddered at the thought.
"Why does he have to keep rolling in mud?" Ben sighed.
"Won't be me! Life as a teen is a tyrant's dream! By the end of the day, I'll be ruling over your feeble demographic," King boasted.
"Well, I've got magic. Eda, don't be too mad when your inventory's gone and the guards are none the wiser," Luz said, tracing a circle with her finger and accidentally shooting a blast of magic, forcing Jake to duck.
"Jake, since you, Stitch, Ben, and Rook don't have any...current issues, you four can be the neutral judges. If any of us feels like backing out, you guys make a note of it," Eda said.
"Sounds good to me," Ben agreed.
"Okie-taka," Stitch chimed in.
"Fine by me, I guess," Jake shrugged.
"Alright, Miss Eda," Rook said politely.
"If you need me, I'll be getting pampered on a vacation fit for a king," Eda said, walking off.
"My life is not a joke!" King yelled after her, then turned to Luz. "But yours is. Boop!" He bopped Luz on the nose before dashing off.
"So, you guys want to stick around and watch me rake in the sales?" Luz asked.
"Uh, no thanks. I think I'm gonna check on the others. Let's go, Stitch," Jake said as they walked away.
"Yeah, me too," Ben said, running after them, with Rook following closely.
"Your loss," Luz muttered as they walked off.
But little did they know, a large figure was watching them from the rooftop above.
In town, Jake, Stitch, Ben, and Rook were walking through the streets.
"You two sure we shouldn't have stuck around?" Ben asked.
"Nah, it's best to let them figure things out on their own sometimes. Besides, if we had stayed, Eda might have swapped our bodies too," Jake said, and Stitch nodded in agreement, while Ben and Rook glanced at each other and shuddered.
"No, thank you. I don't need anyone in my body but me," Ben said firmly.
"Exactly. Best to just avoid any kind of craz—" Before Jake could finish, a voice yelled out.
"Hey, someone stop that thing!" a vendor shouted, scrambling to save what was left of his smashed potions.
"What in the—?" Ben looked up just in time to see a green blur darting back and forth, leaving a chaotic mess in its wake.
"Eh-ee-ba-chua!" Stitch barked excitedly. "Experiment! Big trouble!"
"Looks like it," Jake said, grinning. "Well, we can't just stand here and let it wreck everything, can we?"
"I got this," Rook said confidently, taking out his Proto-Tool and switching it to a net blaster. He fired, trapping the experiment in a net.
"There we go, captured it!" he began to say, but before Rook could finish, the experiment yanked on the net, its super speed dragging Rook along behind it.
"Rook!" Jake, Stitch, and Ben shouted, racing after him as he was dragged through the streets.
As Jake, Stitch, and Ben chased after the experiment, Ben noticed the Omnitrix turns green, and he grinned.
"Don't worry, guys," Ben said, activating the Omnitrix. Pressing the button, the dial popped up, and he scrolled through until an alien silhouette appeared. "It's hero time!" he declared, slamming down on the device. A green flash of light enveloped him.
In a burst of green light, Ben's form started shifting, his body becoming sleek and streamlined. His legs extended and reshaped into wheel-like feet, ready for speed. His arms grew more muscular, with three sharp claws forming on each hand, built for gripping and maneuvering. Armor began layering over his body, covering him in black and blue plating, with a faint metallic sheen. A green stripe formed down his chest, with the Omnitrix symbol embedded right at its center. Finally, a helmet with a tinted visor slid over his head, completing the transformation.
When the light faded, Ben stood as XLR8, looking like a futuristic velociraptor, built for power and speed.
"Aw yeah, XLR8 is back!" he grinned, his visor flashing. He revved his feet, the wheels spinning with a slight whir. "Let's catch ourselves a runaway experiment, shall we?"
Jake gave a quick thumbs-up. "Nice one, Ben! Now go show that little speedster who's the fastest around here!"
"Bootifa !" Stitch cheered, pumped up by XLR8's appearance.
XLR8 smirked and nodded at Jake and Stitch. "Hang tight, guys. I'll round him up in no time!"
With that, XLR8 took off, a black-and-blue blur zipping through the Boiling Isles market. He quickly closed the gap between himself and the speeding experiment, who barely noticed him coming until it looked back and saw XLR8 right on its tail.
"Gotcha now!" XLR8 called, reaching out a clawed hand, prepared to trap the mischievous experiment in one swift move.
"Okay, come on, Stitch! We can catch up to him if I use my Warp Star Astral Conversion Magic—" Jake started to say, but suddenly, a net came down, capturing both him and Stitch mid-sentence.
"What the—?" Jake exclaimed, struggling against the net.
"Aka boocha!" Stitch growled, wriggling to try and break free.
"Well, well, well. It's been a while, hasn't it? A little human and his pet Trog," a familiar voice called out from above before a large figure leaped down from the rooftop.
Jake and Stitch looked up, their eyes widening in shock as they saw none other than Gantu, the former commander of the Galactic Federation.
"Um, hey, Gantu! How've you been? You're looking… good," Jake said, trying to ease the tension while Stitch quietly used one of his claws to try and cut through the net.
"I've been waiting a long time to get payback on you, 'magic boy,' and your pet Trog," Gantu sneered as he picked up the net, bringing them up to his eye level.
"Wait, wait, wait! Before you, uh, end us or anything, I still don't understand—how did you even get here?" Jake asked, stalling for time.
Gantu smirked. "Well, after I got fired from the Galactic Federation, I met a… little friend. He came to me through a portal and mentioned he had two 'old friends' he'd like me to catch up with."
Jake's eyes widened, realizing exactly who Gantu was talking about. "Eli…"
Flashback*
After his dismissal from the Galactic Federation, Gantu wandered aimlessly across different star systems. Alone and angry, he cursed the names of everyone who'd put him in this position—especially Jake and Stitch. One day, as he sat sulking by a desolate space station, a strange glow appeared behind him.
Turning around, Gantu saw a portal, swirling with energy. Out of it stepped a slender, sly figure—it was Eli.
Gantu eyed him warily. "Who are you, and why are you here?"
Eli smirked, stepping closer. "The name's Eli, and I've got a proposition for you. I understand you're in need of… let's call it a career revival."
Gantu crossed his arms. "I don't do magic tricks if that's what you're selling."
Eli chuckled. "Oh, it's no trick. It's a very real opportunity. There's a place called the Boiling Isles—and two very troublesome individuals live there. One of them, a human boy named Jake, possesses something called the Owl Stone. Bring it to me, and I'll consider your debt paid. After that," he waved his hand dismissively, "you can do whatever you want with the boy and his pet blue… creature."
"You mean that boy and his little pet trog?" Gantu asked, recognition flashing across his face.
Eli grinned wider. "Ah, so you know them already."
"Yes, yes. They're the ones who got me fired. Finally, I can get my revenge on both of them," Gantu said with a dark smile.
"So, are you in?" Eli asked.
"Yes," Gantu replied without hesitation.
"Good," Eli said, handing Gantu a small, black stone. "This will help. Jake can perform magic, so you'll need this to handle him."
With that, Eli opened another portal using a strange device on his wrist. As he and Gantu stepped through, the stage was set for Gantu's long-awaited revenge.
Back in the present*
Jake squirmed in the net, glaring up at Gantu. "So, Eli sent you here just to get back at us? You'd think he'd have better things to do than partner up with his enemies."
Gantu let out a gruff laugh. "It's not just about payback, kid. He made me an offer I couldn't refuse. All I have to do is bring him that 'Owl Stone' you're hiding, and after that, I can do whatever I want with you and your little trog friend."
"Good luck with that," Jake shot back, struggling against the net. "We're not exactly the same kids you knew back then."
Stitch growled in agreement, his claws working furiously to slice through the net.
Gantu smirked, tightening his grip. "I wouldn't waste my energy. This net is reinforced with magic-blocking fibers, compliments of Eli. He figured you'd be a little more... 'evolved' by now."
Jake narrowed his eyes. "So, Eli really believes some ancient rock can help him with whatever plan he's got in mind?"
"Eli's plans are beyond anything you can imagine, boy. But it's not my job to understand—only to deliver."
Just then, Stitch managed to slice a small tear in the net, enough for them to start wriggling free. Jake and Stitch shared a quick glance, their expressions serious.
"I'd say it's about time we even the odds, wouldn't you?" Jake whispered to Stitch with a grin.
Stitch nodded, his ears perking up, and gave Gantu a sly look.
Before Gantu could react, Jake quickly summoned his Starlight Blade and struck Gantu's shoulder, making him grit his teeth in pain and drop the net, freeing Jake and Stitch.
"Okay, time to get out of here! Astral conversion magic—" Jake began, but before he could finish, Gantu grabbed the black stone Eli had given him and thrust it toward Jake. A wave of dark energy surged from the stone, blasting Jake and sending him flying into a nearby stand. Black electricity crackled around his body, and he screamed in pain.
"Jake!" Stitch yelled, rushing toward him.
"Not so fast, little trog!" Gantu barked, pulling out his plasma blaster and firing it at Stitch, sending him flying into another stall.
Groaning, Jake tried to push himself up. "Ugh… I really hope Ben and Rook are having a better time than we are."
Meanwhile, over in another part of the Boiling Isles marketplace, Ben, still in his XLR8 form, was hot on the tail of Experiment 657, who was speeding through the streets while dragging a very disgruntled Rook along behind him.
"Rook, hang on!" Ben called, zipping around to get ahead of them. "Just try to hold him steady so I can cut him off!"
"Easier said than done!" Rook grunted as he bounced and skidded over the cobblestone street, trying to get his feet under him. "This creature is… unexpectedly determined!"
Experiment 657 veered sharply, making a beeline for a row of potion stalls, narrowly missing vendors who yelled in shock as he zoomed past, leaving Rook struggling to keep up with the breakneck speed.
"Come on, 657, give it a rest already!" Ben growled, quickly closing the distance. In one swift motion, he shot past the experiment, then slid to a stop, blocking its path. "Alright, nowhere else to go!"
The experiment skidded to a halt, looking back and forth, trapped between Ben and a panting Rook, who had finally regained his footing.
"Good work, Rook!" Ben said with a smirk. "Now, let's settle this before it gets even messier."
Rook gave a slight nod, catching his breath. "Agreed. I believe we can handle this… though I do wonder how Jake and Stitch are faring."
Just then, the Omnitrix on Ben's chest started beeping, and with a red flash of light, he reverted back to his human form.
"Aww, man!" Ben groaned as Experiment 657 vibrated into the ground, tunneling through before reappearing on the other side, speeding off again.
"I really wish I knew some magic," Ben muttered, frustrated, as he and Rook took off running after the experiment once more.
Ben and Rook finally made it to the edge of a nearby lake, skidding to a halt as they spotted Experiment 657 zooming across the water's surface. The experiment was moving so fast it created a massive whirlpool in its wake, spiraling out and pulling in anything nearby.
"Oh, great! Now it's a water hazard too?" Ben huffed, watching the swirling vortex intensify.
Rook scanned the scene, calculating the risk. "If that whirlpool gets any larger, it could pull in parts of the market—and maybe even the town."
"Not on my watch!" Ben shouted, slapping the Omnitrix. He quickly cycled through the options, muttering, "Come on, come on… Give me something useful!"
But before he could select an alien, Experiment 657 turned and charged straight at them, riding the whirlpool's edge like a racetrack.
Rook tensed. "Ben, if you have a plan, now's the time!"
"Yeah, just working on that!"
Ben grinned as he slammed down on the Omnitrix, and in a burst of green light, he transformed into a large, turtle-like alien with sturdy flipper-like arms and stubby legs. The Omnitrix symbol now shone proudly on his chest as he took on the form of Terraspin .
"Alright, Terraspin! Let's slow this little speedster down," Ben said, his voice taking on a deeper, more resonant tone.
He rotated his massive flipper arms, creating a powerful gust that countered the whirlpool Experiment 657 had generated. The winds he produced whipped across the lake, forcing the water to calm and knocking Experiment 657 off balance.
Experiment 657 skidded to a halt, momentarily thrown by the sudden shift in the water.
"Nice work, Ben!" Rook called out, bracing himself against the force of Terraspin's wind. "Now's our chance to catch him!"
Ben grinned through Terraspin's wide, toothy mouth. "You got it! Time to put the brakes on this little troublemaker!" With a determined push, he surged forward across the water's surface, his powerful wind propelling him toward the experiment.
But Experiment 657, undeterred, revved up its wheels, preparing for another dash around the lake.
Experiment 657, with a quick spin of its wheels, bolted forward, kicking up a spray of water as it darted around Terraspin. The little speedster zipped from side to side, creating waves and splashes, trying to throw Ben off balance.
Terraspin was ready. With a flick of his flipper-like arms, Ben generated another gust of wind, sending a wave across the lake to intercept Experiment 657. The experiment slipped on the water's surface, spinning in circles for a moment before regaining control and darting back toward Ben, who braced himself for impact.
Rook, standing on the shore, took advantage of the moment. "Ben, keep him distracted! I'll cut him off!" He aimed his Proto-Tool, switching it to grappler mode, and fired at Experiment 657. The cable shot out, wrapping around the experiment's legs and pulling taut, causing it to stumble forward and nearly lose balance.
"Nice one, Rook!" Ben shouted, giving a thumbs-up. He raised his arms again, preparing to create another wind blast. "Alright, little guy, let's see how you like this!" He unleashed a powerful burst, sending a shockwave of wind toward Experiment 657, which struggled against the force, wheels slipping on the wet ground.
But Experiment 657 wasn't done yet. With a determined squeal, it revved its wheels and somehow managed to break free from Rook's grapple, zipping up a tree and ricocheting off the branches toward Ben with surprising speed.
Ben saw it coming and quickly shifted, retracting his flipper arms to use them as shields. Experiment 657 collided with him, and they both went flying back, splashing into the shallow end of the lake.
"Argh! This little guy's tougher than he looks!" Ben muttered as he struggled to his feet, his Omnitrix symbol flashing a faint warning.
Rook ran over, reaching into his toolkit for another device. "Ben, try to pin him down! I think I have just the thing to disable his wheels."
"Sounds like a plan!" Ben grunted, steadying himself. With one last surge, he flung his arms out, sending an even stronger wind blast that pushed Experiment 657 toward the shoreline. The experiment squealed, trying to resist, but Terraspin's strength proved too much.
As Experiment 657 slid across the muddy bank, Rook dashed forward and quickly planted a specialized containment device onto its back. The device lit up, sending out a small pulse that locked its wheels in place. The experiment squirmed, wheels spinning, but it was finally trapped.
Ben let out a relieved breath and retracted his arms. "Phew. Glad that's over."
Rook secured the device with a final click and straightened up. "Excellent teamwork, Ben. Now, let's get this one back before it causes any more chaos."
Ben reverted to human form with a flash of red light, shaking off the water as he grinned at Rook. "Another successful catch! Let's just hope Jake and Stitch are having an easier time."
Back in town, Gantu continued using the stone on Jake, making him scream in pain as black electricity surged through his body, forcing him to kneel on the ground, breathing heavily.
"All you have to do is tell me where the Owl Stone is, and this will all be over," Gantu said, using the stone on Jake again.
Stitch got up and looked at Jake, distressed by seeing his Ohana in pain.
Stitch's eyes filled with determination as he saw Jake struggling against Gantu's relentless assault. The sight of his friend in pain made his fur bristle with anger.
"Enough!" Stitch growled, his voice low and fierce. He leaped forward, eyes glowing with defiance as he positioned himself between Jake and Gantu. "You hurt Ohana… Stitch hurt you!"
Gantu raised an eyebrow, amused by Stitch's sudden challenge. "Oh, the little Trog thinks he can protect his friend? How cute," he sneered, raising the black stone again. "You're no match for me."
Stitch bared his teeth. "Ohana means family. You mess with family—you get fight!"
With a sudden burst of energy, Stitch lunged at Gantu, dodging a dark energy blast from the stone and ramming into Gantu's chest, causing him to stumble backward. Gantu tried to swipe at Stitch, but Stitch was too fast, darting around him and going for the stone in his hand.
Meanwhile, Jake, still weakened and breathing heavily, mustered the strength to look up. He clenched his fists, drawing on every bit of magic he could summon through the pain. "You're not… gonna win that easy, Gantu," he said through gritted teeth.
Gantu laughed, though a hint of frustration flickered in his eyes as he tried to shake Stitch off. "Bold words from a kid who's on the ground."
Jake's eyes glowed faintly as he summoned a protective energy shield around him, feeling his strength slowly returning. "You made a big mistake coming here, Gantu. You have no idea who you're dealing with."
Just then, Stitch managed to grab hold of the black stone in Gantu's grip, yanking it out of his hand with surprising strength. The stone flew from Gantu's grasp, clattering to the ground nearby.
"No!" Gantu bellowed, reaching for it. But before he could, Jake raised his hand, summoning a surge of magic to create a barrier around the stone, keeping it out of Gantu's reach.
Stitch grinned, baring his teeth triumphantly. "Not so tough without your fancy rock, eh, Gantu?"
Gantu scowled, his hands clenched into fists as he realized he was losing control of the situation.
"No, you little—" Before Gantu could do anything, a blast struck his back, and he turned to see Ben and Rook, holding Experiment 657 secure in an experiment pod.
Hey, big guy!" Ben called out, standing confidently with Rook by his side, his arm still raised from firing the shot. In his other hand, he held an experiment pod containing Experiment 657, now safely secured.
Gantu turned to face them, surprised but quickly regaining his composure. "Who are you?" he growled, sizing them up.
"Just a couple of heroes passing through," Ben replied with a smirk. "Why don't you let go of Jake before things get messy?"
Rook stepped forward, aiming his Proto-Tool directly at Gantu. "Release him. This is your only warning."
Gantu laughed, amused. "Oh, I see—more pests who think they can stop me. How charming." He raised the black stone again, dark energy swirling around it. "But I have power you can't fight with any alien tricks or gadgets."
Ben clenched his fists, determined. "Then you're really asking for it now." He quickly slammed down on the Omnitrix, ready to unleash his next transformation.
Stitch braced himself, eyes narrowed on Gantu. Together, they prepared to face the powerful alien, united in their resolve to protect Jake.
Ben smirked, already feeling the energy pulse through him as he activated the Omnitrix, the dial lighting up with a familiar green glow. "Alright, let's bring out the heavy hitter," he muttered, slamming his palm down onto the Omnitrix. In a flash of green light, his body began to expand and reshape, taking on a towering, armored form. When the glow faded, Ben stood transformed, his new form towering at ten feet tall, with a robust, yellow, mechanical-like body that gleamed in the sunlight.
This was Armodrillo
Ben flexed his heavy arms, now covered with jackhammer-like mechanisms that gave him immense power and precision for combat. His helmeted head looked down at Gantu, eyes glowing with determination.
Gantu took a step back, momentarily thrown off by the massive alien in front of him. "What in the galaxy—?"
"You like to throw your weight around, huh?" Armodrillo's deep, resonant voice echoed as he cracked his knuckles, the sound like metal grinding. "Well, now you're not the biggest guy in the room."
Without warning, Armodrillo slammed his massive fist into the ground, activating the jackhammer function on his elbows. The impact sent powerful shockwaves through the earth, causing the ground to crack and shake. Gantu stumbled, trying to keep his balance as the ground shifted beneath him.
"Let's see how you handle this!" Armodrillo charged forward, his powerful legs driving him toward Gantu like a force of nature. He raised his fist, ready to strike.
Stitch took the opportunity to dart over to Jake, who was still recovering from Gantu's earlier attack. "Jake, you okay?" he asked, tugging on the net to help free his friend.
Jake nodded, still wincing but grateful. "Yeah… thanks, Stitch. Now let's give him a fight he won't forget."
Together, they watched as Armodrillo closed in on Gantu, the armored hero prepared to take down the hulking alien with sheer, unstoppable force.
As Ben in his Armodrillo form took on Gantu, Jake staggered to his feet, feeling the lingering effects of the blackstone's dark magic still pulsing through his body. He clenched his fists, trying to summon his Starlight Blade. Normally, it would burst forth as a radiant, long sword, but this time, all he managed was a short, faintly glowing blade barely the size of a dagger.
"Ugh… come on," Jake muttered, looking down at the weakened weapon. He gritted his teeth, frustrated but determined. "Guess it'll have to do."
Gantu, distracted by Armodrillo's relentless onslaught, hardly noticed as Jake inched closer, small blade in hand. Meanwhile, Armodrillo delivered a thunderous punch to Gantu's side, sending him stumbling.
Taking advantage of the opening, Jake lunged forward and thrust his short Starlight Blade into Gantu's leg, aiming for a vulnerable spot. Gantu roared, feeling the sting of the magic weapon, even in its reduced form.
"You… little pest!" Gantu growled, his hand reaching down to swat Jake away.
But before Gantu could strike, Ben saw his friend in danger and reacted immediately. Activating the jackhammer mechanism in his arms, Armodrillo drove a powerful fist into Gantu's chest, forcing the massive alien backward, away from Jake and Stitch.
"Nice timing, Ben!" Jake shouted, breathing heavily but managing a grin.
"Anytime, Jake. You guys good?" Ben asked, glancing at his friends.
Stitch gave a nod, still keeping his eyes on Gantu. " Meega ready for action!"
Gantu, infuriated, looked at all three of them, his eyes narrowing as he clutched the blackstone. "This isn't over," he snarled, summoning dark energy around him. With a surge of power, he raised the stone, channeling a sinister aura that intensified around him.
Jake, still weakened, held his small Starlight Blade up defensively. "Ben, watch out! That stone—he's powering it up!"
Armodrillo braced himself, digging his jackhammer fists into the ground. "Let him come. We've got his number."
With a bellowing roar, Gantu charged forward, the dark energy swirling as he prepared to unleash it.
As Gantu charged forward, Rook, watching the struggle, quickly assessed the situation. He held the experiment pod with Experiment 657 secured inside. Realizing they needed a new edge against Gantu, Rook made a quick decision.
"Ben! Jake!" Rook called out, getting their attention. "I'm letting Experiment 657 go—it's our best chance to even the odds!"
Jake, still struggling to steady himself with the small blade, nodded in agreement. "Good idea, Rook. Let's hope this little guy's on our side!"
With a quick press of the release button, Rook unlocked the pod, freeing Experiment 657. The creature sprang out with a burst of energy, looking around with sharp, intelligent eyes. It immediately noticed Gantu as he stomped closer, dark energy crackling around him.
"Come on, little guy," Rook said, stepping back and motioning toward Gantu. "Let's show him what we can do together!"
The experiment seemed to understand, and with a mischievous grin, it dashed toward Gantu, vibrating with a high-pitched hum. Within seconds, Experiment 657 dove beneath Gantu's feet, destabilizing his balance with its strong vibrations. The alien stumbled, struggling to stay upright as the ground beneath him shook.
"Nice one, Rook!" Ben called, using the opportunity to press forward in his Armodrillo form. He activated his jackhammer fists, slamming them into the ground, sending shockwaves that combined with Experiment 657's vibrations to create a mini-earthquake beneath Gantu.
Gantu staggered, his dark energy flickering as he lost focus. "Enough!" he roared, trying to steady himself and clutching the blackstone tightly, ready to release another dark blast.
Jake, seizing the moment, charged forward with his weakened Starlight Blade and sliced upward at Gantu's wrist, hoping to knock the blackstone loose. The blade's faint glow connected with Gantu's armor, leaving a searing mark.
"Agh!" Gantu hissed, loosening his grip on the stone just enough for Stitch to dart in. Stitch leaped up, grabbed the stone with both hands, and wrenched it out of Gantu's grasp.
Stitch held the blackstone high, his eyes fierce. "Not yours!" he declared, tossing the stone far across the battlefield.
With the stone gone, Gantu's dark aura faded, leaving him momentarily stunned. "No… you meddling pests!" he shouted, but without the blackstone's power, he was vulnerable.
"Time to end this," Jake said, catching his breath and holding his blade steady. He exchanged a nod with Ben and Rook. Together, the three of them closed in on Gantu, each preparing their final moves.
Experiment 657, still buzzing with energy, vibrated beneath Gantu, causing him to stumble once more. Rook aimed his blaster, Ben wound up his jackhammer fists, and Jake raised his small but glowing blade.
"Now!" Jake shouted, and in a coordinated strike, they unleashed their final attacks, sending Gantu flying back with a powerful combined blow that left him defeated and sprawled on the ground.
As the dust settled, Jake looked around at his team, smiling. "Nice work, everyone. Ohana really does mean no one gets left behind… or outnumbered!"
This isn't over—not by a long shot, magic boy! And that little pet trog of yours? That owL-Stone will be mine! Gantu threatened before pulling out a portal key. With an impressive flourish, he opened a swirling portal beneath himself and disappeared into it.
"Great, he got away," Jake muttered under his breath.
"We get that stupid head next time!" Stitch growled.
"Yeah, we will," Jake agreed, petting Stitch as Ben's Omnitrix beeped. In a flash of red light, Ben reverted to his human form.
"Perhaps we should check on how the others are doing?" Rook suggested.
"Yeah, let's go," Jake replied, and they all walked off together.
Meanwhile, things were not going so well for their friends.
Eda, stuck in King's tiny body, tried to use his cuteness to get pampered but ended up captured by Roselle and Dottie—two eccentric old ladies who ran a "kitty café" where small creatures were coddled until they were practically brainwashed.
King, in Luz's body, had taken over as the "boss" of Boscha's gang, but his antics got him challenged to a race by Boscha, which led to the gang's hideout being trashed.
Luz, in Eda's body, tried to drum up sales with an attention-grabbing ad, but the bright lights attracted the Emperor's guards—and her sister Lilith, who captured her almost immediately.
Racing through the streets with Owlbert at her side, Luz frantically scanned her surroundings. "Okay, if I were Eda, and Eda is King, where would I be? Argh! This body swap thing is so confusing! Where's jake and stitch when I need them?" she muttered.
A tap on the glass made her look over at the Kitty Café. She saw Eda trapped in a bee costume, with King beside her in a t-shirt that said *Volunteer.*
"Luz! Get over here and bring my body!" Eda called, looking exasperated.
Luz beamed, relieved. "Eda!"
Inside, Roselle and Dottie were chatting obliviously.
"Oh, look, Dottie! It's not kidnapping if they enter our store willingly. Think of it as good customer service," Roselle said with a smile.
Luz quickly transformed a lamp into an extravagant diversion and quietly tried to sneak Eda and King out.
"Go, go, go!" Luz whispered as they dashed for the exit.
"After them!" Roselle shrieked, while Dottie scowled in fury.
"What weird stuff did you get my body into?" Luz asked as they turned a corner, only to find Lilith, the guards, and a snarling guard dog waiting for them.
"There they are!" Lilith shouted.
"I could ask you the same question," Eda shot back as they turned to run—only to run into Boscha's gang swooping in on flying sneakers.
"Oh no, I forgot about them," King muttered.
"Alright, has everyone learned a valuable lesson about each other's hardships?" Eda asked, looking exhausted.
"Yep," King and Luz replied in unison.
"Good. Then let's end this nightmare! Body swap!" Eda chanted, finally putting them all back in their own bodies.
"My body! My glorious little body!" King cheered, hugging himself.
Lilith stepped forward, coldly glaring at Eda. "Edalyn, I've offered you my help countless times, yet you insist on clinging to your worthless existence. I'm done trying. Your days of running are over!"
Eda sighed, giving Luz a sideways glance. "Thanks, Luz."
Luz winced. "Sorry! Any chance you know a way out of this?"
Hiding behind a stack of boxes, Jake, Stitch, Ben, and Rook peeked around the corner to assess the situation. Eda, Luz, and King were surrounded, with Lilith and her guards closing in fast.
Jake glanced down at the pod holding Experiment 657 and grinned. "Time to see what this little guy can do."
Stitch nodded eagerly. " distraction time!"
Ben smirked, watching as Rook pressed a button to release Experiment 657. The creature immediately sprang into action, its tiny legs revving up like a miniature turbine. In a blur, Experiment 657 zipped around the marketplace, scattering seeds everywhere with its super speed.
Almost instantly, thick vines and sprawling roots burst up from the ground, wrapping around stalls, walls, and even the legs of Lilith's guards. They stumbled, tripping over the rapidly growing plants as the vines spread faster than they could cut them down.
Lilith, caught off guard, scowled, her eyes flashing with irritation. "What kind of magic is this?!"
From behind the boxes, Jake grinned. "Just your friendly neighborhood landscaping service," he muttered, watching Experiment 657 cause total chaos.
Eda took advantage of the distraction, nudging Luz. "This is our shot! Let's get out of here while they're tangled up!"
With the guards struggling in the vines, Eda, Luz, and King dashed out of the mess, ducking under a particularly large vine. Meanwhile, Experiment 657 continued its speed-fueled mayhem, leaving Lilith and her guards trapped in an ever-growing jungle.
Back at the Owl House, Luz sat cross-legged on the floor, tapping her chin thoughtfully as Experiment 657 zipped around, leaving trails of dirt and tiny torn leaves in his wake.
"Hmmm… how about 'Whiz'? No, no… maybe 'Zippy'? Or 'Green Blaze'? Ooh, maybe—"
Ben chuckled, shaking his head. "Luz, we've already got a name for him," he said, nodding toward Rook. "We call him Speedy."
Rook nodded in agreement. "It's fitting, given his unique, uh… talents," he added, watching as Speedy bounced off the walls like a miniature cyclone.
Luz looked up, slightly disappointed. "Speedy, huh? Not bad," she admitted with a grin. She turned to Experiment 657. "What do you think, Speedy? Like the sound of that?"
Speedy gave a happy squeak, zooming in quick circles around Luz in approval.
"Looks like it's a winner!" Jake laughed, trying to keep his eyes on the blur that was Speedy.
Stitch folded his arms proudly. "Speedy, fast Cousin!" he said with a big, toothy grin.
Luz gave Speedy a pat as he paused just long enough for her to reach him. "Speedy it is, then! Now we have our own little lightning bolt for any trouble that comes our way."
Eda raised an eyebrow, amused by all the commotion. "Just try to keep him from tearing down the house, will ya? We've had enough chaos around here lately."
"Don't worry, Eda," Luz reassured her, glancing at Ben and Rook. "With Ben, Rook, Jake, and Stitch around, things should be way more… uh, under control?"
The whole group shared a laugh, exchanging glances, each fully aware that "control" was probably asking a bit much.
Later that night, Jake and Stitch quietly made their way down the hall of the Owl House to check on Finn and Asher. After everything that had happened with the Longclaw family—and their father's unexpected surrender to the Elemental Coven—Jake figured they could use some support.
They stopped outside Finn and Asher's shared room, where a soft light was still glowing under the door. Jake knocked gently before opening it, finding Finn sitting on the edge of his bed, looking lost in thought, while Asher was at his desk, doodling absentmindedly.
"Hey, guys," Jake said quietly as he stepped in, Stitch right behind him.
Finn looked up, offering a small, tired smile. "Hey, Jake… Stitch. You didn't have to come check on us."
Stitch trotted over to them, his big eyes full of concern. "Finn… Asher… Ok?" he asked softly, his voice filled with warmth.
Asher put down his pen, looking between Jake and Stitch. "Thanks for coming. I think we needed it. Things have just been… really heavy."
Jake took a seat beside Finn. "We heard about your dad. That must've been a lot to take in," he said gently, glancing at him.
Finn nodded, letting out a quiet sigh. "It was… a shock. I never thought he'd turn himself in like that. But I guess… maybe he thought it was the only way to protect us."
Asher added, "Yeah. We're still trying to wrap our heads around it. But we're glad to have you guys around. It feels like… family."
Stitch, always the best at lightening the mood, opened his arms and gave them both a big, comforting hug. "Ohana means family," he said with a grin. "Family means nobody gets left behind, or forgotten."
Asher smiled, hugging him back. "Thanks, Stitch. That really means a lot."
The four friends sat together, enjoying the quiet comfort of each other's company, grateful for the simple moments of support and understanding in the middle of their chaotic lives.