Author's note.

So, Chapter 4's been released. All I can say is, I have mixed feelings about it. But, the FEELS for it. I felt like crying for a good chunk of it. Though there was A LOT of missed opportunities there. Oh well, nothing a little TMCY2K magic can do. Ben 10 and Poppy Play do not belong to me, but to their rightful owners. So, leave a review, sit back, relax and enjoy the show.

Chapter 10

Those in gas houses

Ben groaned as he sat up. He wasn't in Home Sweet Home anymore. He was in his school.

"How did I end up here?" Wondered Ben.

"I see, you made it to class on time, Tennyson".

Ben looked behind him to see…

"Dr. Animo" said Ben. Dr. Animo was standing there. Soon, his giant, mutant frog smashed through the wall. Ben tried using his Omnitrix, but nothing happened.

"What's the matter, Ben?," mocked Dr. Animo. "Got no juice left?". Ben then ran.

After a few minutes, long purple claws phased out of the wall. A figure then fully emerged.

"Zs'Skayr?!" Shouted Ben.

"Hello again, Ben," said Zs'Skayr. "Aren't you glad to see me?".

"To be honest, no" said Ben.

"Well, too bad," mocked Zs'Skayr. "You're stuck with me. If not physically, I will haunt your mind". Ben just ran off. However, he kept seeing Dr. Animo and Zs'Skayr around some of the corners. When he rounded another corner, he saw a smile in the shadows.

"Hiya, kid". The figure walked out of the shadows to reveal…

"Zombozo?!" Shouted Ben.

"That's right~," said Zombozo. "Though, I don't know why you reacted like that to when you killed that Mommy thing? I mean, you killed the ghost, you killed me…..what's another life to you?". Ben ran off again. Now he was seeing Dr. Animo, Zs'Skayr AND Zombozo were appearing around corners.

Something then smashed though the wall, when the smoke cleared, it revealed…..

"Kevin?!" Shouted Ben. Kevin was there in his amalgam form.

"Nice to see you again, Benjy," said Kevin. "Never thought you'd see me again, did you? Ever since you left me in the Null Void. And you know, I actually considered you a friend. And you left to drown. Then stranded on a spaceship. And then in a prison, full of monsters. Not very heroic". Ben then ran off. After a few minutes, a magic blast then stopped him in his tracks.

"Hex?!" Shouted Ben.

"You could never escape from us, boy," said Hex. "And as long as you are a hero, we will fight and come after you". Ben was now running from all of them. That is, until he ran into someone he dreaded.

"Vilgax" said Ben. His arch-nemesis was standing there.

"You have been a thorn in everyone's side, Ben Tennyson" said Vilgax as he walked towards him. Soon, he was surrounded by Dr. Animo, Zs'Skayr, Zombozo, Kevin, Hex and Vilgax. Vilgax then Ben by his shirt.

"As long as you have the Omnitrix, boy," said Zs'Skayr. "We will always be wanting it".

"We will always come after you" said Dr. Animo.

"We will always ruin your life" said Hex.

"We will always bring your fears to life" said Zombozo.

"We will always remind you of the mistakes you make" said Kevin.

"And we will always, ALWAYS be ready to kill you" said Vilgax. He then threw Ben through a wall and he was now falling into a black pit, screaming his head off.

Meanwhile, Max woke up. He found himself in Home Sweet Home again. But, the hallways looked longer then normal.

"Oh, this can't be good" said Max as he started to walk down the hallways. The door were chained up, wallpaper was torn and it was just a mess.

"Ben? Gwen? Where are you two?" Max asked.

"Tragedy struck today as of 9:45 am, the body of a child was found in a large duffle bag on the estate of the late Elliot Ludwig. There have been suspicions revolving around him leave and arriving home at odd hours. In other news, a nuke exploded in the sky over the military base it was launched from. Many suspected a terrorist attacked while others suggest a systematic malfunction. More on these stories as they develop." The radio then cut off.

"Well, that's not creepy" said Max. He continued to walk, but the hallways were never ending and were disorienting.

"Ugh, these go on forever" groaned Max. He then saw another radio.

"When asked to comment on the revelations on the body of the child found on Elliot's estate, officials at Playtime Co said this. 'It's sickening. Elliot Ludwig was a great and kind man. Those who knew him knew that he was not capable of violence. We look forward to clearing his name in the eyes of the public and in the eyes of the law'. In other news, strange sightings have been sprouting up all over America and- YOU LIED TO THEM! YOU LIED TO THEM AGAIN!" The radio then cut out.

"That's not good" said Max. As he walked down the hallway, he heard the sound of a phone ringing.

"Where's that coming from?" Wondered Max. He walked down the hallways until he saw an opening where he could see a table with a phone on the table. He then picked it up.

"Hello?" Asked Max.

"You need to run". That was Ollie. Max then turned around and caught a glimpse of Catnap before he retreated into the shadows.

"What the hell is going on?" Wondered Max. He was starting to get frustrated. Each hallway seemed to lead into another and another and another. Then he saw two, white eyes in the darkened hallway. Max knew who they belonged to.

"Catnap" said Max.

"Hello there, Max," said Catnap. "Bet you thought I was gone, right? Forgotten, tossed aside. But, you did say you like to save people AND aliens. But, you didn't. You failed. Just like Devin. Just like Phil. And you promised no more secrets between you, Ben and Gwen. Yet, you are keeping one. But, where are my manners, welcome". Catnap looked to be getting closer and closer. Max tried to run, but he wasn't getting anywhere. Eventually, Catnap caught up to him and he screamed.

Then, both Max and Ben woke up and sat up.

"Good, you're awake".

Gwen was standing there with a gas mask atop her head.

"What happened?" Asked Ben.

"When you two fell into that red smoke, you guys fell asleep," said Gwen. "Someone pulled me aside and gave me these gas masks. I suggest you take them."

"Did you manage to turn the generator on?" Asked Max.

"No, but I was able to find it," said Gwen. "I was able to get through most of it and placed the batteries in their slots. But, I still need a the blue hand on your Grab Pack".

"Well, lead on" said Max. Gwen lead them through the building until they heard foot steps. They leaned up against the wall and Catnap walked passed them.

"That was close" said Max. They then headed towards a room full of the red smoke.

"Masks" said Max.

"Got it" said Ben and Gwen. They all put their gas masks on and walked through the gas. They eventually turned the generator and walked out,

"Where to next?" Asked Ben.

"Well," said Max. "I say we call Ollie and-." Max didn't get to finish as something tackled him to the ground. It was Kissy Missy.

"You" she growled.

"Let go our Grandpa, you over grown sock monkey!" Shouted Gwen.

"No no!". Poppy ran in between Max and Kissy.

"Let go" said Poppy.

"Why?" Asked Kissy Missy.

"They didn't do anything wrong," said Poppy. "They're actually here to help". Kissy Missy then got off Max. Ben and Gwen then helped him up.

"I'm glad Ollie was able to help you get this far" said Poppy. Ben then noticed that Kissy Missy looked nervous.

"Is she okay?" Asked Ben. Poppy sighed.

"This place makes her tense" answered Poppy. Kissy Missy then placed Poppy on her shoulder.

"Come," said Poppy. "We have much to talk about."