Ben 10: Apex Hero

JEN'S POV

So…Let's do this one last time, ok?

My name is Jennifer Knight Tennyson, I was given an alien watch that fell from the sky and for like a couple of weeks I've been the one and only wielder of the Omnitrix.

Well at least in this dimension.

I fought and won against an intergalactic alien conqueror, learned that my grandmother was some sort of legendary police officer of extraterrestrial activity, saved a bunch of people, caught all sorts of bad guys and even started to get along with my dweeb of a cousin.

And if I'm being honest with you, I never thought I would be able to do any of this stuff, but I can, my friend showed me that I could. When I feel alone, like no one understands what I'm going through, I remember my friend who get it.

For some reason I think you all know the rest.

It's just that—

WROOOOOMMMMMMMM

"Hmmmm…" Was all I could mutter as the not so soft hum of the Rust Bucket's generator filled the air and stirred me awake.

Sunlight peeked through the thin curtains and the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee immediately told me that Grandma Maxine was already up.

As I sat up, stretching the stiffness from my shoulders after another night on the cramped bunk. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I shuffled toward the tiny bathroom at the back of the RV. 

The mirror above the sink was slightly waived, proof of the vehicle's years on the road.

Flicking on the light, I tied my hair into a loose bun and freshened up. The bathroom was small but efficient, with just enough space for me to wash my face and brush my teeth. After finishing my routine, I grabbed my travel toiletries and stepped into the minuscule shower stall. The water was warm but not overly comfortable.

'Don't forget to save it for the rest of us, Jen.' Grandma Maxine's voice echoed in my mind as a reminder.

Feeling refreshed, I dried off quickly and slipped into a slightly different than usual attire: a comfortable pair of shorts and a loose-fitting t-shirt, perfect for another day of adventure.

Stepping out of the bathroom, she was greeted by the sight of Grandma Maxine at the tiny kitchenette. The elder Tennyson stood in her usual flannel shirt, expertly flipping pancakes on the portable griddle. Her silver hair was neatly pulled back and her eyes twinkled with warmth as she turned to me.

"Morning, Jen! Did you sleep well?" Maxine asked, setting a plate of pancakes on the table.

Giving my grandmother a lopsided grin as I took a seat at the cramped table. "Morning, Grandma. As well as I can after our last adventure. Smells amazing, though."

Across the table, Glenn was already halfway through his meal, his nose buried in a book I wasn't sure if it was about science or magic. The red-haired teen barely looked up as I joined him.

"Morning, Glenn." I said, grabbing a pancake and drizzling it with syrup.

"Morning." Glenn mumbled distractedly, flipping a page.

I arched a brow at him. "Are you ever gonna stop reading long enough to realize there's a world outside of those pages?"

Glenn smirked but didn't look up. "Look who's talking, the girl that would rather stay all day watching tv and playing games than helping us out with setting up camp whenever we stop out of a city."

Maxine chuckled as she poured a mug of coffee for herself and me. "You two, always at it. At least try to get along for the day, who knows what adventure awaits us?"

"I'm just saying, Grandma." Rolling my eyes playfully I couldn't help making my case. "If Glenn was as busy as I am with saving the day, he would understand that a heroine deserves her time to relax."

Glenn gave a muffled response."Uh-huh." 

I shook my head and immediately turned into my Grey Mind (Grey Matter) transformation in order to have more food for myself.

As I took bites from my proportionally large pancake, I noticed some images of me in action being shown on the news at the TV in the front of the RV and eventually recalled the sacrifice Glenn had made by getting rid of the magical charms before they fell on the wrong hands.

"Sorry." Was my eventual response, which clearly got Glenn by surprise given how he finally lowered his book and looked at me in my diminutive size with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm still not totally used to your transformations." Glenn told me while pinching the bridge of his nose, probably recalling the time that I started comparing which alien form could hock the best loogie. "But I'm glad this little frog gives you some emotional intelligence."

Nothing else needed to be said amongst the two of us, we merely nodded to one another and moved on with starting our day.

Later that day, when we had to make a stop at a quiet clearing just off a dusty back road for Grandma Maxine to rest a little after being driving for hours. Surrounded by towering trees and open skies, I knew it was the best moment for me to start my daily routine of training with my alien forms.

"Alright, Jen." Maxine called as she leaned back in the driver's seat with a satisfied sigh. "We'll rest here for a while. Don't go too far."

"Got it, Grandma." I replied, already stepping out of the RV. Glancing over my shoulder at Glenn, who was still nose-deep in his latest book. "Coming?"

Glenn waved her off without looking up. "I think I'll pass. Someone's gotta make sure Grandma doesn't need help while you are away."

Rolling my eyes with a grin and stepping out into the fresh air, I began to stretch, savoring the momentary freedom from the cramped space of the RV. 

The clearing provided just enough space for my daily training, a routine Ben had established for me to push myself and master my alien transformations.

Standing in the center of the clearing, I flipped open the dial on my Omnitrix, even though I no longer needed to. The green device on my wrist beeped softly, its interface glowing as I scrolled through my options.

Smirking with excitement, I finally said. "Alright, let's see what today's got in store."

My first transformation was the towering, red-skinned and bodybuilder goddess, Handiva. 

The ground trembled as my four massive arms flexed, each one radiating power. Practicing a series of rapid punches and grapples on a sturdy tree trunk, I aimed to make my strikes precise yet forceful enough to leave deep dents. Even took a moment to lift a boulder, never tired of marveling at how effortlessly I could toss it aside.

"Still got it." I muttered, my deepened voice echoing through the clearing before I began training my super jumps.

Next was Savage Fur. As the feral beast in my arsenal, I've honed her agility and heightened senses. Darting through the clearing on all fours, my claws tearing through the underbrush with ease. I even tested my sense of smell by locating a series of targets like fruits, rocks and even some wildlife.

During one of his calls, Ben had mentioned to me that this form was meant to also have quills on its back, like a porcupine. But sadly, even with the aid of both Glenn and Grandma, I wasn't able to find it.

Probably something only guys get…which is totally not fair!

Regardless, Crystal Shine came next. As a gleaming and indestructible walking statue, I worked on my defensive capabilities, creating crystalline walls and hurling sniping-like shards at makeshift targets from a distance. The sound of shattering crystal filled the air as I practiced both my precision and strength.

Though absorbing and reflecting sunlight was still something I was having some trouble getting right.

Speaking of fire power, transforming into Blaze Caster, my fiery statue form, I easily managed to ignite the clearing with bursts of controlled flame. I practiced throwing fireballs, weaving streams of fire and forming brief walls of flame for crowd control. 

Always careful not to scorch the surrounding forest, Ben had been very specific about keeping my practice precise and to avoid collateral damage at all cost.

Moving on, my Poltergeist transformation allowed me to test my stealth and versatility. Floating above the ground, I phased in and out of visibility, weaving through the trees and practicing my ability to reach otherwise inaccessible areas.

To be honest, this form was one of the coolest. Not only did I feel fearless while like this, but also like I could even scare my own nightmares.

Although, as much as I've asked, Ben has told me that I wasn't ready to possess anyone just yet. The risk of messing up with someone's head was what kept me from trying this one Glenn just to prank him.

Already halfway done, changing to my tech-savvy Update form, I scanned and fused with a nearby broken vending machine Maxine had salvaged from a roadside stop. Manipulating its mechanisms, bending its functionality into something almost unrecognizable, before detaching and restoring it to normal.

The best part of this transformation was the incredible amount of immersion it granted me while merging with my video game and playing one of my favorite Sumo Slam video games. It was like playing in god mode with the ability to install every mod I could think of.

Ben even told me that if I focused enough I could make my own blob of nano machines that would work as a pet for me. 

No luck yet but I was still trying.

Speeding things up, I emerged from a nearby stream as Sea Maiden, my water-based form that allowed me to move effortlessly through the current, practicing my swimming and underwater combat techniques while fishing some prey.

Puke Queen came right after and this insect-like alien's flight was one of my favorite skills to refine. Soaring above the clearing, I practiced aerial maneuvers and launched my sticky projectiles at targets below.

Switching to Deadtime, I dashed across the already wrecked clearing at impossible speeds. My Kineceleran's lightning-fast reflexes allowed me to navigate all its obstacles and perform high-speed acrobatics. 

The way I managed to constantly slow time around me always gave me the drive to keep running faster, the only things still preventing me from constantly visiting my home whenever I felt like it was that the faster I went the harder and more dangerous was to control myself at those impossible speeds.

I at least got the chance to go back once and pick up a few things I've forgotten to bring along for my summer road trip and even got some payback on my school bullies.

Finally, as the diminutive yet brilliant Grey Mind, I worked on strategy just as Ben had recommended me. Sitting on a log next to the RV, I used the little frog's enhanced intellect to analyze my performance and make mental notes on areas for improvement.

I've already unlocked a few extra forms, like the one belonging to my first super villain, those jelly creeps that were causing trouble during our visit at uncle's Veron, the living lightning I freed by mistake from a giant rubber ball or that leader of those space heroes.

But while some of these forms weren't as impressive as the original, like the case for that cyborg squid-face, and others had lame weaknesses such as water, like those shapeshifting slugs that liked to pray on old people, the rest was a bit too complicated for me to start using without some help of what they were actually capable.

Here's hoping that Ben will manage to come visit again soon enough to guide me through them.

As I reverted to my human form, I glanced at the Omnitrix with a satisfied grin. The hour had flown by, and I already felt sharper, stronger and more in tune with my abilities.

Heading back to the Rust Bucket, wiping a bit of sweat from my brow, I was greeted by Maxine's smile as she handed me a cold drink.

"Good workout?" Maxine asked knowingly.

"The best." I replied, plopping onto a seat. "I'm ready for whatever comes next."

————————————————————————

[DR. ANIMO AND THE MUTANT RAY]

GLENN'S POV

The Rust Bucket cruised through the uneven roads of the Everglades, its wheels kicking up soft clouds of dirt. The swamp stretched out in every direction, its moss-covered trees looming over the murky water with the sounds of chirping birds, croaking frogs and the occasional bellow of a distant alligator.

It was humid, sticky and teeming with life.

"Here we are, kids!" Grandma Maxine said cheerfully as she adjusted her fishing cap and parked the RV in a makeshift lot surrounded by festival stands and trailers. "Welcome to Gator Fest, a true celebration of all things swamp!"

Stepping out, dusting off my clothes as my eyes scanned the surrounding sight of a swampy water dotted with wooden walkways. The environment honestly didn't exactly appeal to me, but I forced a polite smile. 

"It's… certainly unique." Was all that I said.

Jen, on the other hand, looked around with wide-eyed excitement. "This is awesome! Gators everywhere, fried food and all the swamp vibes. I'm so ready to wrestle one!"

I couldn't help but to raise an eyebrow, trying my best to speak to her with a calm demeanor. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Jen. Those gators are a lot tougher than they look."

Not much further from us I sighted a sign that read: Beware of alligators! Stay on marked paths!

"Come on, Glenn, Where's your sense of adventure?" Jen said, jabbing me playfully in the side. "What gator would have a chance against Sea Maiden (Ripjaws)?"

"If that's really the case, where is the fun?" I argued. "If you already know you can easily do it, then why bother?"

Jen hesitated as she stepped down, taking in my words for a moment. Right then, as I waited for her response, I was immediately distracted by the fact that I'd noticed something unusual with my cousin.

"Jen…" I began saying while wondering since when she has started with that habit. "Are you really using makeup?"

Clearly taken by surprise from my question, Jen immediately tried to change subjects by glancing at Grandma and asked. "So… what do you think of this place, Grandma?" 

"I think it's got a certain charm." Maxine, who had just finished picking up some things we might use on our day at the festival, nodded toward a stand selling gator-themed souvenirs. "And you have to respect the way it celebrates the local culture. The Everglades are a treasure trove of history and nature."

Jen beamed, suddenly really excited with Grandma's words. "Enough waiting! Now, let's explore. There's plenty to see and do."

'Huh…girls.' I thought to myself while shrugging.

Soon after our group wandered into the heart of the festival, which was bustling with activity. Wooden booths lined the walkways, selling everything from gator juice to handmade gator pelt handbags. Children fished for plastic alligators in a small pond, while families crowded around food stands offering fried gator bites and po' boys.

The festival grounds were a chaotic but cheerful place.

"This place is incredible!" Jen said after being here for a couple of minutes, already stuffing her face with a bag of fried gator chips. "Glenn, you've gotta try these!" 

"I'll pass, thanks." Was my response as I wandered toward a stand advertising Swamp Smoothies with dubious green liquid swirling in large vats, eventually I thought while opting for a bottle of water I had brought along. 'I think I should stick with something safer.'

Jen suddenly darted toward a booth advertising photos with a live and muzzled alligator. 

"I have to do this!" She declared, dragging me along.

"I've already told you that wrestling a gator for a photo doesn't sound like a good idea." I muttered, watching my cousin with a mix of amusement and concern.

"Oh, come on, cus." Jen teased, pointing to the gator handler. "That guy probably does it all the time. I'll be fine."

The handler, a wiry man with a thick southern accent, laughed. "Y'all city folk sure got big ideas. But I wouldn't recommend it, kid."

"Guess I'll just settle for a picture, then." Jen gave a mock sigh of disappointment.

As I left Jen posing triumphantly next to the handler's gator, I found myself drawn to a nearby booth displaying intricate handbags. 

"At least there's something civilized here." I murmured to myself, admiring the craftsmanship.

Maxine, meanwhile, was chatting with a local vendor about fishing techniques and the best spots to spot gators. Jen and I eventually joined her, listening intently to the conversation.

"This is amazing." I said, my appreciation growing for the first time. "You can tell these people really care about their traditions."

Maxine nodded. "That's the spirit, Glenn. It's not just about the gators, it's about the stories, the history and the community."

"Yeah, yeah." Was Jen's dismissive response to our brief exchange.

Nearby, a small crowd had gathered around an older man spinning tales of swamp legends. Jen and I wandered over, curiosity taking over us both.

"And then there's Old Big Maw." the storyteller said, his voice low and dramatic. "The biggest, meanest gator in the swamp. Some say she's as old as the Everglades itself, reaching the size of a pickup truck and being meaner than a nest of hornets."

"Now that is the kind of gator I want to see!" Jen's eyes immediately light up at the story. "Do you think there's is a chance of this Old Big Maw being one of Dr. Animo's experiments?"

"Not everything is a mutant science project, Jen." I remarked while rolling my eyes, walking over with our Grandma. "Besides, let's hope you don't find it. Legendary or not, I don't think you are ready to take on something like that."

Jen crossed her arms with a grin. "Speak for yourself. This heroine has fought the actual krakken."

Maxine clapped her hands, gathering the group's attention. "Alright, kids! There's a live gator-wrangling show starting soon. Let's grab some seats and enjoy the show!"

Apprehension initially took over me, until I finally conceded with a shrug. "Why not?…When in Florida…"

As we headed toward the stage, I glanced around, taking in the sights and sounds of the festival. Couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for moments like this, time spent with family, especially after all the action we've been going through since our summer road trip has started.

"Thanks for bringing us here, Grandma." Jen and I both said quietly as we all watched the show.

Maxine smiled, placing a hand on our shoulders. "Anytime, kids."

————————————————————————

Dim light of flickering monitors cast eerie shadows across the cluttered interior of Dr. Animo's hidden lair. 

The abandoned observatory was a relic of a bygone era, now swallowed by the Everglades' flooded terrain. Rusted equipment and disorganized schematics littered every available surface, while tubes filled with grotesque experiments bubbled faintly in the background and a massive gator swam by the bottom of the building.

Dr. Animo, a woman of disheveled brilliance, hunched over her control console. Her frizzy hair, streaked with white, framed a face perpetually locked in a mixture of disdain and manic glee. Her thick-rimmed glasses reflected the looping footage of Jennifer Tennyson's heroic exploits playing on the monitors.

"You waste it!" Alys Olivia Animo hissed, her voice low and venomous. 

She gestured sharply toward the screens, where Jen could be seen defeating a rogue robot with one of her alien forms. 

"All that potential… squandered on mundane acts of heroism. Rescuing kittens? Stopping petty thieves? Bah!" She slammed her hand onto the console, sending a stack of papers fluttering to the floor.

The mad yet brilliant woman turned to a large screen displaying Jen's various alien forms in a looping slideshow: Handiva's immense strength, Poltergeist's intangibility, Blaze Caster's firepower, and much more. 

Animo's lips curled into a sneer.

"Do you even understand what you possess, Jennifer?" She muttered, her fingers dancing across the keys to bring up a detailed analysis of the Omnitrix's energy signature. "A marvel of biological and technological synthesis, evolution in its purest form! And yet, here you are, wasting it on saving some ignorant folk or humoring your grandmother's nostalgia trips." Her tone shifted to one of awe, tinged with greed. "But in my hands… Oh, the wonders I could achieve. I could elevate humanity beyond its pitiful limits! Disease? Eradicated. Weakness? Purged. A new world of superior beings!" She paced the room, gesturing wildly as she spoke to herself, her excitement growing. "No more struggling, no more suffering! A glorious age of evolution, where I, Dr. Animo, will lead humanity to its rightful destiny!" 

She let out a sharp, cackling laugh, echoing off the observatory's domed ceiling. But her laughter faltered as she turned back to the monitors displaying Jen's effortless victories. 

Her expression darkened.

"And yet…" She muttered, her hands gripping the edge of the console tightly. "You are… insurmountable. Your power outmatches anything I could create, for now." She sneered at the screen, her eyes narrowing. "But even the strongest cannot stand alone forever."

With a calculated swipe of her hand, she switched the feed to another set of images, ones she had gone through quite the effort to acquire. 

First, the imposing figure of a squid-like humanoid alien, her cybernetic enhancements gleaming and her eyes burning with calculated fury. 

Then, the image shifted to a younger figure: a mutated, monstrous version of Jen, her form a grotesque amalgamation of stolen powers and unstable DNA.

Dr. Animo's lips curled into a sinister grin. "Perhaps… I don't have to face you alone. There are others who would see you fall, Jennifer Tennyson. Others with grievances, with ambitions of their own. Yes… together, we could break you. And once you are out of the way…" Her gaze returned to the looping footage of Jen, her voice dropping to a whisper filled with conviction. "That alien technology will be mine!"

Animo leaned back, her grin widening as she began to type furiously on the console. 

Plans were prepared, drafted and set in motion. 

The seeds of an alliance were being sown, one that could change the balance of power forever.

————————————————————————

[BACK WITH A VENGEANCE]

The Megacruiser sailed ominously through the vast and deepest reaches of space, its armored hull glinting in the dim light of distant stars that studded the surrounding void. Within its cavernous interior, gladiator battles kept entertaining the masses, just as Slix Vigma had intended.

But the real spectacle was just beginning.

In the cargo bay, a colossal claw extended from the ship, latching onto a massive block of ice drifting among the asteroid belt. 

Encased within was a shadowy figure, its form imposing even in stillness. The claw retracted, pulling its prize into the ship as alien gladiators operated the controls in tense silence.

As they worked to secure the icy monolith, all sharing the same worry about the legends surrounding the figure within the ice, the doors to the bay suddenly hissed open and Karin Levin stormed in. 

Stalking into the cargo bay, all could see her mutated form, which was a grotesque patchwork of alien DNA and raw power. 

Her asymmetric eyes glared at the frozen figure of Vilgax, the infamous alien conqueror that had long terrorized everywhere she passed.

Karin's body was a nightmarish amalgamation of alien traits, each piece an emblem of destructive potential. Her left arm was a bulging mass of rocky molten texture, crackling with molten energy like Blaze Caster's (Heatblast) form. Her right arm shimmered with Update's (Upgrade) elastic alloy, with Poltergeist's (Ghostfreak) translucent streaks running down its length.

Her hunched torso bore similar spectral streaks, glowing faintly in the dim light and her waist was ridged with Savage Fur's (Wildmutt) sonar gills. Her legs were a grotesque hybrid of Handiva's (Four Arms) powerful musculature and Deadtime's (XLR8) wheel-like feet, allowing her to shift between devastating strength and impossible speed. A whip-like tail, tipped with Stinkfly's stinger, lashed behind her, hissing menacingly.

Her back carried insectoid Puke Queen-like (Stinkfly) wings, one ablaze with Blaze Caster's (Heatblast) flames, while the other shimmered with Crystal Shine's (Diamondhead) crystalline texture, jagged and razor-sharp. Her head was a nightmare to behold, with Handiva's (Four Arms) piercing eyes on the right, Poltergeist's (Ghostfreak) haunting, singular eye on the left, and Sea Maiden's (Ripjaws) gills and angler protruding from her jawline with Grey Mind's (Grey Matter) eye dotting its tip. Her teeth were a mismatched blend of Sea Maiden's (Ripjaws) incisors and Savage Fur's (Wildmutt) predatory fangs.

Karin's voice was deep and guttural, her words resonating with molten intensity. 

"Move aside!" She growled, flexing her monstrous claws. "This one's mine!"

The gladiators obeyed without question, intimidated by her horrific yet unstable form, as Karin stepped up to the frozen block. Her claws flexed, glowing with molten energy as she pressed a hand against the ice, sending steam billowing into the air.

"For someone that doesn't look all that tough, you better be worth it!" Karin muttered, glaring at the encased figure. "That mad scientist said you're my ticket to taking down Jen Tennyson. Let's see if she's right."

Moments earlier, as the words spoken by Karin were heard by the frozen figure, the events that had set this in motion replayed in Karin's mind.

The scene shifted to Karin standing in a dimly lit room, her molten glow casting eerie shadows on the cracked walls. Across from her stood Dr. Alys Olivia Animo, her mechanical gorilla hands gripping with precise movements as she adjusted a holographic display.

"You're wasting your potential, Ms. Levin." Dr. Animo said, her voice silky and manipulative. "Your mutation makes you stronger than any other being tied to that alien device. Yet you squander your gifts chasing petty grudges."

Karin's fists clenched. "Jen Tennyson ruined my life. This isn't petty."

"Of course not, dear." Animo replied, her tone patronizing. "But revenge alone is so… limited. What if I told you there was a way to achieve everything you want…and more?"

Karin narrowed her eyes. "I'm listening. You better not be wasting my time."

Dr. Animo's hologram shifted, revealing the image of Jen's most powerful enemy, her imposing form depicted while she clashed against Jen on top of her alien ship.

"This ruthless alien is the one who has reached our planet pursuing the piece of technology that is responsible for granting Ms. Tennyson her extraordinary powers." Animo explained. "She's a tactical genius and one of the few beings alive who understands the full potential of the watch. With her strength and your mutations, you could strip Jen of her precious powers and take your rightful place at the top."

Karin crossed her arms, skeptical. "And what's in it for you?"

"Evolution, my dear." Animo said, her enlarged hands gesturing dramatically. "Jen Tennyson's watch holds the key to advancing the human race beyond its primitive limitations. With that alien's knowledge and your power, we can unlock a new era together."

Karin stared at the hologram, her molten claws twitching. "So where is this alien?"

Dr. Animo smirked. "Leave that to me."

Back in the cargo bay, Karin's molten heat finally shattered the ice, revealing the warlord's hulking figure. Vilgax's crimson eyes snapped open as she recalled Karin's words and broke free of her icy prison with a roar.

Before Karin could speak, Vilgax lunged, delivering a devastating uppercut that sent her crashing into the wall.

"Underestimating me is a grave mistake." Vilgax growled, her voice cold and menacing. "And the last one you'll ever make."

Karin pushed herself up, wiping a trail of mutated blood from her lip. "Easy there, big shot. I didn't haul your frozen butt out of space to fight you."

Vilgax's glowing eyes narrowed. "Explain yourself."

"I've got a grudge against Jen Tennyson." Karin said, standing tall despite the pain radiating through her body. "And I hear you do too. So how about we help each other out?"

Vilgax crossed her massive arms. "And why should Vilgax align herself with… whatever you are?"

Before Karin could answer, a nearby console flickered to life with Dr. Animo's face appears on the screen, her evolved pets resting next to her with an ominous silhouette.

"Allow me to clarify…" Animo said smoothly. "Vilgax, I presume? My name is Dr. Alys Olivia Animo and I believe we share a common interest in the piece of alien technology that has fallen in the hands of a child."

"You are talking about the Omnitrix." Vilgax's eyes glimmered with suspicion. "Go on."

"As you can see, Ms. Levin here is uniquely gifted." Animo continued. "Her DNA has merged with the ones stored inside the watch, giving her a perspective and abilities I'm sure you'll find invaluable. Together with my aid, you two can finally strip Jen Tennyson of her power. And in return, you'll help me unlock the secrets of the… Omnitrix for the betterment of all humankind."

Vilgax regarded Animo's image for a long moment before shifting her gaze to Karin. "If this… alliance serves my purpose, I will entertain it. But cross me and you will regret it profoundly."

Karin smirked, her mismatched eyes gleaming. "Sounds like a deal to me."

The screen flickered off, and Dr. Animo leaned back in her hidden lair, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.

"Let's see how Jen Tennyson handles this." She murmured.

————————————————————————

MAXINE'S POV

The journey from the Everglades to our next destination was a long one, stretching over a thousand miles and spanning several states. The Rust Bucket chugged along highways and backroads, with me occasionally pulling over for scenic detours and to indulge in roadside diners. 

Days on the road gave the kids plenty of time to bicker, bond and recover from our swampy adventure, though by the time we reached our destination, even I was ready to stretch my legs and take in the breathtaking sight of the falls.

Driving the Rust Bucket into the parking lot near Niagara Falls, I could already hear the roar of cascading water even from such a distance. The mist rising from the falls caught the sunlight, casting shimmering rainbows in the air.

"This..." I declared with pride. "…is one of the greatest natural wonders of the world!"

Glenn stepped out first, taking in the breathtaking sight. "Okay, I'll admit, this is pretty awesome. Way cooler than the swamp."

Jen smirked as she hopped down, squinting through the mist. "Yeah, but can you wrestle a waterfall? No? Then I'm sticking with the swamp."

"Yeah, whatever…" Glenn adjusted her jacket, already feeling the damp chill in the air. "Who would have thought I'd need a raincoat just to look at it?"

Jen looked around with wide eyes. "It's… so loud. Is it always like this?"

I couldn't help myself from chuckling. "That's the power of nature for you. Come on, kids, there's a lot to see here."

As we approached the observation deck, the full majesty of the falls came into view. Torrents of water thundered over the edge, crashing into the river below with a force that seemed almost otherworldly. Tourists crowded the area, snapping pictures and marveling at the sight.

Jen leaned on the railing, watching the water rush by. "You know, it kind of makes you think about how small we are compared to the world."

"Deep thoughts from the girl who turns into a giant alien to punch stuff." Glenn teased, nudging her.

"Hey, I can appreciate the scenery." Jen said, rolling her eyes but smiling.

Glenn took out her camera to snap a few pictures, carefully angling the shot to avoid getting too much mist on her lens. 

"This would make an amazing postcard." He mused while Jen ran past her and leaned against the metal railings next to the edge.

"Man, I'm dying to take a dip as Sea Maiden!" She remarked nervously before conceding. "But I don't want to spook anyone."

"Who's up for a ride on the Maid of the Mist?" I finally gestured toward a nearby stand selling tickets. 

My words seemed to have caused the expected reaction, given how the kids exchanged glances, each one grinning in excitement.

Minutes later, we were boarding the iconic boat, donning bright blue ponchos. As the vessel edged closer to the falls, the mist turned into a steady spray, drenching everyone despite our protective gear.

Jen laughed, her hair sticking to her face, as a particularly strong gust sent a wave of water over her side. "This is actually insane! I love it!"

Glenn, standing near the edge, shielded his face but couldn't help grinning. "You know what? Totally worth it."

Meanwhile, as I stood at the helm, looking back at the kids with a contented smile. "This is what it's all about."

As the boat turned to head back to shore, the group huddled together, laughing and shaking off the water. Even Jen couldn't hide her smile as we returned to dry land, our clothes damp but with spirits high.

"Alright." I said as we began making our way back to the Rust Bucket. "Next stop—"

A sudden crash behind us silenced me mid-sentence. 

The ground trembled and tourists screamed, scattering as a massive figure emerged from the shadows of the nearby observation platform.

It was Vilgax, her armor gleaming and her towering frame bristling with menace. Her deep voice echoed over the noise of the falls. "So, this is where you've been hiding, Tennyson."

Jen turned, immediately activating the Omnitrix and assuming her tetramand (Handiva) form, her cocky grin faltering. 

"Vilgax." She muttered. "I already beat you once. Ready for round two?"

Vilgax's lip curled in a cold smile. "Do you think I've come unprepared this time? You'll soon learn the price of defying me."

Before Jen could respond, a deafening screech split the air. From above, a grotesque winged figure swooped down, landing beside Vilgax with an unsettling grace. 

It was Karin, her mutant form grotesquely impressive under the evening light. Her mismatched alien features pulsed with raw power.

Jen's eyes widened. "Karin? You're… back? From space?"

"Not thanks to you!" Karin hissed, her wings half-flame half-crystal fluttered menacingly. "This time, I'm about to prove that I'm not just your equal, I'm your better."

Jen took a step back, her confidence cracking. 

Two formidable enemies were bad enough, but before she could fully process the situation, a familiar, mocking voice joined the chaos.

"Better is debatable." Dr. Animo chimed in, stepping out from behind the wreckage of a tourist stand. Her lab coat was tattered, her face twisted into a delighted grin. She gestured to the mutated animals flanking her, creatures brimming with familiar alien powers. "But one thing's for sure: together, we're unstoppable. And ready to settle a score with you!"

————————————————————————

JEN'S POV

My heart sank as I looked from Vilgax to Karin, then to Dr. Animo and her creatures. My mind raced, but for the first time in a long while, I felt a sliver of doubt.

"You've got to be kidding me." I muttered, raising my fists. "You're all here… for me?"

Vilgax stepped forward, her voice low and menacing. "You should feel honored. You're no longer dealing with scattered, defeated foes. We've united, Tennyson, to ensure you and that Omnitrix fall today."

Glancing over my shoulder at Maxine and Glenn. "You two… might want to get out of here."

Maxine frowned but nodded, pulling Glenn back. 

"Be careful, Jen." Glenn called over the growing tension.

"Alright, fine." Turning back to the villainous trio, forcing a grin despite my growing unease. "You want to ruin my vacation? Big mistake!"

Handiva's powerful stance cracked the pavement beneath me as I began squaring off against Vilgax and Karin. 

Thankfully the crowd of tourists had scattered completely now, leaving the battlefield clear, save for the ominous sound of rushing water from the falls.

With a roar Vilgax slammed her fists into the ground, sending a shockwave that knocked me off balance. Before I could recover, Karin darted in with surprising agility, her mutated form utilizing Deadtime's (XLR8) speed, Handiva's (Four Arms) strength and Crystal Shine's (Diamondhead) invulnerability sent me skidding across the ground.

"Think you are clever, Karin? Attacking me with the combinations I taught you?" I snarled while switching to Crystal Shine (Diamondhead) mid-slid, with my shimmering and crystalline for deflecting Karin's follow-up punches.

Karin roared with rage before unleashing a barrage of fire blasts and diamond shards aimed at me, which at first my barrier managed to block until Vilgax stepped in and caught me by surprise with one of her thunderous blows, shattering my barrier and sending me flying against a nearby tree.

"Ladies, two against one?" I quipped, while recovering myself back to my feet while keeping my adversaries in sight. "Doesn't seem very sporting."

Karin's mismatched eyes gleamed at me with malice. "You think you can talk your way out of this, Jen? Cute." 

Her wings extended, glowing faintly as her mutated form seemed to radiate power just as Vilgax raised her fist, the alien conqueror hulking frame casting a long shadow over the battlefield. 

"Sporting or not, this ends with you broken." Vilgax declared while striking with all her might.

Not willing to wait for them to put me on the defensive, with a battle cry, switching back to my Handiva (Four Arms) form and launching myself at Vilgax, putting all my weight behind my fists. 

The alien conqueror managed to block the blow, but the shockwave still sent loose debris flying in every direction.

"You've gotten stronger." Vilgax admitted, shoving me back with immense force.

"And you've gotten slower!" I angrily retorted, flipping over a low swipe from Karin's stinging tail.

For a moment, the battlefield was a blur of motion, as I constantly switched between my transformations in order to catch my opponents by surprise since I knew my raw strength wouldn't be a match for Vilgax's brute force.

However, Karin kept darting in with precise saves, her grotesque hybrid form always ready to counter me just in time.

"You call this being my better?" I taunted Karin while dodging a flaming wing strike from her. "You've just proven how outclassed you are against me."

Karin sneered, her claws sparking as they clashed against my Crystal Shine's (Diamondhead) crystalline shield. "Big talk coming from the one who relies on an alien wristwatch to stay relevant."

As the three of us kept exchanging blows, a quiet hum began to rise in the background. 

I barely noticed it at first, too focused on keeping up with the relentless assault. But when the sound became a steady, almost hypnotic drone, I chanced a glance behind me.

That was my mistake.

Vilgax seemed ready to capitalize on my distraction, landing a brutal uppercut that sent me crashing into the side of a parked tour bus. The impact left a massive dent on my crystal body and for a moment, everything seemed to slow down.

"Perfect." Dr. Animo declared, stepping forward, her hands clasped behind her back. "Keep her occupied a little longer, would you?"

Groaning, I pushed myself out of the wreckage. 

"What now?" I muttered, blinking as my vision cleared. 

My eyes widened as I spotted Dr. Animo standing near a towering device bristling with glowing panels and mechanical arms.

"This!" Animo said with a wicked grin as she displayed her mysterious creation. "Say hello to my special machine! It's calibrated specifically for you, my dear. Took me months to perfect, but now? Now it's ready to make history."

"What's wrong, Jen? Feeling a little…outnumbered?" Karin taunted, hovering protectively in front of Animo. "Why don't you just run away and hide while we go after some innocent tourists."

Animo's fingers danced over a control panel, her mutant pets circling her as she worked. A massive bat with molten, rocky wings hissed overhead, while a grotesque frog with gills and claws lumbered nearby.

"Let me guess…" I said, still catching my breath. "You're going to monologue about how brilliant your plan is before I ruin it?"

"Not quite." Animo replied, smirking. "I already know how this ends…with you as nothing more than a footnote in my rise to glory."

The Omnitrix glowed faintly on my chest badge as I prepared to switch form, but before I could make my move, the ground erupted beneath me. 

Animo's mutant pets surged forward, each one enhanced with alien DNA stolen from my watch. 

The bat swooped down, spewing molten blasts, while the frog leapt with terrifying speed, its claws slashing wildly.

Transforming mid-roll and shifting into Deadtime (XLR8), my speedy and agile form allowed me to evade the frog's strikes. "Seriously, Animo? Animal hybrids again?"

"Some classics never go out of style." Animo replied, chuckling.

The giant fiery bat dove and I countered with a powerful thunderclap just as I assumed my Handiva (Four Arms) form, sending it spiraling away. But the giant frog seized the opening, landing a hit that knocked me towards the extraction machine.

Animo clapped her hands together, delighted. "That's it, push her closer! The machine is ready!"

My heart raced as I struggled to keep up with the relentless assault. 

Vilgax and Karin hung back, watching with predatory interest. I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't just about beating me, it was about wearing me down, leaving me too weak to resist.

The fight was only beginning, but I could already feel the weight of the villains' carefully laid plans pressing down on me.

————————————————————————

GLENN'S POV

From a safe distance, Grandma and I watched the chaotic battle unfold near the roaring Niagara Falls. 

Jen, now in her Sea Maiden (Ripjaws) form, darted and weaved between attacks from Dr. Animo's mutant creations while still fending off Karin and Vilgax's looming presence as they seemed ready to strike at Jen's first opening.

"She's holding her own." I said, my tone wavering. "For now."

"For now isn't good enough." Maxine replied sharply, her knuckles whitening as she gripped the handle of her travel bag. Her eyes darted between the fight and the extraction machine, its ominous hum growing louder. "They're not just trying to beat her, they're setting her up for something bigger."

A particularly fierce exchange caught our attention. Karin's mutated wings sent a shockwave of crystal shards toward Jen, forcing her to dive into a stream of water to avoid the onslaught. 

For a moment, Jen disappeared beneath the storming surface.

"She's fine." I said quickly, though my voice was tight. "She's—"

Jen shot out of the water, her Blaze Caster (Hearblast) form shimmering as she countered with a stream of concentrated fire aimed at Karin. The attack hit home, but Karin merely snarled and kept coming, her grotesque hybrid form adapting to the assault.

My gaze lingered on Karin longer than I intended. 

The last time I'd seen her, she was just an angry, determined teenager trying to prove herself alongside Jen in the streets of New York. There was something almost relatable in her then, a rawness, a desire to be something more.

Now? Now she was… this. Twisted. Mutated. Powerful, sure, but inhuman in a way that made my stomach churn.

"Glenn." Maxine's voice cut through my thoughts. She had noticed my stare and gave me a pointed look.

"I just—" I began, fumbling for words. "She wasn't always like this, you know?"

Maxine sighed and adjusted her bag over her shoulder. "What she was doesn't matter. What's happening right now does." Her eyes flicked back to Jen, who had shifted into Poltergeist (Ghostfreak) to get some breathing room from all the never ending offensive. "We can't help her like this, Glenn. Not directly."

"And we're just supposed to leave her?" I asked, frustration bubbling to the surface.

Maxine didn't flinch. "No. We're supposed to act smart. Follow me."

She led me back to the RV that was at secure vantage point, throwing her bag to the side as she walked inside, concealed inside one of the many hidden spots inside the Rust Bucket was a sleek, high-tech weapon: a null void projector, a tool she had hoped she'd never have to use.

"You brought that from Mt. Rushmore?" I asked, my eyes widening.

"Of course I brought it." Maxine said briskly. "You think I didn't plan for something like this? Unfortunately the situation might've arrived."

Nodding, my expression conflicted, I stole one last glance at Karin, her mutated form lunging toward Jen in her Savage Fur (Wildmutt) form with unnatural ferocity. For a fleeting moment, I thought I saw a trace of the girl I used to be, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by cold, unrelenting malice.

————————————————————————

JEN'S POV

Back at my Handiva (Four Arms) form, I unleashed a powerful seismic punch that sent Karin skidding backward, but the relentless mutant didn't stay down for long. 

Barely having time to catch my breath before Vilgax's massive form barreled toward me, forcing me to leap into the air, switching mid-flight into Puke Queen (Stinkfly). Streams of goo erupted from her eyes, forming a thick and adhesive layer over Vilgax, but her armored body pushed through, slowed but unyieldingly powerful.

"Such futile resistance." Vilgax growled, slamming a heavy fist straight into my chest. The force sent me tumbling downward, landing perilously close to the glowing platform of Dr. Animo's machine.

"Careful not to hurt yourself, heroine." Dr. Animo called out from her perch behind the machine, her voice dripping with smug satisfaction. "Do keep dancing around some more, it only helps me lock onto your energy signature faster!"

The machine whirred ominously, its spindly mechanical arms twitching in anticipation. A vibrant green beam shot out, locking onto me and reaching straight for my Omnitrix badge.

I couldn't help myself from screaming as the Omnitrix's light flickered wildly, the alien device resisting with all its might against whatever the machine was trying to accomplish.

"Big mistake!" I declared with a satisfied smile before quickly changing into my Update (Upgrade) form.

Vilgax used my momentary distraction to her advantage, landing near with a horrifying heavy landing, only for her to reach for me with a weapon. 

I managed to block the blow, but to my surprise it wasn't meant to be used for a physical attack, but a powerful electrical discharge instead.

Instinctively trying to take control of the electrified piece of alien tech, the force still sent me staggering back onto the platform, where the green beam intensified its grip on my Omnitrix symbol.

"Time is ticking, Tennyson!" Dr. Animo crowed, her fingers dancing across the machine's controls. "Soon, you'll be free of that troublesome toy!"

Gritting my nonexistent teeth, my metallic form sparked under the strain of holding off both Vilgax's powerful taser and the machine. 

Karin soon joined the fray, her attacks with unnerving precision, her hybrid form exploiting every advantage to keep me from merging with any piece of tech nearby.

The extraction machine's whirring grew louder, the green beam pulsating in time with the Omnitrix's flickering light. A thin crack appeared on the Omnitrix's faceplate, sending a jolt of panic through my core.

"Not good, not good!" I muttered, stuck unable to either merge with the machine or switch to a different form, let alone shake the grip of the extraction machine.

Dr. Animo smirked, her eyes gleaming with triumph as the process was just about done. "Oh, don't be a sore loser, my dear!"

The machine's whirring grew deafening, the green beam now solid and unyielding as it finally began removing the Omnitrix from me. My energy reserves were running low, and I could feel the alien device struggling and failing to resist the pull. 

For the first time, the possibility of losing it felt terrifyingly real.

"Not like this!" I muttered, sparks flying off my metal body as I tried in vain to break free from the beam's grip. Vilgax loomed before me, a cruel smirk on her face as she raised her weapon for another blow.

But before she could strike, a sudden, familiar voice roared through the chaos. "Jen! Hang in there!"

I turned my head just enough to catch a glimpse of Grandma Maxine and Glenn, their faces a mixture of determination and fear. In Maxine's hands was the Null Void gun, the one I haven't seen since Mt. Rushmore.

"Guys, what are you doing?!" I shouted, panic creeping into my voice as I worried about their safety.

"Saving your butt, that's what!" Glenn called back, helping Grandma steady the gun as it charged up.

Dr. Animo's attention snapped toward them and I saw the mad scientist's triumphant grin falter. "No! Don't you dare—"

But before Animo could finish, the Null Void gun fired and let out a swirling vortex erupting from its front lense. The portal expanded rapidly, its gravitational pull catching everything in its path.

Vilgax turned, her eyes widening as the vortex began tugging at her massive frame. She dug her claws into the ground, snarling with rage. "You insolent—!"

Karin let out a guttural roar, her grotesque wings beating furiously against the pull, but even her hybrid strength struggled against the force.

Dr. Animo clung to her machine, screaming obscenities. "You fools! You'll ruin everything!"

The machine finally succumbed to the vortex's strength, sparks flying as it was ripped apart piece by piece. Dr. Animo let out a scream of fury as she lost her grip and was sucked into the portal, her cries fading into the swirling void.

The vortex intensified and I could feel its pull on me as well. My Update (Upgrade) form wasn't heavy enough to resist, but I could at least stretch myself to reach my family.

However, as my lower body had been swallowed by the portal, I reached instead for the Null Void Gun and immediately assimilated its technological blueprints.

"This isn't over, Tennyson!" Vilgax's resistance faltered next as she bellowed before being dragged in, her massive frame disappearing into the swirling chaos.

Before both Glenn and Grandma could shout for me in fear for my safety, I merely blinked with my singular neon-lighted eye and said. "Thanks for the save, be right back!"

As Maxine nodded back at me with a trusting smile, I noticed Glenn's eyes weren't on me, they were on Karin, conflicted, as though some part of him still saw the person she used to be.

"Karin, wake up!" He shouted at her. "This isn't you! You don't have to do this!"

Karin's gaze flickered, her monstrous features twisting with something almost human, anger, pain, or regret, I couldn't tell. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by her usual cold resolve.

"You're wasting your breath, Glenn." She spat, her claws digging into the ground to resist the pull, but failing. "I chose this."

Karin held out the longest, her hybrid form resisting with sheer ferocity, but even she couldn't hold out forever. 

"You haven't won!" She screamed as the vortex claimed her too.

I barely had time to react as the pull on me intensified and the vortex yanked the rest of my body, the last thing I saw were the faces of Glenn and Grandma before everything went dark.

Before I could properly brace myself, I was flung through a blinding vortex of swirling yellow light. My form flickered uncontrollably as the Omnitrix struggled to stabilize under the chaotic energies, the sensation of falling stretching endlessly.

Then, with a bone-jarring thud, I landed hard on a jagged, floating chunk of rock. Groaning, I pushed myself upright from the metallic puddle my body had become on impact. My gaze darted around, trying to make sense of my surroundings. 

Endless void in shades of deep purples and fiery oranges stretched as far as the eye could see.

The air, or whatever passed for it, was thick, heavy with a strange trail of energy that seemed to vibrate within my nonexistent bones. Around me, floating fragments of what seemed like shattered worlds drifted lazily, each one glowing faintly at its edges, as if barely holding themselves together.

Even as I tried to remain focused, the unnerving void seemed alive, watching me. Its silence was broken only by distant, echoing roars and faint whispers. The weight of the place pressed down on me like a challenge, daring me to falter.

A violent crash behind me shook the platform I was on, nearly sending me tumbling over the edge. 

I turned just in time to see Vilgax rise from her impact, her massive frame imposing as ever. Her crimson eyes swept over the area, cold and calculating. I dropped into a defensive stance instinctively, though even she seemed momentarily distracted by the oppressive energy of this strange dimension.

Before she could say anything, a shrill scream pierced the air. Dr. Animo tumbled out of the portal next, landing in a heap of shattered machine parts. Her mutated pets followed soon after, their grotesque forms squirming and snarling as if lost and confused.

Then, a guttural roar echoed above us, announcing Karin's arrival. She slammed into the rocky platform with such force that cracks spidered across its surface. Her monstrous wings flared wide and her eyes burned with unbridled fury as she fought to her feet, her claws scraping against the unstable ground.

"The Null Void." Vilgax finally growled, her voice reverberating ominously in the thick air. "A dimension where the universe's most dangerous beings are exiled. Prisoners, monsters… and now, us."

"Perfect," Karin muttered under her breath, brushing dust off her shoulders and kicking a loose rock into the void. "Just perfect."

I glanced down, realizing how precariously small the rock was for the four of us. Its edges crumbled into the swirling chaos below, a constant reminder of how little margin for error we had.

Dr. Animo scrambled to her feet, frantically adjusting her cracked glasses. "No, no, no! This is all wrong! My calculations—"

"Save it, Doc!" Vilgax snapped, her frustration boiling over. Her eyes locked onto me, and the tension in the air became suffocating. "At least we've cornered our prey. Her weakened state will make this all the easier."

I gritted my teeth, my form still unable to shift to another transformation due to the Omnitrix being glitching out after Dr. Animo's machine almost took it from me. But if I wanted to manifest a Null Void gun to get out of here, I'd need to create space between me and my opponents…and fast.

Before any of us could make a move, however, a voice cut through the oppressive silence, stopping us in our tracks.

"Hey, Jen. Mind if I join the party?"

My head snapped up. Lying casually on a smaller floating rock nearby was… me. Well, not me. Ben.

An alternate-dimension version of me.

————————————————————————

MC'S POV

I know, I know. Kind of an A-whole move just showing now, especially after all the struggle Jen had gone through.

But what you don't get is that not only didn't she ask for my help up till now, but I also needed to know if Jen's version of Azimuth would've shown up once it became clear that the Omnitrix could've been removed.

Suffice to say that from what I got, Jen's version of Azimuth either doesn't really care all that much about what's happening here, or she somehow knew I was going to learn how to switch dimensions just in time to help Jen out.

Even after spending time in my Ultimate Galvan (Grey Matter) form, I concluded that the chances of the second option being plausible were basically negligible.

Just for reference, it was considerably more likely that due to it being Animo's machine it might've provoked Jen's Omnitrix to activate its self-destruction mode, so I've concluded that Jen's Azimuth was still skulking around in Xenon oblivious to what was happening to her creation.

Regardless, what I had before me was the perfect opportunity to enjoy fighting the enemies that no longer plagued my dimension.

"Who's that, Jen? Another cousin of yours?" The evil version of Kate that I've come to know from spying through Jen's Omnitrix as Karin, asked with noticeable annoyance.

Curiously, her mutations weren't exactly equal to the ones presented by her male counterpart.

"Ben, you are quite the sight for sore eyes." Jen told me with a sheepish smile, completely lowering her guard as she looked at me. "I was just about to ask for a little help, but my…eh…phone got messed up." 

"Ha! Ben?" Karin laughed out loud. "What's the deal with you Tennysons and your rhyming names?"

"Stay vigilant, Ms. Levin." Dr. Animo suggested while letting go of her ruined machine. "I don't believe a regular kid would be just laying around in a place such as this."

This variant of the mad scientist I've manipulated to join the Forever Knights in my dimension appeared like a bootleg version of the female Doc Ock from the first Spider-Verse movie.

"Reveal your purpose, boy!" Vilgax demanded coldly, showing me that I had the undivided attention of the trio of villains.

Rising up to my full height while dusting off my clothes, I stared down at them with a confident smile and faked a magical stunt with my hands only to reveal my own Omnitrix. 

"Impossible!" The three villains all shouted in surprise as I casually fell from the floating rock I was standing on and landed next to Jen without breaking a sweat.

"You've done good, kid. Rest for now." I told Jen while patting her in the head with my left hand, mentally commanding Alpha to repair her Omnitrix. "I will handle it from here."

Glancing back at the three villains that had teamed up to defeat my cute pupil, I began wondering what I should do with each one of them.

"Ladies, here is the deal…" I said, always finding it amusing how my opponents so often underestimated me. "…bow down and swear that you will end your villainous ways, otherwise don't blame me for not taking it easy on you."

"Shut up!" Karin growled as she rushed at me full speed with clear murderous intent.

Unfortunately for her I had long learned how to assume one of my alien forms in a blink of an eye, just as the bright green flash momentarily blinded Karin's sight of me, my bluish large hand caught her by the throat.

With both Vilgax and Dr. Animo's shocked stares on my Ultimate Tetramand (Four Arms) transformation casually strangling Karin with a single hand, I let out a satisfied laugh.

'Thank god I managed to drill it in Kate's thick head that being a knuckle head is never a good idea.' I thought before subtly brainwashing her to make sure she would follow the path of redemption that would've made her consider joining Jen five years from now.

Having finished that I coldly chokeslammed Karin down aiming to knock her out, completely obliterating the ground we were standing on and sending my first victim into the unending void at ludicrous speed.

Fortunately by then Jen had noticed I'd fixed her watch and restored its master control, proved by how she quickly assumed her Puke Queen (Stinkfly) form and took flight.

"Yeah! Give them hell, Ben!" Jen cheered for me, to which I just responded with a confident thumbs up.

As for the other remaining villains, Vilgax easily jumped for another floating rock that could support her weight while Dr. Animo was aided by her giant fiery bat but her second pet ended up falling down until it crashed into another rock.

"Man, when did you get this form?" Jen asked me with her high-pitched voice as she hovered in place next me.

"You mean this guy?" I asked smugly while flexing my massive blue arm. "Don't tell me you haven't recognized Handiva's favorite dancing partner?"

"Oh my god! Don't tell me you managed to…" Just as the realization hit Jen, someone else spoke up.

"Accelerate its evolution! That's my idea!" Dr. Animo declared as she remembered her own DNA transmodulator technology. "Vilgax, you must help me acquire that boy's Omnitrix."

"I need to do nothing, insufferable human!" Vilgax growled at the mad scientist, scaring her as she rode her giant bat. "Since both your machine has failed its purpose and the lesser version of the Omnitrix has been defeated with a single attack, your usefulness has ended."

Just as Vilgax was about to turn to face me, I sent her flying back hitting her straight in the chest while curled up in a ball, though for the first time I had assumed my Ultimate Arburian Pelarota (Cannonbolt) form.

Fortunately, instead of the massive disappointment that was its canon depiction, I now appeared as a massive armored pangolin-like pillbug alien, with four limbs and a massive flat tail, that naturally stood upright with a hunched body. My backside and shoulders were covered in durable metallic armor and nasty spikes.

"So glad you have decided to go for some cybernetic enhancements in this dimension…" I told Vilgax who had landed against a far away larger piece of rock and was now both bleeding and shedding off pieces of her broken armor. "…otherwise this would've been a very pathetic rematch for the two of us."

Right then, probably hoping that I wasn't paying attention at her, Dr. Animo ordered her flying beast to turn around and flee from me.

"Come on, Doc." I before using my tail to propel me towards her direction with great momentum. "Didn't the secretary tell you that you have an appointment with me?"

As I shot past them while curled up in a ball, I left my tail dangling just so I could slap Dr. Animo's mount instead of having to risk killing them both with the impact, however the tail slap was still no joke given how I easily tore off the flaming bat's head.

Meanwhile, as Dr. Animo began falling to the endless abyss beneath us, Jen could only gawk from a distance at how effortlessly I managed to turn the tables on the villainous group that had almost defeated her.

Luckily for Dr. Animo, her mutated frog reached her just in time to prevent any fatal fall on the first rock she would've come into contact with.

Before I could continue with tormenting the poor old doctor, Vilgax felt confident enough to try sneak attack me with one of her infamous power strikes, however it barely registered on me as I had an extra layer of defense with my tail now wrapped around me.

"I really don't want to sound sexist here, Vilgax." I pointed out before spinning in place while just like sonic usually do before dashing forward. "But your male version definitely punched way harder than you!"

After saying that I released the metaphorical brake pedal and immediately ran her over, with my spikes leaving even deeper cuts and stripping her from the rest of her armor this time.

"Tsc, tsc. Why don't you just lay there for a moment while I finish getting my prescription with the good doctor?" I told Vilgax as I kept my momentum while ricocheting all around the floating rocks in my path like a pinball ball. "Jen, would you mind keeping an eye on her?"

"I'm on it!" I heard her voice as she shifted forms and darted towards the fallen alien conqueror.

Finally reaching the still retreating figure of Dr. Animo, who was mounted on her alien-mutated giant frog, I fell right before where her mount was about to land from its last leap. Twirling in place with my tail left hanging again, I easily thrashed another one of her mutant minions and launching it aside while Dr. Animo was left in place before falling down to the ground.

"You know…" I began while turning back to my human form, clearly startling the already spooked mad scientist. "…since you haven't attacked me yet, my offer still stands."

"Alright, alright, I give up. You've beaten me." Dr. Animo surrendered with her arms raised, before giving one of her creepy smiles. "Take me to jail, Tennyson from a different dimension."

"You are rotten to the core, aren't you ma'am? Lucky you that you are also brilliant." I snicker at her after already knowing her superficial thoughts without even having to use my magical aura. "And who said anything about jail?"

"I-I…don't understand." Her mad grin immediately faltered. "But you said…"

"I know what I said…" I told her with a dismissive hand gesture, actually glad that Jen was nearby. "But who are we fooling…the great Dr. Animo would never let a slight go unanswered, nor would she forswear her ways. Well, at least not in this dimension."

This time I was the one to give out a wicked smile as my eyes glowed green and Dr. Animo found herself powerless to stop me.

Took me no more than a minute to settle things with the brains of this operation before speeding all the way back to Jen, who had managed to keep the badly wounded Vilgax in place.

"Is everything well around here?" Asked once I halted my speed while in my Kineceleran form and lifted my face visor.

"As well as it can be, Ben." She replied already back to her human form. "She is still breathing and Karin hasn't come back yet. These evolved forms of yours totally know how to settle things quickly." Jen raised her left arm towards me, displaying her Omnitrix to me with a friendly smile. "Thanks for the tech support, but any chance you can get me that upgrade of yours?"

"Not yet, buddy. Perhaps as a birthday gift, if you don't get your hands on it earlier." I told her while reaching to give her a gentle head rub. "You are already acting like a pro hero, you know?"

"Cut it out, dude." She said gently brushing my hand to the side before twirling a strand of her hair around her finger, her face now starting to blush. "But thanks for the compliment."

"You are welcome." I told her while picking up the gadget I've build from the blueprint I got of Tetrax's Prison Cube Deployer, deploying a floating blue cube of energy that enveloped the female Vilgax and shrunk her down for more practical transportation.

"Wow!" Jen remarked with an impressed smile, noticing the empty spot Vilgax was laid down just a few moments ago. "Guess I already know what you've done to Dr. Animo. A pity you had to punch Karin into the next week. Your version of her must have made you quite angry for you to chokeslam her like you did."

"To be honest, not really, it's just that these Ultimate forms are no joke." I said while scratching the back of my head, making her believe that I wasn't going after Karin due to having accidentally sent her beyond our reach. "With luck this dimension will knock some sense into the head of this version of yours."

From Jen's expression I could easily see that she was surprised by the prospect of having too much power to handle, probably understanding why I wasn't all that onboard with sharing it with her this soon.

"Nah, I've already lost count of how many times I've tried to make her see the jerk she had become after she got a taste of the Omnitrix. Even Glenn almost got hurt trying to reason with her." Jen eventually opened up to me about it. "I just hope this place keeps her from hurting any more innocent lives."

"Me too." Was all I could say with Jen getting serious all of the sudden.

Until her mood lit up again and she began making small talk, obviously understating that since the bad guys have been dealt with, my reason for staying here was gone. "It's nice to finally meet you properly. You know, face to face without you being stuck inside my cousin's body. You look older than him though, no offense."

"Heh, why would I take offense? I'm still enough of a kid to not bother about my age." I told her with a chuckle. 

"Sure, makes sense." She quickly replied with an embarrassed smile, until she recalled that she needed to go back before her family would start getting worried enough to come for her. "Oh, man, there's so much I would like to speak about, but Grandma and Glenn are still waiting for me back home. Would you like to meet them?"

"Thanks for the offer, but I think I will pass this time." I told her with a friendly tone. "Perhaps next time I might bring you to my dimension and show you my version of our family."

"Dude, that would be so cool." She said while immediately getting excited. "Then I guess it is goodbye for now."

"I'm afraid so, little Jen. Take care." I said, offering her my hand for her to shake, instead she rushed at me with a hug.

"Thanks again for showing up, you were my hero today." She said with her mouth being somewhat muffled by her close proximity to my chest, as she retreated back and quickly assumed her Update (Upgrade) form, it didn't escape me that she was about to start shedding some tears.

With the most powerful device in the universe or not, she was still a ten year old girl, and she had gone through the ringer just recently.

Watching as she managed to replicate the Plumber technology with her hand, she eventually manifested her own portal back to her dimension, stopping for a moment to say her last goodbye.

To which I merely nodded back with a reassuring smile.

Once the golden portal was over, I could go back to what I've been doing before rushing to rescue Jen.

I went back to explore this uncharted realm.

But one thing I noticed inside my pant's pocket before moving was a golden sumo slammer card that obviously had been a gift from Jen.

"That sneaky kid." I mused with genuine appreciation for the token of appreciation she left for me.

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Far beyond the reaches of Earth, on a modest world orbiting a sun whose light barely touched the galaxy's turbulent heart, a sanctuary flourished. 

Once an empty, barren land, it had been shaped into a haven by countless hands, hands belonging to refugees, outcasts and the weary survivors of conflicts that had scarred the stars. 

Among them was a unique group of settlers: gladiators recently freed from the arenas of the Megacruiser, where they had been forced to fight for the profit of Slix Vigma and the entertainment of his patrons.

For these souls, there had been no home to return to, no world waiting to welcome them. And so, they forged something new, a community built on survival, solidarity and the unyielding will to rebuild lives shattered by war and captivity.

But their resilience alone wasn't what set this settlement apart. It was something deeper, something intangible yet unmistakable. 

Among the community's many gatherings and routines, whispers of a new faith began to spread, a belief system so profound and unifying that it caught the attention of neighboring settlements, drawing pilgrims and the curious from all corners of the planet.

This faith, now known as the Omni-Faith, embraced all races and cultures, uniting beings of starkly different origins under a single guiding principle: the belief in a messiah. 

This prophesied figure, known only as the Great Deliverer, was said to rise in a time of galactic need to heal the wounds of the cosmos, purge the corruption festering in its heart, and lead all sentient beings toward harmony.

At the heart of this burgeoning movement stood three figures who were both its architects and its living symbols. 

They were no strangers to the galaxy's harsh realities, once bound to the will of a monstrous entity known as the Great One, their lives had been steeped in darkness and servitude. Yet now, they stood as beacons of renewal, their rebirth marked by new names and roles that reflected their transformed purpose.

Nomothetikí, The Lawgiver, stood tall at the forefront, his voice carrying the weight of wisdom and authority. Once a manipulative leader who twisted words into weapons, he now wove sermons of unity, hope, and purpose.

At his side was Ektelestikí, The Executor, whose imposing presence had once been synonymous with brute force and fear. Now, he was the stalwart protector of the faith, dedicating his strength to safeguarding their shared vision and those who followed it.

Completing the triad was Hermeneftikí, The Interpreter, whose gift for understanding and bridging languages had once been used to enforce domination. Now, he used it to connect disparate peoples and bring the faith's teachings to the farthest corners of the galaxy.

Together, these three, once harbingers of despair, had become the stewards of a new hope. 

The Omni-Faith's rise was swift, its message resonating deeply with the displaced and disenfranchised. 

It offered a sense of purpose, a belief that the galaxy's fractured state could one day be mended and that their collective suffering had meaning within a grander design.

On this day, as the twin moons of the planet rose high, their pale light bathed a vast congregation gathered for a ceremonial chant. Thousands stood together, their voices rising in rhythmic harmony. 

At the forefront, Nomothetikí raised his hand, silencing the crowd with the ease of a practiced leader.

"Brothers and sisters of the stars…" He began, his voice calm yet commanding. "…we were once scattered, broken, and enslaved. We come from different worlds, speak different tongues and bear different scars. But today, we stand as one. Through faith, we have found purpose. Through unity, we have found strength. And through the promise of the Great Deliverer, we will find redemption for ourselves, and for the galaxy."

The crowd erupted into cheers, a tidal wave of sound that echoed across the settlement and into the surrounding wilderness. 

Beneath the surface of their devotion, an unspoken truth lingered: this faith had been born of pain, but its roots were strong, its foundation unshakable.

Above them, the stars shimmered faintly in the night sky, their light a reminder of the vastness of the galaxy and of the challenges yet to come. 

Far beyond their sight, on a distant planet known as Earth, the architect of their liberation walked a path of his own, aware of how the seeds he had sown were already beginning to bloom.

This faith, this Omni-Faith, was but the beginning. And one day, its reach would stretch far beyond this humble world, its voice carrying the name of its Deliverer to every corner of the cosmos.

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(15/01/2025)

*Hey there! Thanks for reading my work! I hope this chapter is of your liking. 

Any ideas for powers, adventure arcs and girls are more than welcomed. I might not use anything, but you will have my gratitude for trying.

If this chapter is a mess of grammatical errors, please wait, I'll promptly try to fix it. But for that I need your feedback.

Thanks as always for your time, hope you have a fantastic day and please stay safe.

Bye.

**Oh yeah, you guys aren't imagining things, another chapter this earlier after I've just recently updated my fic. I would recommend that you all don't get too used to it, but I imagine it has already been well established that I take my time with writing my story.

As for the reason why this one was written faster than usual, it is simply because I sort of had a more simplified version of both the last two episodes of season 2 ready to be released alongside my previous chapter. Hopefully I've managed to flesh it out enough to make it worth having its own chapter. I've even had the opportunity to hint/foreshadow some plot points that have been happening in the background and will eventually become more relevant to my story.

I'm obviously speaking of both exploring the Null Void with its potential for fleshing out not only the Omniverse but also bridge into other realities from different franchises, as well the beginning of a religious tradition that will start spreading throughout the universe.

I know, big stuff to introduce all at once, that's why I'm bringing it up this earlier.

Now onto the main topic…

Bringing Jen back to the fold was something I've been meaning to do since her debut chapter, but for some reason it always breaks the flow of the chapters since then. As you've seen I've implied that both Jen and my MC's were keeping in touch through their Omnitrixes, with this chapter showcasing their first real encounter.

With how impactful the Master Control was for any user of the watch, I had to take into consideration how it would impact on her heroic adventures. Prime Ben already had his hands full with just Kevin 11 and Vilgax teaming up, so I just added Dr. Animo to spice things up. Clearly the three of them were no match for my MC, but I'm pleased with how I've managed to have Jen handle them for a while, hopefully most of you will agree with me.

On a final note, some of you might be aware of how fast Jen caught up with my MC's timeline of episodes, given how she just received her Omnitrix and fought Vilgax while he was already in season 2. My main justification would be that the order of her episodes wouldn't be the same, given how she fought Vilgax day 1 into her hero journey, as well as not having to worry about being stuck as grey matter in the water park or having to fight ghostfreak.

Hopefully that explanation will be enough for most of you.