Intro:

No One POV:

Everything was relatively normal in Hell, as much as it could be in such a place.

Meanwhile, back at the hotel, HeatBlast was entertaining himself in the main room. Collin, feeling a bit downcast, watched with curiosity as HeatBlast prepared to show him something.

HeatBlast: "So, you wanna see something cool?"

HeatBlast smirked confidently as he addressed Collin.

Collin: "Y-yeah, sure"

Collin's eyebrow raised with anticipation, wondering what Ben had in store.

HeatBlast: "Okay, I've been practicing this for a while"

With a smirk, HeatBlast backed away and rubbed his hands together. Suddenly, a fireball materialized in his hand.

Collin's eyes widened in surprise.

Collin: "Woah, t-that's cool"

He began to clap, but HeatBlast quickly gestured for him to stop.

HeatBlast: "Hold on a sec, little guy, and check this out"

With a flourish, HeatBlast created two more fireballs and started juggling them skillfully.

HeatBlast smirked as he effortlessly juggled the fireballs, his movements precise and fluid.

HeatBlast: "Impressive, right? But check this out"

With a flick of his wrist, he sent one of the fireballs spinning in a circle around his body, leaving a trail of flames in its wake.

Collin's eyes widened in amazement.

Collin: "Whoa, that's incredible!"

HeatBlast grinned, reveling in the admiration.

HeatBlast: "Pretty cool, huh? But watch this!"

He concentrated, and suddenly, the flames took on different shapes, forming intricate patterns and even spelling out Collin's name in fiery letters.

Collin's jaw dropped in awe.

Collin: "I've never seen anything like it!"

HeatBlast chuckled, enjoying the attention.

HeatBlast: "Just a little trick I picked up. Being a hero isn't all fighting villains, you know. Sometimes, you gotta entertain the crowd too"

Collin nodded enthusiastically, thoroughly impressed by HeatBlast's display of skill and charisma.

Collin couldn't contain his excitement as he watched HeatBlast's fiery display.

Collin: "Wow, Ben! That's amazing! Your transformations are so cool!"

But as Collin admired Ben's abilities, a shadow of self-doubt crossed his face. He glanced down at himself, feeling inadequate compared to the heroic figure before him.

Collin: "I wish I could do something like that. I'm not even close to being as cool as you"

HeatBlast noticed Collin's change in demeanor and sighed, slamming the Omnitrix on his chest. In a flash of light, he transformed back into his human form and walked over to Collin, kneeling down beside him.

Ben: "Hey, Collin, don't sell yourself short. You might not have superpowers or cool transformations, but you've got something even better- your...uhh own unique talents and strengths? Yeah, you just gotta believe in yourself, or so I have heard"

Collin looked up at Ben, his eyes wide with surprise and gratitude.

Collin: "You really think so?"

Ben grinned, his cocky demeanor returning.

Ben: "Of course! And besides, being cool is overrated. It's all about being confident in who you are. And trust me, angel buddy, you've got what it takes to be a hero in your own way"

Collin's smile returned, feeling reassured by Ben's words of encouragement.

Ben then heard a voice behind him with a hint of a radio effect overlaying it.

???: "Well, isn't that cute"

Ben's face hardened as he sensed the malicious intentions behind the voice. Turning to face the owner, his expression softened slightly upon recognizing Alastor, the Radio Demon, standing there with his sinister grin.

Ben: "Alastor. What do you want?"

Alastor chuckled, his grin widening as he took a step closer.

Alastor: "Oh, nothing much, Dear. Just enjoying the show. I must say, your little pep talk was quite touching"

Ben: "Right. Well, what brings you here? You know I'm not here to entertain you"

Alastor tilted his head, the grin never leaving his face.

Alastor: "Of course not. But it's always delightful to see such... heartfelt moments. Especially in a place like this"

Collin, sensing the tension, stayed close to Ben, his earlier confidence waning in the presence of the Radio Demon.

Ben: "If you've got something to say, Alastor, just say it"

Alastor waved a hand dismissively.

Alastor: "Oh, I was merely admiring your... enthusiasm. It's not every day we see such a display of heroism in Hell"

Ben kept his gaze fixed on Alastor.

Ben: "Yeah, well, get used to it. I'm not going anywhere"

Alastor's eyes gleamed with amusement as he raised an eyebrow.

Alastor: "Woah there, Ben. Where did all this hostility come from? It wasn't like this the first day you dropped here, now, was it?"

Ben crossed his arms, meeting Alastor's gaze with a steely resolve.

Ben: "I've picked a few things since then, Alastor. Got better at reading people, or should I say demons, and yours ain't looking too bright"

Alastor chuckled, his amusement undeterred by Ben's sharp retort.

Alastor: "My, my, Ben, always the astute one, aren't you? But be careful, my dear. The shadows hold more secrets than you can imagine, and sometimes, it's best not to go digging too deep"

With that, Alastor turned and walked away, leaving Ben and Collin to contemplate his cryptic words.

Collin: "What's wrong with that Sinner?"

A clatter of dropping glass bottles interrupted their thoughts. Turning, they saw Husk stumbling around, clearly having had one too many drinks.

Husk: "Don't think about it too much, kid. He's probably just trying to take your soul or something"

Feeling a bit dizzy, Husk slumped back onto his barstool and cracked open another beer, chugging it down.

Ben looked surprised at his words, as if it were just another Tuesday to own another person's soul.

Ben: "Maybe I should take care of h-"

Husk waved him off dismissively before putting down the empty bottle.

Husk: "Nah, don't get tangled up with him. Besides, he's helping Charlie with the hotel"

A frown appeared on Husk's face as he rubbed his temple.

Husk: "As much as it pains me to say it, that's enough reason to keep him around. For now, at least"

Ben glanced at Collin, who seemed even more confused. Ben ruffled Collin's wool hair reassuringly.

Ben: "Guess I'll have to keep an eye out then. But don't worry, I've got your back"

Collin smiled, feeling a bit more at ease with Ben's confidence.

Ben glanced over at Husk, who was drinking yet another drink. With a concerned expression, his words laced with genuine worry.

Ben: "Hey, Husk, shouldn't you ease up on the drinking? I mean, I bet your liver would thank you"

Husk chuckled quietly, a gruff sound that hinted at countless similar conversations.

Husk: "Don't worry about me, kid. Unfortunately, alcohol doesn't kill Sinners"

He took a long swig from his glass, his expression unreadable as he chugged down the drink. Ben watched, a mix of curiosity and resignation in his eyes, as Husk continued his familiar routine.

Ben shrugged off Husk's response.

Ben: "Well, if you're gonna be stuck in the afterlife, might as well enjoy it a bit, right?"

Ben then gestured towards the couch, silently signaling for Collin to join him. Collin obliged, making his way over to the couch. As Collin settled in, Ben patted the seat beside him, inviting Collin to sit beside him.

With a mischievous grin, Ben playfully lifted Collin onto the couch, allowing him to hover in mid-air before gently settling him down next to him. Together, they sat side by side.

Time Skip:

As time passed, Husk had succumbed to the effects of the alcohol, his unconscious form surrounded by a sea of empty bottles. Meanwhile, Ben and Collin found themselves growing increasingly bored on the couch.

Ben pondered the idea of visiting the Imps to see what they were up to, but then he remembered the hostility between the cherubs and the Imps. Bringing Collin along wasn't an option, considering the mutual dislike between the two groups.

Ben then suddenly turned to Collin with a curious expression, eager to learn more about life in heaven.

Ben: "So, what was it like up there? Life in heaven, I mean"

Collin let out a sigh, his expression turning somewhat solemn.

Collin: "Honestly, it was pretty boring. Lots of paperwork, mostly. Just me, stuck behind a desk, day in and day out. Nothing exciting ever happened"

Ben raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by Collin's description of heaven.

Ben: "Really? Well, that sounds pretty boring"

Collin nodded in agreement, a hint of resignation in his expression.

Collin: "Yeah, it was. But that's what you get when you're one of us cherubs. Bottom of the celestial food chain"

Ben's curiosity piqued, prompting him to inquire further.

Ben: "So, what's the hierarchy like up there?"

Collin let out a small cough before continuing.

Collin: "Well, there's us cherubs, then the winners, like the humans who made it to heaven. After them, there are the exorcists, but let's not talk about them for now"

Ben furrowed his brow, puzzled by Collin's sudden hesitation.

Ben: "Why not?"

But Collin quickly pressed on, unwilling to elaborate.

Collin: "Ahem. Anyway, then there's Adam. With all due respect, he's quite the asshole. After him, there are the Seraphims, and finally, there's God"

Ben nodded, his interest piqued by the explanation.

Ben: "Now I get it. That's quite interesting. Heaven doesn't sound as boring as before"

Collin nodded, a small bittersweet smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Collin: "Yeah, it's a pretty intricate place, full of surprises. Definitely not as dull as it seems at first glance"

Ben leaned back, his interest piqued by the newfound knowledge about heaven hierarchy.

Ben: "Well, thanks for sharing, Collin. It's good to know there's more to heaven than just paperwork and boredom"

Ben chuckled, recalling something.

Ben: "You know, casually talking to you like this reminded me of another version of me called Ben 23"

Collin's expression shifted to one of surprise and confusion.

Collin: "Uhh, huh?"

Ben shrugged casually, as if discussing interdimensional travel was as mundane as discussing the weather.

Ben: "Yeah, he's a version of me. That's rich and shit. It's been two years since I met him. He's probably fifteen by now"

He winked playfully before adding with a smirk.

Ben: "Though his naming alien game could use some tweaking. I mean, Teeny Weeny, really? HAH"

Collin's confusion only deepened, his brow furrowing as he struggled to make sense of Ben's cryptic remarks.

Ben sighed, his tone turning more thoughtful.

Ben: "You know, it would be kinda nice to meet him again. Maybe spend some time with him and go have some fun. Lately, all the fun I've been having involves fighting some big bad guy at the end, and that kinda gets stale after a while"

He glanced at Collin, who still looked bewildered by the conversation.

Collin: "Uhh, sure, man... whatever you say"

Ben chuckled, shaking his head at Collin's confusion.

Ben: "Trust me, Collin. There's a whole multiverse out there. I mean, I'm not even from here!"

Collin's face twisted in confusion and bemusement.

Collin: "Wait, what?"

Ben facepalmed, realizing he had forgotten to mention a crucial detail.

Ben: "Oh, shit, I forgot to tell you. Yeah, I'm from a different universe entirely. It's a long story, but basically, there are infinite versions of me out there, each one dealing with their own stuff"

He nodded slowly, still not quite believing what he was hearing.

Collin: "Y-yeah, okay... sure"

Ben chuckled at Collin's reaction, shaking his head.

Ben: "Don't worry, it's not like he would pop out of nowhere. I mean, if he could, I probably wouldn't be stuck here since Azmuth or Dr. Paradox would've come and saved me!"

Ben's eye twitched as he glanced back at Collin, his intensity freaking him out.

Ben: "Right?"

Collin shifted uncomfortably, trying to process everything.

Collin: "Uh, yeah... sure, Ben"

He gave a nervous chuckle, clearly unsettled by Ben's sudden shift in demeanor.

Ben let out a long sigh as he leaned back on the couch.

Ben: "Man, it's been a long day"

Collin watched him, still trying to wrap his head around everything he'd just heard. Ben closed his eyes for a moment, rubbing his temples.

Ben: "Sometimes, I miss the simpler days. Fighting bad guys that you're used to is one thing, but dealing with all this multiverse stuff? It's exhausting"

Collin watched Ben worriedly, not sure what to do, before he resorted to empty reassurance.

Collin: "Don't worry, Ben. I'm sure you'll figure out a way home, wherever that is for you"

Ben opened his eyes and gave a small, appreciative smile.

Ben: "Thanks, Collin. I hope so too. It's just... a lot sometimes, you know?"

Collin nodded, though he couldn't fully grasp the scope of Ben's struggles.

Collin: "Yeah, I can imagine. But you're a hero, right? Heroes always find a way"

Ben suddenly jolted back up, startling Collin, who jumped back a bit. Ben laughed heartily.

Ben: "Of course! I'm a hero! That's why I'm feeling down right now. I should go stop a robbery, save a kitten from a tree, or rescue people from a burning building or something. That'll cheer me up"

Husk, from his seat, glanced over with a raised eyebrow.

Husk: "That kid's lost his mind"

Collin, looking inspired, asked eagerly.

Collin: "Ben, can I go out with you and help? You know, learn from you?"

Ben's face lit up with a grin.

Ben: "You want me to be your mentor? Of course! Who better than the hero of heroes to teach you heroism?"

Collin beamed, excitement evident in his eyes.

Collin: "Awesome! Let's go save the day!"

Ben nodded confidently.

Ben: "Alright, let's show this place what real heroes can do!"

Time Skip:

After searching the city for a while, Ben and Collin finally spotted a burning building. Flames roared, and smoke billowed into the sky. Collin turned to Ben, his eyes wide with panic.

Collin: "What do we do, Ben?"

Ben looked at him, calm and collected.

Ben: "You fly up and help the demons get down safely. I'll take care of the fire"

Collin nodded, spreading his wings and taking off. He began flying demons down from the higher floors, who grudgingly accepted help from a cherub.

Meanwhile, Ben dialed his Omnitrix, intending to transform into Water Hazard.

Slamming the core, he was enveloped in bright green light. As the light died down, he found himself transformed into Clockwork instead.

Clockwork: "Clockwork, really? This is really not the time!"

He muttered to himself. Rolling his eyes, his mechanical face remaining expressionless.

But then, an idea sparked in his mind. He glanced at the burning building, the flames eating at it.

Clockwork: "Or maybe it is"

He signaled to Collin to move out of the way. Collin nodded and flew the last demon to safety, watching Ben curiously.

The key on Clockwork's head started spinning, and suddenly, the entire area took on a green filter as time began to slow and then stopped completely.

Clockwork looked around, seeing everyone and everything frozen in place.

Clockwork: "Alright, let's hope this work"

He then aimed his chest at the building, shooting a time ray. The flames began to retract, the smoke reversed its course back into the windows, and the charred structure restored itself.

Time was rewinding around the building, erasing the fire as if it had never happened.

Clockwork: "Holy shit, it worked!"

Clockwork chuckled to himself, his metallic voice echoing slightly in the stillness of frozen time.

Clockwork: "No shit, his name is Clockwork after all!"

Suddenly, as the time beam was reversing the effects, blue sparks of light ran across it, not enough to be noticed by Clockwork until a crack appeared in the air, making him flinch.

Clockwork: "Talk about bad timing"

Blue sparks flew out of the cracks as they expanded, creating a time ripple. Out of the other side emerged another Clockwork, this one with a bluish tint, also shooting a blue time beam of his own.

Clockwork ???: "Whoa, is that another Windy-Hindy? Talk about good timing!"

Clockwork stared in surprise at his unexpected doppelgänger.

Clockwork: "What the...? Who are you?"

Windy-Hindy: "Name's Windy-Hindy, but what's this?"

The other Clockwork, Windy-Hindy, stopped firing his time beam, stepping closer to the time ripple. He ran his fingers across it, curiosity evident in his blue glowing eyes. As he inadvertently pushed his hand through the ripple, it emerged on the other side, causing our Clockwork to halt his own beam and step back cautiously.

Clockwork: "Careful there, buddy"

But before our Clockwork could say more, Windy-Hindy was suddenly thrown off balance. He tumbled through, landing hard on the ground in a clatter of metal, the time ripple sparking with blue energy before closing behind him.

Windy-Hindy: "Ugh, my metallic butt"

Clockwork stared at him for a moment, the absurdity of the situation sinking in.

Clockwork: "You okay?"

Windy-Hindy groaned, pushing himself up.

Windy-Hindy: "Yeah, yeah. Just wasn't expecting my trip to end with me on my rear"

Clockwork couldn't help but chuckle.

Clockwork: "Well, welcome to my side of the timeline"

Windy-Hindy shook off the disorientation and got to his feet.

Windy-Hindy: "Well, good thing the cameras weren't here, can't have them staining my awesome image, ha!"

Clockwork raised a non-existent eyebrow at him.

Clockwork: "Wait a sec, repeat that"

Windy-Hindy: "Uhh, staining my awesome image?"

Clockwork waved his hands.

Clockwork: "No, no, before that"

Windy-Hindy: "Cameras?"

Clockwork snapped his fingers, something clicking in his head.

Clockwork: "The bad name-"

Windy-Hindy: "Hey!"

Clockwork: "The cameras, the Omnitrix on your chest, I know who you are!"

Suddenly, Windy-Hindy's Omnitrix started beeping blue before enveloping him in blue light. As the light died down, in place of the Chronosapien stood a boy wearing a black waistcoat with blue pockets over his blue shirt, a blue tie, earrings, blue pants, and a medallion in the shape of his Omnitrix. He also had an Omnitrix on his left wrist, a blue bracelet on his right wrist, and a gold ring on the index finger of his right hand.

???: "Oh, my transformation time is over"

Clockwork: "Ben 23!"

Ben 23: "The one and only! Surprised to see me, Ben?"

Clockwork: "More like confused. What are you doing here?"

Ben 23: "I could ask you the same thing. I mean, this wasn't my idea of spending my 15th birthday"

Clockwork: "Oh yeah, it's already been two years since the last time we met"

Ben 23: "Yeah, it sure was, I mean you could've visited or something dude"

Ben 23 looked around, his sly smile never waning.

Ben 23: "Wait, are we like frozen in time or what?"

Clockwork's eyes widened, remembering that he was still freezing time.

Clockwork: "Oh shit, my bad. I was in the middle of stopping this burning building, you see"

Clockwork pointed at the building, making Ben 23 glance at it before crossing his arms.

Ben 23: "Really? Windy-Hindy to stop a burning building? I could've put it out in a matter of seconds with Hose Hands. Yet they still call you Prime Ben. Can you believe that?"

Ben 23 chuckled before quickly taking out his phone and snapping a picture.

Clockwork rolled his eyes, and the key on his head stopped spinning, making time slowly begin to move before returning completely to normal.

Ben 23: "Thanks for the birthday snapshot, Prime. The fans are gonna go crazy with this legendary collab!"

Clockwork: "Yeah, yeah. Just keep close by, I can't have you getting lost in Hell"

Ben 23: "HELL!?"

Ben 23 frantically looked around, noticing demons of all shapes and sizes going about their afterlife, mostly killing and butchering each other on the streets. One of them glared at Ben 23 as he walked by, making him flinch.

Ben 23: "What the flip! How did you even end up here?"

Clockwork slammed the watch, detransforming back in a burst of green light.

Ben: "Got into a fight with Vilgax, yada yada, and ended up accidentally transported to this universe. Been trying to find a way out ever since"

Ben 23 listened intently, his arms crossed.

Ben 23: "So this isn't your world either. But why haven't you tried harder to get the heck out of here?"

Ben: "You think I haven't tried?"

Ben 23: "It's obvious you should've tried harder. I mean, why didn't you even use Star Boy to escape?"

Ben: "Star Boy?"

Ben 23: "Duh, the blue guy who can do anything and has those two annoying blue faces that you have to convince to lift a finger. If only they could give me control"

Ben: "You don't have full control over him yet? And he's called Alien X, and he's black with green faces"

Ben 23: "Alien X, huh? What does the 'X' stand for? Is it the Greek number for ten? Is it-"

Ben hushed him with a finger to his lips and a nervous smile.

Ben: "Don't think about it too much, other me"

Ben 23 shrugged.

Ben 23: "Whatever you say, dude"

As the two Bens were engrossed in their conversation, Collin descended to the ground, a perplexed expression on his face.

Collin: "Wait, w-wasn't the building just burning? It's l-like time rewound or something"

Collin dismissed the strange occurrence as another quirk of Ben's powers before flying back to where he had been moments ago.

As he approached, he realized Ben was now face to face with another human, someone who bore an uncanny resemblance to him but with slight differences in height, clothing, and eye color.

Collin: "Ben?"

At the sound of Collin's voice, both Ben and this new  individual turned to him simultaneously, sending a shiver down Collin's spine as he noticed the striking resemblance between this new human and Ben.

Ben 23: "Woah, who's this guy?"

Ben: "Oh, that's Collin, A-"

Before Ben could explain, Ben 23 had already thrown an arm around Collin's shoulder and started snapping pictures, making Collin visibly uncomfortable.

Ben: "Cherub...."

Ben 23: "A Cherub? That's flipping awesome, man!"

Collin squirmed uncomfortably in Ben 23's grip as he continued to take selfies with him.

Ben 23: "Check it out, guys! I'm in the presence of a rare sight, a Cherub! You think I could get a Cherub transformation? Follow me on my channel to never miss it!"

Ben sighed, shaking his head while Collin awkwardly tried to smile for the camera, clearly overwhelmed by the sudden attention from Ben 23.

Collin: "Uhh, Ben, is this your little brother?"

Ben sighed, looking at Collin, unsure how to explain it.

Ben: "Remember Ben 23 that I told you about-"

Before he could finish, Ben 23 was already inspecting Collin's wings.

Ben 23: "You guys were talking about me?"

He grinned cockily.

Ben 23: "I mean, it's only natural when you're as famous as me. OH, hopefully, you told him to subscribe to my YouTube channel. You guys have YouTube up there?!"

Ben 23 smiled inches away from Collin's face, who chuckled nervously before backing away.

Collin: "Uh, no, we don't have YouTube in Heaven"

Ben: "Ben 23, ease up a bit. Collin's not used to... all this"

Ben 23: "Right, right, my bad. Just excited to meet an actual Cherub, like Azmuth is gonna go nuts when he sees this!"

Collin nodded, still looking a bit overwhelmed.

Ben: "Anyway, Collin, this is Ben 23. He's another version of me from a different universe, the one I told you about, and you didn't believe"

Collin glanced at Ben, then at Ben 23, then back at Ben, and then back at Ben 23, who waved with a smug grin.

Collin: "Shit, you were not lying. There are other versions of you"

He blinked a few times, still trying to process what he was seeing.

Ben: "Told you. Multiverse, remember?"

Ben 23: "Yeah, pretty cool, right? There's a whole bunch of us out there, evil ones even!"

Collin shook his head, still in disbelief.

Collin: "I... I didn't actually think there'd be another you. This is... wow"

Ben 23: "Believe it, pal. You're looking at the real deal!"

Collin: "This is insane"

Ben: "Yeah, there's a million of us just like me, who cuss like me, who can transform like me, who dress like me, walk, talk, and act like me, and just might be the next best thing but not quite me!"

Ben 23 grinned and gave a thumbs-up.

Ben 23: "Couldn't have said it better myself!"

Collin shook his head, still amazed by the whole situation.

Collin: "But how did he-"

Ben 23: "The name is Ben Tennyson"

Collin scratched his head, not sure how to differentiate when he was talking to who before Ben got to his rescue.

Ben: "You can call him Ben 23, since he's not Ben Prime"

Ben 23 rolled his eyes.

Ben 23: "Well for your knowledge, Prime, I am the original! In my universe at least, so don't go with all this 'I'm the Prime version' blah blah baloney"

Ben chuckled.

Ben: "Alright, alright. You're the original in your universe. Happy now?"

Ben 23 smirked.

Ben 23: "Much better. Now, Collin, how about a selfie with the two coolest Bens in the multiverse?"

Ben 23 struck a heroic pose, trying to look as cool as he could. Collin looked confused at him before glancing at Ben, who simply shrugged.

Collin: "I'm fine, but seriously, how did Ben...Ben 23 get here?"

Ben 23 grinned.

Ben 23: "Oh, that's a story! You see, I was just fighting this baddy using Windy-Hindy when green sparkles started appearing before a crack in the air appeared. Green energy was escaping from it, and on the other side, I saw another Windy-Hindy! Turned out it was Prime Ben! Blah blah, I fell inside, and now I'm here. But no problem, more places to spread my awesomeness, right?"

Collin shook his head, clearly still baffled by the situation.

Collin: "I just find it hard to believe. Do you realize how much power you'd need to break the fabric of the universe and sync two together to even be able to cross between them? I can't believe a human was able to do that. What kind of god-like power can you possibly possess?"

Ben chuckled, scratching the back of his head.

Ben: "Yeah, well, it's not like I did it on purpose. It just kind of... happened"

Ben 23, still grinning, chimed in.

Ben 23: "Yeah, and besides, we're not just any humans. We're Bens! We've got the hero watches, the most powerful device in the universe!"

Collin sighed, clearly exasperated.

Collin: "Sure, but even with the Omnitrix, this is on a whole different level. It's like something out of a science fiction movie. The amount of energy required to tear through the dimensional barrier... It's just hard to wrap my head around"

Ben 23 shrugged.

Ben 23: "Hey, maybe we're just that awesome"

Collin rolled his eyes again.

Collin: "Or maybe you're just really, really lucky"

Ben nodded with a snicker.

Ben: "Well, whatever, he's here now, so we should probably head back to the hotel and try to figure a way for you to get back-"

Ben 23 faked a yawn, pacing back and forth with his hands behind his head in a nonchalant manner.

Ben 23: "Dude, you worry too much. I mean, I'm in hell yet alive! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I wanna check out every nook and cranny of it"

Ben scratched his head, while Collin looked surprised at Ben 23's different personality. He was used to Ben wanting to leave; seeing another Ben wanting to stay felt...wrong.

Ben: "You sure? I mean, wouldn't your fa-"

Ben stopped, trying to find someone who would worry about him.

Ben: "Fans...worry about your absence?"

Ben 23 waved dismissively.

Ben 23: "You mean excited when I get back to them with a new crossover episode of me in hell?"

Ben: "Wait, weren't you scared a minute ago about being in hell?"

Ben 23 rubbed the bridge of his nose cockily.

Ben 23: "Scared? Me? In the same sentence? You must've been thinking about a different person 'cause there is no scared Tennyson in here!"

Ben 23 then quickly got up in Ben's face, his eyes wide with excitement.

Ben 23: "I mean, just think about all the views! The views, man! That alone would make me more famous than I was before, and I'm pretty famous already!!"

Ben 23 then quickly got up in Ben's face, his eyes wide with excitement.

Ben: "I guess you do have a point. But still, this place is dangerous. You can't just wander around like it's a theme park"

Collin raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by Ben 23's perspective.

Collin: "A crossover episode? Are you serious?"

Ben chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief.

Ben: "Well, you gotta admire his enthusiasm"

Collin chuckled softly, still trying to process the situation.

Collin: "Yeah, enthusiasm is one word for it"

Ben 23 flashed a grin, clearly pleased with himself.

Ben 23: "Hey, you gotta make the best of every situation, am I right?"

Ben sighed, shaking his head with a smile.

Ben: "Yeah, I guess you are. Let's go back to the hotel; I'm pretty sure the others will be intrigued to see you"

Ben 23: "Alright, lead the way"

Both Bens dialed their Omnitrixes, stopping at the alien silhouettes before slamming the cores. They were enveloped in green and blue bright lights respectively. As the light died down, they transformed into...

FasTrack: "FasTrack!"

SpeedyQuick: "SpeedyQuick!"

They looked at each other and grinned, both feeling thrilled.

FasTrack: "Alright, let's race. First one back to the hotel wins!"

SpeedyQuick: "You're on!"

With a burst of speed, they took off, leaving Collin behind, who sighed and muttered to himself.

Collin: "Just when I thought I had seen it all..."

As they raced through Hell, dodging obstacles and causing demons to jump out of their way, FasTrack couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration.
SpeedyQuick kept up effortlessly, clearly enjoying the thrill of the race as well.

Eventually, they reached the hotel, skidding to a stop in front of the entrance. They detransformed simultaneously, panting slightly but grinning from ear to ear.

Ben: "Not bad, other me. Not bad at all"

Ben 23: "You too. I guess being awesome runs in the family"

Ben laughed.

Ben: "Alright, let's head inside now"

Ben 23 stopped, holding up a finger.

Ben 23: "Wait a sec, let me just save this video"

Ben looked puzzled.

Ben: "Wait, you've been filming us racing?"

Ben 23 smirked smugly.

Ben 23: "Yeah, that's something the fans can't miss"

Ben sighed, shaking his head.

Ben: "You and your fans..."

Ben 23 shrugged, still grinning.

Ben 23: "Hey, you gotta give the people what they want, right?"

Ben chuckled, shaking his head.

Ben: "Yeah, unlike you, I never considered recording my fights. I get caught up in the moment most of the time, but man, you would have enjoyed my fights with the Sins and that moment with Striker if you were present. And getting away from that corrupt government, too.

Ben 23's eyes widened in shock as his jaw fell open.

Ben 23: "Dude! I would not have kept quiet about doing all that if I were in your place! I mean, the government part sounds intense, but who are Striker and the Sins?"

Ben grinned, enjoying his other self's reaction.

Ben: "Striker is a ruthless demon hitman. The Sins are a group of deadly rulers. They were tough fights, but I got through them"

Ben 23's eyes gleamed with excitement.

Ben 23: "Man, that sounds epic! We need to get you a camera, stat. The fans would lose their minds over this stuff"

Ben: "I guess, but it never was about fame or glory. It's about doing what's right. That's what being a hero is all about, remember?"

Ben 23's expression softened, and he nodded thoughtfully.

Ben 23: "Yeah, yeah, I have kind of learnt my lesson since our visit to Benwood; I am only worthy of wearing my hero watch when I improve the lives of others"

Ben smiled, appreciating the growth in his alternate self.

Ben: "Good, now let's get inside"

Entering through the door and heading inside, they were met with Husk, still in the same position they had left him earlier. At the sound of the door opening, he glanced back, tilting his head in confusion as he saw two Tennysons staring back at him.

Husk: "Huh?"

He quickly glanced at his drink, squinting his eyes as he tried to figure out what he had just consumed.

Husk: "I'm seeing double... or did I drink too much?"

Ben 23 looked surprised at the sight of a humanoid cat that could talk. He sneakily took a photo with his phone.

Ben 23: "Psst, who's that cat in the hat look-alike?"

Ben chuckled at the comparison.

Ben: "Oh, that's Husk. He's a sinner that, uh, got a bit of a drinking problem"

Husk snorted, clearly hearing them.

Husk: "A bit? Kid, you two don't know the half of it"

Ben 23 raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

Ben 23: "Well, it's still cool. I mean, a talking demon cat? That’s something you don’t see every day. Better than fighting aliens every day"

Ben: "Right, that's how I reacted the first time I got here, although you're taking it a bit better than me"

Ben 23 pointed at himself with a smile.

Ben 23: "I'm just built different, Ben"

Ben chuckled and shook his head.

Ben: "Yeah, I guess you are"

As they continued into the hotel, Husk gave them a bemused look before returning to his drink.

Husk: "That kid always brings something new to the table"

Heading upstairs towards Ben's room, they were met by Keenie in the hallway.

Ben 23 smirked upon laying eyes on her, grabbing his phone ready to snatch a pic.

Ben 23: "Hold on a sec, gotta capture this for the fans"

Looking through his phone camera, he noticed her summoning a bow. Before he could react, she shot an arrow at him. Ben 23's eyes widened, quickly taking a picture before ducking down to avoid being hit.

Ben let out a snarky comment as Keenie angrily stepped towards them.

Ben: "Smooth move, 23. She's not exactly a fan of paparazzi"

Keenie: "What's your deal, taking pictures without permission? You trying to get yourself killed- wait, what?"

She crossed her arms, confusion evident on her face as she glanced between Ben and Ben 23.

Keenie: "Who's this human, Ben?"

Ben 23: "I'm Ben-"

Keenie growled at him.

Keenie: "I wasn't talking to you, faker"

Ben 23 frowned at her remark, taking offense at being called fake.

Ben 23: "I am not at anyway fake! Stupid flying sheep creature!"

Keenie's eyes narrowed at Ben 23's retort, clearly not amused by his attitude.

Keenie: "Watch it, jackass. I may be a flying sheep, but at least I'm not an arrogant copycat"

Ben 23: "Arrogant? Alright Cherub, you asked for it"

Ben 23 swiftly activated his phone's camera app and began recording. He handed the phone to Ben.

Ben 23: "Make sure you record this when I kick her butt!"

Keenie: "Wait, what are you-"

Before Ben could intervene, Ben 23 dialed his hero watch, then slammed the core, enveloping himself in bright blue light. Keenie shielded her eyes, and Ben turned away as he transformed into...

Mirror-image: "Mirror-image!"

Ben turned to see Ben 23's new form.

Ben: "Mirror-image? Really?"

Mirror-image frowned furiously.

Mirror-image: "For your information, I used to call him Copy Copy 2, so I think this is an upgrade"

Ben sighed.

Ben: "Of course you would call Ditto, Copy Copy 2"

Mirror-image: "Hey, it's catchy! And it's not like you're any better with your 'Ditto' name"

Ben shrugged.

Ben: "Let's agree to disagree"

Meanwhile, Keenie looked flabbergasted as the Ben look-alike used a device similar to Ben's to transform into an alien.

Keenie: "What the fuck?"

Mirror-image's gaze returned to the 'baddie' as he frowned with a smirk.

Mirror-image: "Oh yeah, you'll see who's the faker now"

Mirror-image ran towards her before jumping in the air. Keenie looked up as Mirror-image duplicated himself a bunch of times before all of them fell on Keenie, burying her under the copies of Mirror-image.

Mirror-image: "Yeah boys, show her what we got!"

A voice escaped from the pile of Mirror-images who squirmed around, trying to overwhelm her.

Ben frantically gestured to Mirror-image to stop.

Ben: "Dude! You're going to kill her! Stop!"

One of the Mirror-images got up from the pile, sliding off towards Ben before pointing aggressively at Keenie.

Mirror-image: "Not until she takes it back! I'm neither a copycat, faker, nor arrogant!"

Ben: "What are you, four?! Just quit it already!"

Mirror-image crossed his arms defiantly.

Mirror-image: "I never back down on my resolve"

Ben facepalmed, muttering under his breath.

Ben: "Yeah, learned your lesson, my ass"

Holding Ben 23's phone up, still recording, Ben's expression turned serious.

Ben: "If you don't stop, I'll delete all the images and videos you've taken here in hell"

All the Mirror-images gasped in unison.

The Mirror-image closest to Ben glared at him.

Mirror-image: "You wouldn't dare"

Ben: "Try me"

Mirror-image hesitated, clearly torn. Finally, with a heavy sigh, he signaled the other copies to back off.

Mirror-image: "Fine, you win. But this isn't over"

After all the copies merged together, Mirror-image slammed the watch on his forehead, reverting back to his human form. He strutted over to Ben, arms crossed with a smug expression.

Keenie struggled to her feet, gasping for air and wheezing.

Keenie: "What...what the hell was that?! How did he transform? I thought you were the only human with an Omnitrix!"

She blurred slightly before flapping her wings, hovering just above the ground, her confusion evident.

Ben: "Hey, calm down, Keenie. This is... another version of me. From a different dimension"

Keenie's eyes widened in disbelief.

Keenie: "Another version? How is that even possible?"

Ben: "Long story. But let's just say, he's like me but with a little more... attitude"

Ben 23 grinned, flashing Keenie a cocky smirk.

Ben 23: "And style, don't forget style"

Keenie rolled her eyes, unimpressed.

Keenie: "Yup, that's definitely Ben, but I'll be the judge of that"

She hovered closer to them, getting right in Ben 23's face, just inches away. She scrutinized his features, confirming he was an almost perfect copy. Ben 23 stuck his tongue out playfully at her.

Ben 23: "Looking for something, dweeb? A signed photo maybe!"

Keenie winced and retreated. She then turned her attention to Ben, hovering closer to his face and observing him closely, making him blush and back away.

Ben: "Hey- wh-what gives?"

Keenie crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing as she compared them.

Keenie: "Hmm, my observation confirms that yes, he's Ben, somehow. I guess from a different reality like you said, but more childish. And one of them is more handsome than the other"

Ben 23 arrogantly stepped forward, his brows drawn together with a plastered smile on his face.

Ben 23: "Sorry, Benny, but it's obvious which one of us she's talking about. I'm just surprised it took her this long to see it"

Ben rolled his eyes, trying to hide his annoyance.

Ben 23 then took a photo of himself out of his pocket, a marker from the other, and signed the photo before giving it to her. Keenie grabbed it and gave it a once-over.

Ben 23: "That's on me, miss. Just tell me next time if you want a photo or a signature. Just know, I'm a busy celebrity, so don't take it personally if I don't answer"

Keenie's face twisted with anger, giving him a nasty scowl. Ben 23 rolled his eyes, taking a step back and looking annoyed, then glancing at Ben.

Ben 23: "See? Not a second later and she's already taking it personally. Tch tch tch, I will never understand fans like her"

Ben sighed, clearly exasperated.

Ben: "You really know how to make friends, don't you?"

Keenie aggressively twisted the photo, crumpling it into a ball before violently throwing it at Ben 23's head, making it bounce off and onto the ground.

Ben 23: "Hey! People would kill for a photo from the man himself, you ungrateful butt face!"

Keenie: "I don't give a flying fuck about your stupid photo, and I certainly wouldn't kill for anything from you, especially not a selfie with a pompous, arrogant brat like you!"

Keenie rolled her eyes, hovering above them.

Keenie: "You're a disgrace to everything my Ben stands for. Thankfully, my experiences with Tennysons weren't tainted by some asshole like you"

Keenie huffed in irritation before flying off to her room. Ben and Ben 23 exchanged glances before Ben 23 asked.

Ben 23: "You stopped filming, right?"

Ben frowned.

Ben: "Yeah, but really, is that all you think about?"

Ben 23: "I mean, can't have the fans peek into this, minor, eh, drama"

Ben 23, beaming, grabbed his phone from Ben's hand. He then returned his gaze to the crumpled and turned-to-ball photo, a pained expression on his face as he kneeled down.

Ben 23: "I just can't wrap my mind around how can someone possibly do such a sinful act like this? This Keenie must be jealous of how amazing I am"

Ben sighed, feeling a pang of frustration.

Ben: "Or maybe... she's upset because you were being a jerk to her"

He couldn't help but point out the obvious, even if it meant raining on Ben 23's parade.

Ben 23's expression shifted, his confident demeanor faltering slightly.

Ben 23: "Hey, I was just being myself! I can't help it if she couldn't handle my awesomeness"

He justified his actions with a hint of defensiveness.

Ben facepalmed, a sense of déjà vu washing over him.

Ben: "Now you're reminding me of how I acted when I was 16 with the Ultimatrix"

Ben couldn't believe he was dealing with a version of himself from another universe who seemed to be a carbon copy of his own teenage self.

Ben: "Look, let's head down instead. We'll probably find the rest there anyway"

Ben 23's mood lightened, a bright smile appearing on his face as he looked back at the staircase.

Ben 23: "Okay, let's-"

Before Ben could finish his sentence, Ben 23 dashed to the staircase.

Ben 23: "The last person there is a rotten egg!"

Ben gazed grumpily as Ben 23 jumped onto the railing, sliding down with reckless abandon. He shook his head at how he's not taking anything seriously.

Ben: "Some things never change"

He followed Ben 23 more cautiously, making his way down the stairs to join the rest of the group.

Nearing the end of the staircase, Ben 23's eyes narrowed. He jumped into the air, quickly taking his phone out, snapping a selfie while doing a peace sign before landing skillfully on his feet.

Ben 23: "Still got it!"

Suddenly, he heard clapping from behind him. Startled, he hid his phone in his pocket and looked up to find Vaggie smirking at him.

Vaggie: "Quite reckless Ben, but cool. I didn't think you were fun like that"

Ben 23 grinned, rubbing the back of his neck.

Ben 23: "Thank you, random fan girl. Being amazing just comes naturally to me"

Vaggie raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips.

Vaggie: "Oh, really? Amazing, huh?"

Vaggie eyed him up and down, her gaze lighting up as she noticed the different clothes and hairstyle.

Vaggie: "Finally ditched that old t-shirt, huh?"

A blush appeared on her cheeks as she crept closer, stopping right in front of him. She leaned in and whispered in his ear.

Vaggie: "Makes you look more classy"

Ben 23's grin grew wider, feeding his ego, as he gave her a confident smile.

Ben 23: "Well, gotta wear the latest flashy trend. Famous people stuff, you wouldn't understand"

Vaggie raised an eyebrow, smirking.

Vaggie: "Oh, is that so? Alright, it does suit you well. Just don't let it go to your head"

Ben 23 leaned in closer, his tone playful as he threw Vaggie a flirtatious line.

Ben 23: "Oh, come on. Don't act like you're not impressed. I can see it in your eyes- eh...eye"

Vaggie blinked, taken aback by Ben's unexpected flirtation. She wasn't used to Ben openly flirting with her, and it caught her off guard.

Vaggie looked at Ben 23 with a mix of confusion and disbelief.

Vaggie: "Um, are you feeling okay, Ben? You're acting... different"

Ben 23 smirked, raising a hand to stop her, and then slicked his hair back arrogantly, letting it gracefully fall back into place. His eyes flickered with overconfidence as he responded.

Ben 23: "Don't try to change the subject. I know you're head over heels for me. My time under the light prepared me for obsessed fans like you!"

Vaggie lifted an eyebrow, skeptical of Ben 23's claims.

Vaggie: "Obsessed?"

Ben 23 grinned arrogantly.

Ben 23: "I mean, who wouldn't be obsessed with Ben Tennyson? The most famous person in his universe! Everyone wants a piece of me!"

Vaggie's expression turned from confusion to annoyance as Ben 23 put a hand over her shoulder, his toothy grin irritating her even more.

Ben 23: "I'll let you have a selfie with The Ben Tennyson out of the goodness of my heart, because I don't want to disappoint my fans, especially one as pretty as you"

She shrugged off his hand, fixing him with a pointed stare.

Vaggie: "Thanks, but no thanks. What's gotten into you? You're usually cocky, but not to this extent"

She turned away from him, folding her arms across her chest, clearly unimpressed with Ben 23's arrogant attitude.

Ben 23 chuckled, brushing off Vaggie's comment with a dismissive wave of his hand.

Ben 23: "Of course, give fans an inch and they will take a mile"

Vaggie rolled her eyes, her forehead furrowing, before raising an eyebrow.

Vaggie: "Wait a second, am I imagining things, or are you actually shorter than usual? Is this some kind of side effect from transforming? The one you talked about back in that other universe?"

Ben 23's brows snapped together in confusion.

Ben 23: "Hey! I'm a short king, no need for petty insults"

Vaggie: "Uh, hello, you said it yourself, Ben"

Ben 23 chuckled dismissively.

Ben 23: "No, I didn't, silly demon. Must've been rumors from the haters. You better not get your news from untrusted places"

Vaggie scratched her head, flabbergasted.

Vaggie: "Rumors? Haters? What the hell are you talking about?"

Vaggie narrowed her eyes, suspicion dawning on her face. She took a step back and, in a swift motion, summoned her spear, pointing it directly at Ben 23's throat.

Vaggie: "Alright, enough games. Who the fuck are you, really?"

Ben 23 raised his hands, eyes widening in surprise.

Ben 23: "Whoa, whoa! Easy there, lady! It's me, Ben Tennyson. Just a slightly more awesome version, that's all"

Vaggie: "I don't buy it. Ben might be cocky, but he's not this much of a jerk. Now, start talking before I decide to test just how human you really are"

Ben hurried downstairs, hearing the commotion. He saw Vaggie holding a spear to his other self throat.

Ben: "Can't stay a second without causing troubles I see"

Without wasting a second, he activated the Omnitrix and transformed into Bloxx, his body shifting into vibrant, multicolored blocks.

He swiftly expanded his arm, stretching it out to envelop Vaggie's arm holding the spear, stopping her from making any sudden moves.

Bloxx: "Vaggie, wait! Calm down!"

Vaggie struggled against the grip, glaring at Bloxx.

Vaggie: "What the hell is going on, Ben? Who is this?"

Bloxx: "It's... complicated. This is Ben 23, an alternate version of me from another universe. He's not here to cause trouble, I promise"

Vaggie glanced between Bloxx and Ben 23, who winked at her smugly. her grip on the spear loosening slightly.

Vaggie: "Another universe? And you're sure he's not dangerous?"

Ben 23 smirked.

Ben 23: "Dangerous? Me? Nah, I'm just here to enjoy the sights and maybe get a few selfies"

Bloxx: "He's a bit more arrogant than I am, but he's not a threat. Let's just all take a step back and talk this through"

Vaggie hesitated for a moment before finally lowering her spear, though she kept a wary eye on Ben 23.

Vaggie: "Fine. But I'm watching you, 'Ben 23'. One wrong move, and you'll regret it"

Ben 23: "Noted. I'll be on my best behavior, promise"

Bloxx retracted his arm, transforming back into his human form. He sighed in relief, hoping that would be the end of the tension.

Ben: "Thanks, Vaggie. You seem to be taking a literal other version of me quite well"

Vaggie rubbed her temple, still annoyed from the encounter with Ben 23.

Vaggie: "Well, after being literally sent to another universe, things like this become, a little, mundane"

At the mention of being sent to another universe, Ben 23's eyes sparkled. He quickly got to Vaggie's side, making her flinch, before grabbing his phone and starting to film.

Ben 23: "Demon girl-"

Vaggie: "It's Vaggie, actually"

Ben 23 rolled his eyes.

Ben 23: "Yeah, whatever. Can you talk a bit about your adventure with other Ben? I need to get this recorded"

Vaggie sweated uncomfortably as Ben 23 fixated the camera on her face, clearly pissed at the smug expression Ben 23 wore from behind the phone. Her anger boiled, and she clenched her fist, ready to punch him despite his resemblance to Ben.

Sensing the tension, Ben quickly grabbed Ben 23's phone, backing away from Vaggie.

Ben 23: "Hey, my phone!"

Ben: "Hey, why don't we leave Vaggie alone here, and I'll tell you everything you need to know. Deal?"

Ben 23 eyed his phone in Ben's hand and then looked back at Vaggie, who still seemed ready to punch him.

Ben 23: "Deal"

Ben handed the phone back to Ben 23, who pocketed it, and the two Bens walked away, leaving Vaggie to cool down.

Ben: "Alright, let's go to the couch. I've got a lot to fill you in on"

Ben 23: "Fine by me. Just make sure to cover the juicy parts"

As they walked off, Vaggie took a deep breath, grateful for the reprieve from Ben 23's overbearing presence. She could still feel her anger simmering but knew that Ben had her back, even if his counterpart was a bit much to handle.

Time Skip:

After Ben filled Ben 23 in on his adventure in the Splatoon universe, Ben 23 made sure he got everything on film before pocketing his phone. He turned around to admire the footage, a look of excitement on his face.

Ben 23: "Damn dude, that sounds amazing! Fighting agents that later became your allies! Literally peak fiction right there. And the final showdown with you going between universes was just, absolute cinema"

Ben leaned back on the couch, his cocky side making an appearance.

Ben: "Yeah, yeah, that's just an average Tuesday for the hero of heroes. No biggie. I've fought harder battles and still came out on top"

Ben 23 laughed, shaking his head in disbelief.

Ben 23: "Man, I wish I could've seen that in person. But hey, now that I'm here, maybe I'll get my own epic adventure"

Ben smirked, nodding.

Ben: "Oh, I'm sure you will. Just stick around long enough and you'll see. Hell has a way of keeping things interesting"

Ben 23: "Can't wait. I can just imagine the look on my fans' faces when their hero gets back with his tale of how he was thrown into the depths of hell, only to escape unscathed!"

Ben chuckled softly, finding amusement in Ben 23's exaggerated account of his visit to hell. He couldn't help but shake his head at his counterpart's bravado.

As the two Bens conversed, Ben 23 caught sight of Charlie and Angel Dust engaged in conversation nearby. With a mischievous grin, he quickly snapped a photo before turning back to Ben.

Ben 23: "So, who's the hottie?"

Ben: "Hey, watch it. That's Charlie, she's the owner of this place"

Ben 23: "She's a baddie though... So, how long have you been stuck here?"

Ben: "Uh, not sure, maybe about a month and some weeks now, why?"

Ben 23 raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Ben 23: "Really? And you haven't hit yet?"

Ben felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment.

Ben: "Aren't you a bit too young to be talking about shit like that?"

Ben 23 chuckled, leaning back on the couch playfully.

Ben 23: "Just saying, man. You've got the Tennyson charm. Better use it"

Ben shifted uncomfortably at Ben 23's teasing, his cheeks still flushing slightly.

Ben: "Yeah, well, it's not like that. Charlie's... different. She's more focused on her project than anything else"

Ben 23 raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Ben 23: "Oh, come on, Ben. Where's the fun in that? You're telling me you haven't even tried?"

Ben sighed, realizing he was about to have a conversation he'd rather avoid.

Ben: "Look, it's complicated. She's got a lot on her plate, and I'm just a temporary resident until I find a way the fuck out"

Ben 23 shrugged, his grin never faltering.

Ben 23: "Suit yourself. But don't say I didn't warn you about missing out while you're still here"

Ben crossed his arms defiantly.

Ben: "Yeah, the only thing I'm missing right now is some Mr. Smoothy"

As the two Tennysons exchanged banter, a figure observed the scene from the shadows with intense interest, a twisted grin spreading across his face. His eyes gleamed with malice as he watched the two Tennysons interact. With each word exchanged between the Bens, his amusement only grew.

As Alastor stepped closer to the duo, Ben's expression hardened upon laying his eyes upon him. Meanwhile, Ben 23 looked in amazement at the new, 'cool' looking, smiling demon.

He quickly whipped out his phone to snap a photo, but as he attempted to capture the moment, his phone glitched. The camera displayed an eerie image of Alastor, with glitching distortions that made it unusable. Ben 23 gazed in confusion at his malfunctioning phone, only to see Alastor's neck slowly snap towards it in a horrifying manner, his eyes glowing with an eerie crimson light.

With a chuckle, Alastor placed a hand on the glitching phone, lowering it slowly as he loomed over the two Bens.

Alastor: "Apologies, my dear. I simply find those tiny magic boxes you call smartphones rather distasteful"

Ben 23 nodded frantically, clumsily attempting to put his phone back in his pocket. After fumbling once, he finally succeeded.

Alastor observed Ben 23's reaction with amusement, while Ben appeared irritated.

Ben: "So, do you have something to say, or are you just here to be a prick?"

Alastor's grin widened at Ben's irritation, but beneath the facade, he felt a surge of anger rising within him. His eye twitched with the effort of keeping his emotions in check, teetering on the brink of unleashing his full demonic form.

However, he knew better than to provoke Ben further. He was well aware of Ben's capabilities, which forced him to suppress his anger and maintain his composure, for now at least.

Alastor: "Oh, I always have something to say, my dear boy. But it seems I've stumbled upon quite the interesting gathering here"

He glanced between the two Bens, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

Alastor: "Two Tennysons in one place, what a delightful surprise. I couldn't resist coming to see what all the fuss was about"

Ben 23's eyes widened with excitement, while Ben remained skeptical, his arms crossed tightly over his chest.

Ben 23's eyes lit up with excitement and he smirked arrogantly.

Ben 23: "Ah, a fan"

Alastor raised an eyebrow in surprise, his grin momentarily faltering as Ben 23 approached and casually placed a hand on his shoulder, needing to stand on his toes due to Alastor's height. Alastor was taken aback; no other human nor demon had ever come close to touching him without meeting a grisly end. Ben 23, oblivious to the dangerous ground he was treading, pulled a signed picture from his pocket and handed it to Alastor.

Ben 23: "I gotcha, bro. No need for all this mysterious persona, 'Ooh, I'm gonna take your soul.' You could just ask"

Alastor stared at the picture, his expression a mixture of amusement and disbelief. Meanwhile, Ben stood there with his jaw hanging open, unable to believe what he was witnessing.

Ben: "You... you do realize who you're talking to, right?"

Ben 23 waved dismissively, still wearing his trademark grin.

Ben 23: "Yeah, yeah, just another fan. Let's move on. So, is there anyone more I should meet?"

Ben, still surprised, answered.

Ben: "N-no, that's all"

Ben 23 sighed.

Ben 23: "Jeez, what a bummer"

Suddenly, an idea popped into his head.

Ben 23: "Why don't we go explore more of Hell! I wanna meet more demons and tell them about how awesome I am!"

Before Ben could stop him, Ben 23 already dashed to the door. Ben glanced back at Alastor, who was still examining the picture, before following Ben 23.

Alastor, still holding the picture, muttered to himself.

Alastor: "What the fuck just happened?"

Time Skip:

Walking across the streets of Hell, Ben 23 wore a wide grin, his hands resting behind his head, looking around the place in amazement. Ben walked normally by his side, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity.

Ben 23: "Man, this place is wild! Can you believe we're actually in Hell? I mean, look at all this!"

Ben glanced around, still wary of their surroundings.

Ben: "Yeah, it's something, alright. Just... try to be careful, okay? This isn't exactly a tourist spot"

Ben 23 laughed, unfazed by Ben's warning.

Ben 23: "Relax, other me! We're Tennysons! We can handle anything Hell throws at us. Besides, I can't wait to meet more demons and show them how awesome I am!"

Ben sighed, shaking his head as they continued down the street, drawing curious and wary glances from the demonic inhabitants around them.

Ben 23 gave the curious demons a wide smirk, adding finger guns and occasional waves.

Ben 23: "I just got here and I'm famous already! They look like they're about to jump on me, ha!"

Ben, growing more concerned, muttered under his breath.

Ben: "Or maybe they're just deciding the best way to eat you alive"

Ben 23 laughed, not catching the serious tone in Ben's voice.

Ben 23: "A little optimism doesn't hurt, you know? And what's wrong with being a bit flashy?"

Ben could only roll his eyes.

Ben: "Nothing, it's just hell isn't the best place to build a fanbase"

Ben 23 frowned at Ben, not seeing any danger in what he was doing.

Ben 23: "When you're as powerful and handsome as me, it's only natural for people to make you a fanbase. It ain't my problem that I'm just too good, borderline untouchable!"

Ben sighed, shaking his head.

Ben: "Yeah, well, let's just hope your 'fans' don't decide to test that theory"

Ben's rolling eyes stopped in their tracks as he spotted a familiar figure on the opposite sidewalk.

Ben: "Wait a second, isn't that Cherri?"

Ben 23 scratched his head in confusion.

Ben 23: "Cherri who now?"

Ben motioned for him to follow, and Ben 23 shrugged before trailing behind, taking selfies as he went.

The figure turned out to be Cherri Bomb, looking bruised as if she had just come out of a turf war. She was choking a sinner who was similarly bruised, a crazed grin on her face as she peered into his eyes.

Cherri: "I won this turf fair and square, mate. Better go scramble to your boss and tell him to fuck off"

The demon nodded frantically before Cherri released him. He ran away, but Cherri watched him with a smile, a hidden bomb strapped to his chest. The two Bens watched from afar as the demon, thinking he was at a safe distance, exploded into a bloody mess, his organs flying everywhere.

Ben 23's eyes widened in shock and excitement, his phone held high as he filmed the gory show.

Ben 23: "Whoa! Now that's what I call a fireworks display!"

Ben grimaced, shaking his head at his counterpart's childish reaction.

Ben: "That's Cherri Bomb. She's... well, let's just say she's not someone you want to mess with"

Cherri turned towards the commotion, spotting the two Bens. Her eyes lit up with recognition and mischief.

Cherri: "Crikey! If it ain't my favourite Tennyson. And... another one? This day just keeps gettin' better, mate!" 

Ben's expression hardened as he narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms in disbelief.

Ben: "So you're just okay with another version of me from a different universe?"

Cherri maintained a poker face, her fingers tapping thoughtfully against her lips as she blinked a few times.

Cherri: "Nah, mate. I reckon you've got a ripper yarn behind it, but I ain't much of a listener, ya know. Let's skip the yakkin' and go blow stuff!"

Ben sighed, realizing he wouldn't get a satisfying answer from Cherri. He glanced at Ben 23, who seemed eager to join her.

Ben 23: "Dude, you literally know everyone here! You didn't tell me that"

Ben shifted his attention back to Ben 23, his expression softening slightly as he reminisced about his time here.

Ben: "Yeah, being here for a while has introduced me to quite a crowd. Some are... well, let's just say some are like Charlie, and others..."

He trailed off, glancing over at Cherri, only to witness her tossing a bomb into an open window of a taxi. The resulting explosion caused the car to careen and collide with another building, triggering an even larger blast.

Cherri: "That's what I'm talking about!"

Ben sighed, shaking his head in exasperation at Cherri's antics.

Ben: "Yeah, some are a bit... explosive, to say the least"

Ben 23 chuckled, his eyes wide with excitement at Cherri's explosion.

Turning around, Cherri grinned mischievously, gesturing for them to follow as she began striding down the street.

Cherri: "Righto, you lot! Let's make some bloody fireworks!"

Ben 23 eagerly started to follow Cherri, but his steps were abruptly halted by Ben's firm grip on his shoulder. Ben turned to face him, his expression serious.

Ben: "Hold it right there. We are definitely not going to cause any collateral damage today. Last time I did, I ended up with an entire building falling on me"

Ben 23 sighed, slithering out of Ben's grip and crossing his arms defiantly.

Ben 23: "Oh, come on, man! It's just a bit of fun. I want to spend some time with Cherri; she looks cool"

Ben shook his head, his expression unwavering.

Ben: "No means no"

Ben 23 pouted, giving Ben his best attempt at puppy eyes, but Ben remained resolute.

Ben 23's expression shifted from disappointment to mischief as an idea sparked in his mind. He leaned in closer to Ben, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Ben 23: "Okay, okay, I get it. We won't cause any collateral damage. But come on, think about it. Cherri looks like she's about to pull off something really cool. We could just go and watch, keep an eye on her, make sure things don't get out of hand"

Ben raised an eyebrow, considering Ben 23's proposition. He hesitated for a moment, but the prospect of keeping Cherri out of trouble was tempting. Finally, he nodded, albeit reluctantly.

Ben: "Fine, but I'll be the one leading the way"

Ben 23 grinned triumphantly, nodding eagerly.

Ben 23: "Got it! Let's go catch up with Cherri!"

Time Skip:

Ben and Ben 23 found themselves standing in the middle of a sprawling junkyard, surrounded by towering piles of trash and scrap metal. The air was thick with the smell of decay, and the distant sound of machinery echoed through the maze of debris. Ben 23 looked around, his face contorted in disgust.

Ben 23: "Eww, seriously? A trashyard? This place is a total dump!"

Cherri smirk flattered, lighting a small explosive in her hand as she turned to Ben.

Cherri: "What? How're we gonna cause chaos and make people explode in 'ere, mate?"

Ben 23, equally unimpressed, waved his hand dismissively.

Ben 23: "Yeah! A star like me can't be found in a place like this. Where did you even find this place?"

Ben scratched the back of his head, looking around sheepishly.

Ben: "Uhh, plot convenience?"

Ben 23 raised an eyebrow.

Ben 23: "Come again?"

Ben turned to Cherri and Ben 23, his expression stern as he gestured to the empty lot they had moved to.

Ben: "Come on, guys. We can still have fun without causing destruction in the city. Remember, we're heroes, not villains. We're here to protect people, not put them in danger"

Cherri rolled her eyes, tossing the explosive from hand to hand.

Cherri: "Speak for yourself, Ben. I'm no hero in any shape or form, quite the opposite, mate. I'm more like the one stirrin' up trouble than savin' the day, ya know?"

Ben 23 groaned, kicking at a piece of debris on the ground.

Ben 23: "Yeah, I know I am a hero, but this place smells like garbage. Can't we at least find a better spot?"

Ben shook his head, his resolve unwavering.

Ben: "No, we're staying here. We can make this place fun. We just need to use our imagination"

Cherri and Ben 23 exchanged skeptical glances, but Ben's determination began to sway them. With a reluctant sigh, they nodded in agreement, albeit with some reservations. Cherri turned to Ben 23 with a hint of reluctant curiosity.

Cherri: "Righto, maybe there's a bit of promise here, 23. Let's chuck a few shrimp on the barbie and turn this dump into our playground, mate"

Ben 23 sighed dramatically but couldn't help the hint of a grin forming on his face.

Ben 23: "Alright, alright. But let's make this quick. I don't want to catch something gross in here"

The trio looked around the seemingly normal junkyard, struggling to find anything worthy of destruction.

Ben 23: "Yeah, the power of imagination isn't solving this one, chief..."

Suddenly, an idea popped into his head.

Ben 23: "If only..."

He glanced at his wrist, eyeing the hero watch. Cherri took notice, the bored expression on her face turning into a smirk.

Cherri: "Oh, you can transform too? Ripper! This is where the real fun kicks off, mate"

Ben and Cherri watched as Ben 23 lifted his wrist, pressing the watch and making the dial pop up. He dialed it until stopping at an alien silhouette, then slammed it down, enveloping him in a bright blue light. The two squinted their eyes against the brightness.

Ben 23's body began expanding, not just once, or twice, but three, four, and finally five times its original size. His skin took on a rocky, bluish-brown hue. His mouth widened, and his teeth hardened into rocky formations. Then, a deep rumble emanated from his stomach, and the center of it transformed into a blue molten lava core resembling a planet. He transformed into...

Orbit Man: "Orbit Man!"

Cherri's eyes widened with excitement, and Ben 23, now Orbit Man, grinned.

Orbit Man: "Alright, now let's see what kind of fun we can have with this place"

He extended his hand towards a massive piece of debris, his Gravikinesis power easily lifting it into the air. With precise control, he molded the debris into the shape of a building. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he summoned a garbage ball and hurled it at the makeshift structure, like a game of Angry Birds as it crashed through the building, causing it to collapse in a spectacular display.

Cherri's smirk widened as she pulled out a few more explosives.

Cherri: "Now we're talking!"

Ben, watching the scene unfold, couldn't help but smile.

Ben: "Not bad, although your technique could use some tweaking"

Orbit Man turned to Ben, staggering towards him with his arms crossed cockily, towering over him.

Orbit Man: "Alright, little guy, why don't you show us what you got?"

Cherri watched the banter between the two, finding it amusing.

Ben shrugged, dialing the watch before slamming the core, enveloping him in green light as he transformed into...

Gravattack: "Gravattack!"

Ben's Galilean form easily towered over Orbit Man, appearing more bulky than him, though they were near-identical in appearance apart from the color.

Gravattack: "Alright, watch and learn"

Using Gravikinesis with ease, Gravattack made half the junkyard lift into the air. Both Orbit Man and Cherri watched in awe at Gravattack's precise control as he moved his hands around, molding the chaos into not just one building, but an almost replica of a city. Gravattack's prowess made Orbit Man's efforts look amateurish in comparison.

As Gravattack effortlessly manipulated the junkyard with his Gravikinesis, Orbit Man watched in awe, his jaw dropping at the precision and control displayed by Ben over his transformation. Cherri, too, was impressed, her smirk widening as she observed the spectacle unfolding before her.

Orbit Man: "Alright, I'll admit, that's pretty impressive"

Gravattack grinned, enjoying the opportunity to show off his powers.

Gravattack: "Just wait, I'm not done yet"

With a flick of his wrist, Gravattack rearranged the floating debris into an intricate replica of a city, complete with skyscrapers, streets, and even tiny cars made from scraps. The cityscape took shape before their eyes, a testament to Gravattack's mastery over his abilities.

Cherri let out a low whistle, clearly impressed by Gravattack's display of power.

Cherri: "Now that's what I call impressive"

Gravattack nodded, a satisfied grin on his face as he surveyed his handiwork.

Gravattack: "What could I say more than you're welcome!"

Orbit Man fumbled with his phone, his oversized fingers squirming around as he tried to grab hold of it. Eventually, he managed to hold it up and took a shaky picture before hastily stashing it away in God's know where.

Orbit Man nodded in amazement.

Orbit Man: "Dude, I could never... I mean, I could if I tried hard enough, but seriously, when did you learn to do all this?"

Gravattack's eyes lit up, a hint of pride shining through.

Gravattack: "Well, after fighting crime for well over 8 years, you're bound to learn a trick or two"

Cherri felt a shiver run down her spine, her eyes widening in realization.

Cherri: "Does this mean ya could've just snapped me in two like a twig back then, but ya didn't?"

Gravattack gave her a reassuring smile.

Gravattack: "True, but I'll never harm someone whom I believe has good in their heart and can change for the better"

Cherri felt her cheeks warming as a deep blush spread across her face, causing her to stammer in surprise.

Cherri: "Y-you believe in me?"

Looking up, Gravattack met her gaze with his own, nodding.

Gravattack: "Yeah, I do"

Cherri's blush deepened as she looked away, feeling a rush of warmth at Gravattack's words. She swallowed nervously before finally speaking up.

Cherri: "Crikey, no one's ever said that to me before..."

As their eyes met, there was a brief moment of shared understanding before Orbit Man's voice broke the moment, pulling them back to reality.

Orbit Man: "Are you two lovebirds going to love town or what? Come on, let's have some fun!"

Cherri's blush intensified, and she quickly looked away, feeling embarrassed by Orbit Man's comment. Gravattack shot Orbit Man a stern glare, silently urging him to knock it off.

Orbit Man rolled his eyes sarcastically.

Orbit Man: "Oh yeah, I forgot you're not used to women flocking to you. Just because you're a Tennyson doesn't mean you're as famous as me. Haha"

Cherri's blush deepened as she looked away, embarrassed. Gravattack shot a glare at Orbit Man.

Gravattack: "Stop it, Ben 23"

Orbit Man shrugged nonchalantly.

Orbit Man: "What? Just speaking the truth"

He slammed down on his watch, enveloping himself in a blue light as he transformed into...

Build-A-Guy: "Build-A-Guy!"

He then turned back to the junk city, his arm thinning like paper as he extended it under some junk. His hand closed on the debris, compressing it into a cube. With a swift motion, his arm morphed into a slingshot. Taking aim, he fired the cube of compressed trash, launching it with impressive force into a building turning it into a rubble.

Cherri: "Impressive, mate!"

Build-A-Guy: "Thanks, lady"

Cherri's eyes gleamed with excitement as she stopped juggling her bombs.

Cherri: "Now my turn!"

Cherri threw the explosives into the air, watching them arc before they hit their targets, causing them to burst and destroy half of the junk city.

Cherri: "Strewth, this feels fair dinkum real. If only it had the screams of terror and fear, eh"

Build-A-Guy turned his hand into a speaker before speaking into it.

Build-A-Guy: "Ahh, please don't make me explode into itty-bitty pieces!"

Cherri let out a chuckle.

Cherri: "That's more like it, mate"

Build-A-Guy then turned his neck 360 degrees to face Gravattack, a smug smile crossing his face.

Build-A-Guy: "Alright, Prime, your turn"

Gravattack nodded before slamming the watch, enveloping him in bright green light. His big, bulky, rocky reddish body became white and more humanoid as it grew larger and larger by the second, making the two hurry out of the way before getting crushed. One big red horn protruded from his head, and colossal red blades grew on his shoulders as he transformed into...

Way Big: "Way Big!"

Meanwhile, at the I.M.P building, Blitz strolled towards the window, holding a cup of coffee and trying to calm himself before taking Loona to get her shots. As he glanced out the window, his eyes widened and the cup slipped from his hands, shattering on the floor. A massive creature loomed across the junkyard, its sheer size making Blitz's heart skip a beat.

Blitz: "Holy shit, did the Giants get awakened!"

He gulped in dread, but then something shiny on the giant's chest caught his attention. Peering closer, he saw the Omnitrix symbol, and his brow furrowed in recognition.

Blitz: "Oh, it's just the kid"

He let out a sigh of relief, muttering to himself as he turned away from the window, making his way down to the van.

Blitz: "What's with that jackass always causing trouble. Well, better him than a real giant, I guess"

Meanwhile, Way Big's towering form casts a long shadow over the junkyard, making the already impressive structures look like mere toys. Cherri's jaw hung open in surprise and amazement at the sight, while Build-A-Guy fumbled with his phone, eagerly snapping photos.

Build-A-Guy: "Holy smoke, it's your Giant-Manster form!"

Way Big gave a thumbs-up, his enormous hand making the gesture look almost comically large.

Way Big: "You got it. Now let's see what kind of chaos we can create on a larger scale"

Cherri's eyes sparkled with excitement as she quickly adjusted her explosives to pack a bigger punch.

Cherri: "Righto, Way Big, let's see what you're made of!"

Build-A-Guy: "This is gonna be epic!"

Way Big raised his hand, channeling energy into a powerful beam. With precision, he aimed it at a large junk tower, disintegrating it in an instant. The result is an explosion of debris.

Cherri coughed a few times from the debris, struggling to catch her breath before lifting her arms in celebration.

Cherri: "I've got the best destruction mate, woo hoo!"

Build-A-Guy watched in amazement, his phone capturing the entire spectacle.

Build-A-Guy: "For a guy who yap a bunch about safety, you sure love to take it a step further"

Way Big lifted his colossal hand, rubbing his neck awkwardly.

Way Big: "Uh, I don't know what you're talking about, dude. Hey, check this out instead"

He attempted to change the subject, lowering his arm and digging deep into the junk pile. With a mighty heave, he lifted a ball of trash.

Way Big: "Look at this shot instead"

Way Big hurls the ball with immense force, but it veers off course, missing the building entirely. Instead, it careens further and smashes into a nearby van, sending it tumbling onto its side with a resounding crash.

Way Big mutters a curse under his breath.

Way Big: "Aw, fuck me"

Build-A-Guy rolls his eyes at the mishap and quips.

Build-A-Guy: "I'll go sort that out"

Extending his limbs as he casually strides through the cluttered junkyard towards the overturned van.

Exiting the junkyard and reaching the road, Build-A-Guy transforms his body into a forklift, effortlessly lifting the black van and setting it upright. Once finished, he casually walks up to the van's window and leans against it.

Build-A-Guy: "Consider that a freebie. No need to thank me, but I won't say no if you insist"

He chuckled lightly.

???: "Benny?"

Build-A-Guy looked puzzled at the nickname as Millie, Moxxie, and Blitz emerged from the van, looking disoriented.

Blitz slapped his face a couple of times, snapping out of it.

Blitz: "What the hell was that?!"

Ignoring Build-A-Guy's presence, Blitz focused on inspecting the van to ensure it was alright. Meanwhile, Moxxie and Millie exchanged glances, eyeing 'Ben.'

Moxxie: "Thanks for the lift, Ben"

Build-A-Guy: "Yeah, anything for the fans"

Moxxie: "Fans?"

Build-A-Guy: "Don't dwell on it, random citizen"

Moxxie raised an eyebrow as 'Ben' acted as if they were meeting for the first time. Before he could inquire further, Millie interjected.

Millie: "Were you always this blue?"

Build-A-Guy looked down at himself.

Build-A-Guy: "Excuse me? What's wrong with my trademark blue!?"

Millie raised her hands defensively.

Millie: "N-nothing, I just thought your favorite color was green, that's all, hehe..."

Build-A-Guy's glare intensified, causing Millie to sweat nervously. Meanwhile, Moxxie observed from behind, noticing his peculiar behavior.

Millie: "So, um, anyway, since you're here, do you want to join us? I mean, we could use all the help we can get... For Loona, haha"

She laughed nervously, rubbing her hand.

Build-A-Guy: "Ah, I see. So you want to hang out with a famous guy like me, huh?"

Millie: "That's not what I meant-"

He interrupted her.

Build-A-Guy: "Normally, I'm a busy guy, you know, saving the day and all that. Plus, it would be quite expensive to invite a celebrity like me to hang out with your little group. But, since the little mishap was kind of our fault, I'll do it"

Before Moxxie and Millie could dwell further, Build-A-Guy's Omnitrix started beeping blue, In a flash of light, he detransformed back to his human form. The duo's eyes widened in surprise as 'Ben' stood before them, now dressed in distinctly different clothes and sporting an ear piercing.

Ben 23: "Alright, let's get going!"

Millie: "Um, Ben? You look... different"

Moxxie: "And since when do you have an ear piercing?"

Ben 23 smirked, brushing off their confusion.

Ben 23: "I dunno what you're talking about dude, this is how I normally look. Now, are we gonna stand here all day, or are we gonna get moving?"

Millie and Moxxie exchanged glances again, still puzzled but deciding to go along with it for now.

Millie: "Right... let's get going then"

They climbed into the van, still processing the strange behavior of the Ben they thought they knew. Meanwhile, Blitz, who had finally finished inspecting the van, turned around and gave Ben 23 a scrutinizing look.

Blitz: "Kid’s got a different look, but trouble is still his middle name"

With a resigned sigh, Blitz climbed into the driver’s seat, ready to get moving.

Blitz: "Alright, hop in. But keep your voice to a minimum, get it ?"

Ben 23 muttered.

Ben 23: "Pft, who do you think yourself, ordering me around old geezer"

Ben 23 hopped into the van, his eyes immediately drawn to Loona, who was sitting across from Blitz in the driver’s seat. Their eyes met, and Loona quickly blushed, looking away, embarrassed by his presence.

Meanwhile, Ben 23's eyes widened in amazement.

Ben 23: "Whoa, you look just like my Howlstrike form!"

Loona's ears perked up at the mention of the name, making her turn around, confused.

Loona: "I look like what now?"

Ben 23, with a smug expression, leaned back on the couch.

Ben 23: "Ya know, Howlstrike, the big wolf guy that can shoot sonic booms. I wouldn’t blame you for not remembering him. Didn't use him much after unlocking Copy Copy. Kind of used him around here and there for nostalgia bait from old fans"

Loona listened carefully but didn't understand half of what 'Ben' was saying.

Loona: "Wait, wait, fans? Copy Copy? Howlstrike? Uh, Ben, did you fall on your head or something? Last time I checked, he was called Blitzwolfer"

Blitz, overhearing this, raised an eyebrow.

Blitz: "Yeah, what's up with you, kid? You’re acting weirder than usual"

Ben 23 waved his hand dismissively.

Ben 23: "Me? Weirder than usual? I was never weird to begin with, ya know. I mean, you’re the weirdos who invited me into your van and are talking to me like we’re a family or something. But who wouldn’t want The Ben Tennyson in their family?"

Ben 23 looked slightly annoyed but shrugged it off, turning his attention elsewhere. Moxxie, however, was watching him closely, suspicion growing by the second. He edged closer to Millie and whispered in her ear.

Moxxie: "Alright, something's definitely off here"

Millie looked puzzled but listened as Moxxie continued.

Moxxie: "He didn’t recognize us or Loona, he’s wearing different clothes, and didn’t he tell us last time he would never give up his T-shirt?"

Millie: "You're right, Moxxie. This isn't our Ben"

Loona, picking up on the tension, glanced back at Ben 23, confused and a bit wary.

Blitz, sensing the unease, decided to address it head-on.

Blitz: "Listen, kid. If you're really Ben, you better start making sense real quick"

Ben 23 peered around, seeing everyone glaring at him, some with confusion and others with aggression. His mouth twitched with anger, his forehead furrowed, as he slurred.

Ben 23: "Really, guys? Is this the thanks I get for going with the likes of you? You ungrateful lot!"

Millie's face filled with anger. Without warning, she lunged at Ben 23, grabbing him by the collar and choking him against the seat.

Millie: "What did you do to the real Ben, you fucking fraud?!"

Ben 23 flailed his arms, trying to loosen her grip.

Ben 23: "Whoa, whoa! Let me go! Stupid butt face!"

Blitz snickered from the driver's seat.

Blitz: "Really, butt face? You think we're in a PG show or what?"

Blitz's snicker faltered as his phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, he rolled his eyes before quickly answering.

Blitz: "Oh, hey Stolas, we're really busy right now. There's this human pretending to be Ben and, uh, Millie is choking him to death, so maybe you could call, uh, next year?"

The scene cut to Stolas, tied to the back of a demonic horse by angelic ropes, while Striker rode said horse.

Stolas: "That certainly sounds interesting, but Blitzy, it seems like I have-"

Stolas was cut off by a loud voice coming from the speaker, making him squint his eyes and back the phone away from his ear.

Millie: "I SAID TELL ME WHERE'S THE REAL BEN BEFORE I FUCK YOU UP!"

Blitz: "Lower your goddamn voice, Millie, I'm on a call... jeez. So, you were saying?"

Stolas: "I find myself in a bit of a stitch"

Blitz: "Really, how so?"

Stolas: "I'm currently tied to the back of a horse"

Blitz: "Pfft... lucky bitch"

Stolas: "Um, no, rather unlucky. I seem to have been stolen by that little cowboy friend of yours"

Blitz thought for a second.

Blitz: "Oh, which one?"

Stolas took a few glances at Striker, as he magnificently rode his horse.

Stolas: "Mmm, sexy?"

Blitz scratched his head.

Blitz: "You're going to have to be more specific than that"

Stolas: "Well, I'm not very good with descriptions... oh, why don't you ask him yourself?"

Blitz: "Wait, what do you... oh, shit"

Blitz looked through the left window to see Striker grinning at him.

Blitz quickly turned around to see Millie choking Ben 23 Bart Simpson-style.

Blitz: "Hold on!"

They turned to him, but before they could act, Striker guided his horse, slamming into the side of the van.

The van shook violently from the impact. Millie loosened her grip on Ben 23, who gasped for air.

Ben 23: "What the heck was that?"

Blitz: "Striker's here, and he’s got Stolas. This just got a whole lot worse"

Loona: "Ugh, great, just what we needed"

Striker pulled his horse alongside the van, his angelic revolver drawn.

Striker: "Howdy, partners. Mind if I join the party?"

Blitz swerved the van, trying to shake Striker off.

Blitz: "Everyone, hang on!"

Ben 23, still coughing, looked around in confusion.

Ben 23: "Can someone please explain what's going on?"

Blitz: "Just stay out of the way, kid, or you'll get more than just a choking"

As the van sped down the road with Striker in hot pursuit, Stolas bounced around, stuck to the back of the horse.

Stolas: "My back would really thank you if you slowed down a bit!"

Ignoring him, Striker aimed the revolver. Blitz was focused on the road, but he spotted something shining in the rearview mirror. His eyes widened, and he quickly took a sharp turn just as Striker clicked the trigger. The bullet pierced through the air, easily penetrating the inside of the van before exiting through the other end without hitting anyone.

Blitz: "Holy shit, that was close!"

Millie: "This guy's not giving up, is he?"

Moxxie: "We need a plan, and fast!"

Striker's horse galloped alongside the van again. Striker smirked, reloading his revolver with practiced ease.

Striker: "Come on, Blitz, make it interesting!"

Blitz swerved the van again, trying to loose Striker.

Ben 23 tried to calm everyone, a smug smile playing on his lips.

Ben 23: "Jeez, I'm not sure what all the panic is about. That's just some armed robber. Let a real hero deal with it"

Ben 23 activated the hero watch on his wrist, sliding his hand around the faceplate before slamming the core, enveloping him in bright light, some of the bright blue light escaped from the windows, making Striker squint his eyes.

Striker: "What the?"

As the light died down, he transformed into...

FastCat: "FastCat!"

The sleek, blue feline alien took a moment to adjust before speaking in a confident tone.

FastCat: "Time to speed things up"

With incredible speed, FastCat exited the van and ran circles around Striker and his horse, creating a vortex of wind and debris. Striker struggled to keep his aim steady, his horse panicking from the sudden whirlwind.

Suddenly, FastCat, stopped running around Striker.

FastCat: "Oh no, I forgot to film myself doing this special move, hold on a sec"

He pointed his finger at Striker, then rummaged through his pocket before finally pulling out his phone.

FastCat: "Alright, let's-"

Before he could continue, an angelic rope was thrown around his waist, tightening quickly and trapping him. FastCat struggled against the bindings, his phone slipping from his grasp and clattering to the ground.

FastCat: "Hey, what the-?!"

Striker smirked, tightening the rope further with a swift tug.

Striker: "You really should pay more attention, kid"

FastCat gulped as the revolver was pointed at his head, ready to blow it to bits any second. His hero watch beeped blue, signaling the end of his transformation and reverting him back to his human form.

Striker lowered the gun momentarily, taking a closer look at Ben 23.

Striker: "Now, you kinda look a bit different than I remember you"

Ben 23: "Dude, I’ve never seen you in my entire life"

Striker's eyes narrowed, and he quickly raised the revolver again, silencing Ben 23. He took a long, menacing breath.

Striker: "No, it can't be that easy. After the pain you caused me, you'd think I'd grant you a mercy death? Think again, bastard. You and this bird are going to be my new torture toys"

Ben 23's heart raced as he tried to process the threat. He glanced around, searching for a way out.

Ben 23: "Look, I don’t know what you think I did, but-"

Striker cut him off, pressing the revolver harder against Ben 23's head.

Striker: "Save your breath. You’re not getting out of this one. I've been waiting for this moment for a long time"

Ben 23 struggled to keep his composure, feeling the weight of the situation. He knew he had to stall for time, hoping that his hero watch would charge before anything messy happen.

Ben 23: "Okay, okay. Just… let’s talk about this. What exactly do you think I did to you?"

Striker’s eyes glinted with fury and a twisted pleasure.

Striker: "You ruined everything. You destroyed my plans, humiliated me. And now, I'm going to enjoy every second of making you pay for it"

Ben 23's mind raced. Suddenly, he remembered Ben mentioning an assassin called Striker earlier. He silently cursed Ben for putting him in this situation.

Ben 23: "Wait, wait. I think there's been a mix-up. You’ve got the wrong guy"

Striker's grip on the revolver tightened, his eyes narrowing.

Striker: "Nice try. You can’t talk your way out of this"

Ben 23: "No, seriously! My name is Ben, but I’m not the Ben you think I am. I just got here from another universe. There’s another Ben who might’ve-"

Striker’s expression twisted in confusion and anger.

Striker: "Another universe? Do you think I’m stupid?"

Ben 23: "I’m telling the truth! There’s another Ben, and he’s the one you’re after"

Striker peered at Ben 23 momentarily, noticing the van speeding toward them.

Striker: "Ah, I get it now. You were stalling for time. Too bad"

With ease, he lifted Ben 23 and tied him to the back of his horse alongside Stolas.

Striker: "Trust me, kid, we're going to have a blast"

He let out a dark chuckle before taking aim at the van, shooting out the wheels. The van swerved wildly before coming to a screeching halt. Striker then spurred his horse, riding away at high speed with his captives in tow.

Ben 23 struggled against the ropes, his mind racing to think of a way out. Stolas, turned his head to Ben 23.

Stolas: "Ben, Seriously, what did you do to the cowboy to anger him that bad? He was muttering your name the whole way?"

Ben 23: "I literally don't know either!"

Stolas twisted his head to look at Ben 23, his eyes narrowing in thought.

Stolas: "Why don't you use that watch to turn into something like you did before?"

Ben 23 sighed, glancing down at his wrist.

Ben 23: "My watch kinda goes funky when it comes to magic items and attacks. Azmuth told me something about it being in the prototype phase and that I should stop using it for a while so he could recalibrate it. But, being the hero and famous guy that I am, I couldn't just go radio silent for a whole three years! So, I never did"

He motioned to the watch, showing Stolas the faceplate with white energy glitching around it.

Ben 23: "And now this happens"

Stolas frowned, considering their options.

Stolas: "So, it's unreliable right now? That complicates things"

Back at the junkyard, Cherri sat on a broken table, swinging her legs with boredom while Ben paced impatiently. He glanced at his wrist out of habit, only to remember that his watch didn't show the time.

Ben: "He sure is taking his sweet ass time"

Cherri: "Perhaps you should go look for the little bloke, mate. Maybe he got lost, or his organs got sold"

Ben recoiled in disgust.

Ben: "Hopefully not. I'm not sure what that would do to his timeline, but it's probably not pretty"

He pressed two fingers against the square hourglass on the watch's faceplate, summoning a green hologram with the heads of various aliens. Ben scrolled through until he found the one he needed, then lifted his fingers and the Core popped up. With a decisive motion, he slammed it, envolping him in a bright green light...

Ben's eyes shot open, glowing with green light as his skin took on a reddish, scaly appearance. His mouth morphed into a yellow beak, and a growth sprouted from his back, forming a jetpack-like structure. Wings resembling gliders shot out from the structure, while his fingers and feet transformed into sharp claws. As he turned into...

Astrodactyl: "Astrodactyl! Gawk!"

Green energy surged from the bottom of the jetpack, propelling him into the air.

Astrodactyl: "Sorry for cutting our meeting short, but I need to go find that little troublemaker"

Cherri: "No worries, mate. Until next time, destruction buddy?"

Astrodactyl: "You bet. Gawk"

With that, Astrodactyl turned and soared through the air, scanning the area for any sign of Ben 23.

Time Skip:

Following his gut feeling, Astrodactyl raced along the trail left by the vehicle. It led him to the aftermath of what seemed like a car chase, with the surprising addition of a horse. Pushing his speed to the limit, he closed in on the scene until he spotted the familiar silhouette of a van.

Astrodactyl descended swiftly, landing near the van with a thud. He scanned the area for any signs of Ben 23, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. The van showed signs of a struggle, with scuff marks and bullet holes littering its exterior. As he approached the vehicle, its doors suddenly swung open, and Blitz, Moxxie, Millie, and Loona emerged.

Astrodactyl: "Woah, it's you guys. What are you doing here?"

Blitz: "The real question is who the fuck are you questioning what we do?"

Astrodactyl facepalmed.

Astrodactyl: "For the love of Qawk, do I need to go through this every time?"

He slammed the watch, detransforming back into Ben in a burst of green light.

Loona/Millie: "Ben/Benny!"

As Ben approached the group, Millie rushed over and enveloped him in a tight hug, while Loona followed suit, before planting a quick kiss on his cheek. Ben blushed, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the affection.

Ben: "Woah, woah, what's going on? Did something happen?"

Moxxie stepped forward, concern evident in his voice.

Moxxie: "We thought something happened to you when that imposter came with us"

Ben's eyes widened in confusion.

Ben: "Imposter? What are you talking about?"

Millie and Loona broke the hug, their expressions serious.

Millie: "Yeah, he looked just like you, but wearing different clothes"

Loona: "True, we thought he'd... you know, done something to you and was trying to take your place"

Ben couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all.

Ben: "What kind of stupid plot is that? Someone must've been cutting corners, huh?"

He shook his head, then turned his attention back to the group.

Ben: "Okay, where is he now?"

Millie and Loona exchanged puzzled glances before turning their attention back to Ben.

Millie: "First, who was he?"

Loona nodded in agreement.

Loona: "Yeah, and how come he can transform like you?"

Ben scratched his head, trying to figure out the best way to explain.

Ben: "Well, you see, he's called Ben 23 and he's... another version of me from a different universe. And, um, he has a device called the Omnitrix, just like mine, that allows him to transform into different aliens, like I do"

He paused, hoping his explanation made sense to them.

As Ben finished explaining, a stunned silence fell over the group. Trying to process the information.

Meanwhile, Moxxie's excitement was palpable, his eyes widening and he clasped his hands together.

Moxxie: "I knew it! The multiverse is real!"

His exclamation broke the silence, but Blitz shot him a skeptical look, unconvinced.

Blitz: "Do you really buy into this shit?"

Moxxie crossed his arms defensively.

Moxxie: "Well, how else do you explain it then, sir?"

Blitz rolled his eyes, not willing to engage in the discussion.

Blitz: "Multiverse, whatever"

Moxxie wore a thoughtful expression, his brow furrowed in contemplation.

Moxxie: "But how did he break through the fabric of reality to cross into ours? The power to do such a thing-"

Ben waved his hand dismissively, cutting him off.

Ben: "No need for the physics lesson, Moxxie. I already learned that today"

Moxxie blinked, caught off guard by the interruption.

Moxxie: "Oh, okay, but-"

Ben's abrupt interruption silenced Moxxie's question mid-sentence.

Ben: "Well, I think that's enough questions for now. Would you guys mind telling me where the fuck he is now?"

Blitz: "Well, your little friend got abducted by Striker. He thought he was you. Shit was funny, but unfortunately, he also got Stolas, and knowing that guy's aesthetic, my money's that he's in the Wrath ring"

Ben's face hardened at the mention of Striker, memories flooding back from their last encounter.

Ben: "That fuckers is back?"

Ben looked around, confusion evident on his face.

Ben: "What the fuck are you all doing standing here like a bunch of clueless idiots then!?"

Blitz: "Well, jackass, because of Striker, the van is out of commission. I was waiting for a taxi so I could bring Loona to the... umm..."

Loona's neck snapped towards him, shooting him a death glare warning him not to reveal their destination.

Blitz started to sweat as he trailed off.

Blitz: "To, umm, to... Oh-Look-It's-here!"

Blitz blurted out before scooping up Loona with surprising ease and dashing towards the taxi. He quickly helped her inside before turning to Millie and Moxxie.

Blitz: "You two sure you can handle things alone?"

Moxxie offered him a reassuring salute.

Moxxie: "Don't worry, Sir. We make a lethal team, and with Ben here, we're unstoppable!"

Blitz rolled his eyes.

Blitz: "Yeah, last time I trusted you with a mission, I almost ended up with my chest carved open"

Ben gave a sheepish smile, scratching the back of his head.

Ben: "Yeah, sorry about that"

Blitz sighed, his expression softening.

Blitz: "Just do one job fucking right for a change okay? I don't want any more suprises"

With a nod from Millie and Moxxie, Blitz waved them off before turning to the driver, giving directions to their destination. As the taxi pulled away, the Imps watched it disappear around the corner before turning their attention back to Ben.

Ben: "Alright, Wrath Ring, got it"

Ben quickly glanced at the watch,
ready to transform, before Millie
stopped him.

Millie: "We're going with you"

Ben: "Why? I can easily take care of him by myself"

Millie's brows lowered in concern.

Millie: "He's equipped with angelic weapons this time around. He was also able to easily take down the, uh, other you. So the more help, the better"

Ben: "Well, Ben 23 only has a prototype Omnitrix, and trust me, that glitchy piece of junk would probably fold under any magic. But mine is the complete version. I'm not going to be trapped with him; he's going to be trapped with me"

Millie listened to his explanation, her concern not fully easing. Meanwhile, Moxxie stepped up to Ben.

Moxxie: "Even so, I still have a score to settle with him. It's something personal"

Ben looked at Moxxie and Millie,
seeing the determination in their eyes.

Ben: "Alright, let's do this together. But stay sharp, and follow my lead"

Sloth Ring:

The taxi stopped in front of a hospital building in the Sloth Ring, and out came Blitz and a terrified Loona.

Blitz: "Come on, Loony. Come on, this will be over lickety-split, alright?"

Blitz pushed the door open and dragged Loona inside by her tail. Loona scratched at the floor, hesitant to go in.

Blitz: "Christ on a stick! Of all the days for him to get his stupid feathered-ass kidnapped... I have waited five fucking years for this appointment! FUCK ME IN MY LITTLE RED HOLES!"

Blitz glanced over at a demon mother glaring at him. Her son was next to her on a leash.

Blitz: "Hi. The fuck you looking at?"

Blitz walked up to the desk toward a baphomet nurse.

Blitz: "Heya, toots. I'm here for that S-H-0-T for my Loony Toony"

The nurse laughed while Loona growled from behind. A nearby poster showed a hound with a needle in its back that read 'Get yours today or else!'

Nurse: "The what?"

Blitz sighed and grabbed a clipboard.

Blitz: "The B-U-L-L shit that my daughter has to get every year that you M-0-T-H-E-R fuckers only allow us to schedule every five years. How the fuck you fuck up that bad, anyway, titty-haver?"

Blitz wrote down his name on the clipboard's paper and pushed it toward the nurse.

Nurse: "I can't read, either"

Blitz: "The fucking Hellbies shot you fucking re-ally can't say that word anymore. The appointment is under Blitz"

The nurse flipped through a notebook full of appointments.

Nurse: "Uhhhm...I don't see any Blitz"

Blitz: "It's spelled B-L-I-T-Z-O, with an O at the end, you fucking ret-"

She flipped the notebook over.

Nurse: "Oh! An "o" right here. Yep, yep! Blitzooo, Blitzoooo"

Blitz's eye twitched, a vein throbbing on his forehead with anger.

Nurse: "Oh, here it is. You're right on time. Take a seat; they'll call you soon, Mr. O"

Blitz turned around, opening his jacket and going for his gun, hidden in his shirt, finally fed up with the nurse. But the demon mother glared at him suspiciously, making him quickly hide it as he chuckled nervously.

Blitz: "Perf"

Blitz headed over and took a seat in the waiting room with his arms folded. He glanced at Loona, who was nervously fidgeting under three chairs, her tail twitching irritably.

Blitz: "Oh, don't worry, Loona. It's
okay, it's just one little prick. You won't feel it"

Mother: "Ew, don't say that, it sounds vulgar"

Blitz snaps his neck to the lady,
before shouting.

Blitz: "We're in hell Who fucking cares!"

Wrath Ring:

The scene cuts to Striker galloping on his horse through the scorching desert of the Wrath Ring. Ben 23, drenched in sweat, struggles to keep up.

Ben 23: "Ugh, dude, I'm burning here. Couldn't you spare a sip of wate-"

Striker silences him with a fierce glare before turning back.

An imp begins to extend the notes, much to Striker's annoyance.

Imp: "He's Striker, he-"

Striker: "SHUT THE FUCK UP! I'M TRYIN' TO DO MY FUCKING JOB! YOU COMIN' IN HERE SINGING ABOUT ME FOR THE MILLIONTH FUCKING TIME! LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE, YOU FREAKS!"

The terrified mariachi imps quickly ride away in their cart.

Stolas, despite the dire situation, can't help but be curious.

Stolas: "How does one get their own theme song?"

Ben 23, despite being dehydrated, couldn't resist a chance to show off. He turned to Stolas with a smug grin.

Ben 23: "Well, bird guy, I also have a theme song! Because I'm a celebrity, ya know"

Stolas raises an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued.

Stolas: "Oh really? Care to share a bit of it?"

Ben 23, eager to show off, smiled.

Ben 23: "Sure! It goes a little something like-"

Taking a deep breath, he started to sing.

Ben 23: "It started when the hero watch did what it did, gave me powers and cool aliens, oh yes it di-"

Striker, his patience snapping, whips around and shushes him harshly.

Striker: "I said, enough! One more peep outta you and I'll tear your tongue outta your mouth"

Ben 23 pouts but falls silent, before grumbling under his breath.

Sloth Ring Hospital:

Back at the hospital, Blitz sat impatiently in the waiting room, glancing over at Loona, who was nervously fidgeting with her fingers.

Blitz: "So, Loony, how you feeling?"

A young boy pointed at Blitz from across the room.

Kiddo: "Look, Mommy! They let fire toads in here!"

Blitz's eyes narrowed, annoyance flaring.

Blitz: "The fuck did you just call me?"

The mother turned to look at her son, her expression a mix of embarrassment and disapproval.

Mother: "It's not polite to call them that to their face, honey. Wait until we're in the car"

Blitz, unable to contain his irritation, stood up.

Blitz: "You got a problem with me, cunt?"

The mother gasped, pulling her son into her fun bags protectively.

Mother: "There is a child present, you filthy Wrathian!"

Blitz stood up, glaring at the mother.

Blitz: "Oh, I am not from Wrath, bitch. Also, my kid's here, too, and I don't think she would appreciate you calling her father... 'things'...

The mother turned to the nurse, her expression one of indignation.

Mother: "Is there any way we can
reschedule for a time when less of the unemployed rabble are out?"

The nurse shrugged nonchalantly.

Nurse: "I'm not even qualified to work here!"

Blitz smirked, not missing a beat.

Blitz: "Oh, please. I bet the hardest work you've ever done is convincing your husband that little shit's his"

Blitz pointed at the boy, whose eyes began to water before bursting into full-blown crying. BIitz's eye twitched with anger, and he snapped.

Blitz: "Stop fucking crying, bitch! Wah wah wah! I don't wanna fucking hear it!"

Loona blinked at Blitz's sudden
outburst, while the mother gasped in surprise.

Mother: "Shame on you! Who do you think you are to speak to my child like this?!"

Blitz: "Me? Oh, I kill people. How does a two-for-one special sound, whore?"

Blitz pulled out his flintlock pistol and pointed it at her, causing the entireb room to fall silent in shock. The nurse quickly intervened.

Nurse: "Mr. O, the doc will see your hound now"

Blitz's expression softened slightly as he put away his pistol.

Blitz: "Finally"

He gestured for Loona to follow him, muttering under his breath as they walked towards the exam room.

Blitz: "Let's get this over with, Loony"

Wrath Ring:

In the middle of nowhere, a single vehicle sped through the desolate landscape. Upon closer inspection, it was a futuristic van, covered in a black latex-like substance adorned with green stripes. Inside, the van's interior was also black, with Moxxie and Millie sitting in the back as the van drove itself.

Moxxie: "Amazing, this form's usability is astounding!"

He spoke to no one in particular until the steering wheel wobbled slightly. A black blob popped out, revealing the Omnitrix as its eye. This was Ben in his Upgrade form.

Upgrade: "Glad you think so, Moxxie. This form does have its perks"

Millie: "I still can’t believe we're riding in Ben. It's kinda weird but awesome at the same time"

Upgrade: "Weird? I’d say innovative. Look, just don't think about it in a freaky way, trust me"

Returning to the wheel, Upgrade continued driving the van until he spotted a gas station.

Upgrade: "Listen, there's a gas station up ahead. Let's check if anyone has seen Striker"

Upgrade increased the speed slightly, the van kicking up sand as it approached the station. Once they parked, Moxxie moved to open the door, but Upgrade opened it automatically.

Moxxie: "Ooh, fancy"

Moxxie and Millie stepped out, scanning the area for anyone to ask about Striker. Meanwhile, Upgrade stayed in the van. Suddenly, a biker gang pulled up, circling around the vehicle. One of the bikers dismounted, examining the van with amazement.

Biker Leader: "Well, ain't this a work of art, boys. Looks like we found a treasure in the desert"

The Biker Leader removed his sunglasses, taking a closer look at the door handle. As he reached to unhinge the door, a voice echoed from the van.

Upgrade: "I'm flattered you called my Upgrade a work of art, but I'd appreciate it if you didn't try breaking in"

The biker flinched, lifting his hand and backing away. The gang looked around, searching for the source of the voice, before Upgrade's head popped out of the windshield.

Biker Leader: "It can talk too? I wonder who's the rich fuck that owns this one, huh? Too bad they're not gonna find it by the time they return"

Upgrade's 'eye' narrowed, glowing with intensity.

Upgrade: "You really don't want to do this. Trust me"

The biker gang laughed, unimpressed by the warning.

Biker Leader: "Oh yeah? And what's a fancy talking car gonna do about it?"

Suddenly, a bright green light enveloped the van, causing the biker gang members to either look away, close their eyes, or shield themselves. As the light died down, the Biker Leader was the first to return his gaze.

Biker Leader: "You think some light show is gonna scare us... huh?"

The gang members gradually turned their attention back to the van, only to find its sleek black and green striped futuristic design had reverted to a mere ugly-looking vehicle. But looking up, they saw someone standing on top of it.

A yellow and black metal humanoid, his frame shining under the sun, with a skull-like metallic head floating in an arch between his shoulders, his head adorned with a yellow eyebrow-like crest on his forehead.

Lodestar: "Lodestar!"

Lodestar slid off the roof, landing on one of the bikers and knocking him to the ground. The rest of the gang pulled their weapons, ready to jump him.

Lodestar chuckled to himself as he lifted his pincer.

Lodestar: "You wanted a piece of me?"

Magnetic waves emanated from his lifted pincer, causing the parked motorcycles to shake. The gang looked around, confused.

Lodestar: "Here you go"

His brow furrowed as he closed his pincer, making some of the motorcycles levitate and snap shut on several gang members, trapping them inside before he let go, causing them to fall to the ground, unable to move. The rest of the gang, though frightened, ran at him to attack.

With a smirk, Lodestar slammed the watch. One of the gang members with a metal chain swung it, aiming at the bright green light. Out of the light came a burning hand, grabbing the chain mid-air with ease and melting it to the ground with his intense heat. As the light died down, Heatblast emerged.

HeatBlast: "If ya can't handle the heat, get out of the kitchen"

Lifting both of his hands, a stream of fire shot out, surrounding the gang and halting them in their tracks. Some of the unfortunate ones who couldn't stop in time took slight burns, retreating quickly to avoid further injury.

Meanwhile, Moxxie and Millie watched from a distance, their eyes wide with awe as they observed the epic fight.

Moxxie: "Wow, Ben really knows how to handle these guys"

Millie: "Yep, he's got some pretty impressive moves. My Benny is really amazing, better than anything that egotistical annoying fraud can do"

Imp: "He really is amazing, huh?"

Moxxie and Millie’s eyes widened at the sudden voice. Glancing back, they found the mariachi band standing nearby.

Millie: "Since when were you guys here?"

Imp: "For a while now"

Moxxie: "Well, since you're here, have any of you seen this guy riding around here?"

Moxxie showed the band a drawing of Striker firing a gun.

Imp: "Oww! He's galloping-"

Millie: "No, NO! No singing! Just a yes or no, please"

Imp 2: "Yeah, he lives out by the Badman Lands, in the old train tunnel near the mine shafts. Very outlaw aesthetic, ya can't miss it"

Moxxie: "Thank you kindly"

Millie: "Come on, Ben! Take care of 'em quickly, we got a lead"

Turning into AmpFibian, he was zapping any of the remaining bikers that got too close. One of them tried a sneak attack, but as if sensing him, AmpFibian dodged, getting behind the biker before zapping him. The biker’s muscles contracted as he fell to the ground, shaking like a fish out of water.

AmpFibian: "Got it"

He turned to the few remaining bikers. They met his gaze, albeit shakily, clearly hesitant to get any closer after witnessing how effortlessly he had defeated their gang.

AmpFibian: "Anyone else want to try their luck?"

The bikers glanced back at their leader, uncertainty evident in their eyes. The Biker Leader's forehead creased with frustration as he gritted his teeth, his jaw clenched in anger. Pride kept him from admitting defeat, rendering him unable to utter the words of surrender. Instead, he let out a heavy sigh before signaling to the rest of the bikers to follow him away, their defeated expressions matching his own.

Amphibian smirked triumphantly.

Amphibian: "Still got it"

He then slammed the watch faceplate, transforming back into Upgrade with a burst of bright light. He then liquefied his form, seamlessly merging with the van and transforming it back to its former Upgraded state. With a satisfied nod, he opened the doors, allowing Moxxie and Millie to enter.

Striker's Hideout:

The scene cuts to Striker's hideout where Stolas is tied upside down on some railroad tracks. Ben 23 is thrown against a stone pillar, waking up with a grunt.

Ben 23 shook his head to clear the fog, noticing Stolas beginning to stir. As Stolas's eyes opened and he surveyed his surroundings, his gaze landed on Striker, who was nearby using a whetstone to sharpen a Blessed Knife.

Stolas: "So, my wife paid you for this, hmm? Wouldn't a holy bullet have sufficed? Or can you not afford those?"

Striker: "It's none of your business, freak"

Ben 23: "Look who's talking, the guy that looks like he robbed a Party City"

Striker's nose crinkled with anger as he peered back at Ben 23.

Ben 23: "What? I ain't lying though"

Ben 23 glanced around, finding it amusing where they were.

Ben 23: "Train tracks? Really? What's this, a Western movie? What’s next, an epic showdown at high noon?"

Stolas chuckled at Ben 23's comment.

Stolas: "Feels a bit clichéd, doesn’t it?"

Striker huffed, clearly annoyed.

Striker: "You uncultured fucks, this is a classic!"

Stolas: "Is the giant statue of yourself also a 'classic,' or...?"

The camera shifts up to a statue in front of Striker, depicting him grinning with an exaggeratedly huge penis. Striker looks at Stolas, pissed off, and throws the whetstone.

Striker: "Are you seriously judging me right now?"

Stolas: "I'm just impressed you seem to want to lick your own dick this badly"

Striker: "Look. Not every ring is some fancy-ass city, with some fancy-ass mansion, that only fancy-ass royals get to live in"

Ben 23 couldn't help but voice his thoughts.

Ben 23: "Look, dude, I'm like the richest guy in my world, and even I don't have a statue of myself with a comically large willy. This is all you, man"

Stolas: "Exactly! Thank you"

Striker, enraged, advanced toward Ben 23, gripping his cheeks together and making him squirm.

Striker: "You brat better shut up before I change my mind and just end you now with a bullet to the head"

Letting go, he left red marks on Ben 23's cheeks. Ben 23 frowned at him as Striker strolled toward Stolas.

Striker: "Some of us have hard lives to live. And some of us have everything we care about taken away by fuckers like you"

Stolas: "I don't see what that has to do with the statue- AAAGH!"

Striker, with a swift movement, plunged the knife into Stolas' shoulder. Stolas tried to scream, but Striker clamped a hand over his mouth, muffling his cries to mere huffs and grunts.

With a sadistic grin, Striker twisted the knife, ensuring it tore through Stolas' left deltoid, severing tendons and muscle. Ben 23 watched in horror as blue blood spurted from the wound with each agonizing slice. Striker's grin widened as he saw Stolas kick his feet in the air, the searing pain evident in his every movement. The sizzling sound of the blessed knife against demonic flesh echoed through the hideout, adding to the nightmarish scene.

Ben 23, his heart racing, struggled against his bonds, desperately trying to think of a way to help. But the sight of Striker's merciless grin and the smell of burning flesh that was burning his nostrils kept him rooted in a mix of fear and anger.

Ben 23: "S-stop!"

Ben 23 let out a weak weep, feeling a flicker of hope when Striker finally pulled the knife out, allowing Stolas' bloody body to fall with a thud onto the floor. However, that hope was quickly crushed as Striker turned towards him with a menacing smile. Striker ran a hand down the spine of the knife, cleaning off the blood, then shook his hand, letting the blood dribble everywhere, some of it splattering onto Ben 23.

Striker: "Ah, I see you're so eager to be gutted like a pig"

He shrugged, then kneeled down to Ben 23. Ben 23 tried to back away, only to be held by Striker's crushing grip.

Striker: "Who am I to disagree?"

Ben 23's mind raced, desperately trying to think of a way out. He could feel the cold blade of the knife hovering near his skin, and the fear surged through him like a tidal wave. Striker's eyes gleamed with sadistic delight, relishing the fear and desperation in Ben 23's eyes.

Striker: "Oh do I like the smell of fear, and you happen to be full of it"

Ben 23: "I-I, you wouldn't hurt a child, would you?"

Without a word, Striker plunged the knife into Ben 23's thigh, breaking the skin and going deep into the muscle, hitting the adductor longus. This time, there was no sizzle. For a moment, Ben 23 didn't even realize he'd been stabbed due to how professionally and quickly Striker did it. But as the knife was removed, blood came rushing down his leg, and he fell to the ground, gritting his teeth before letting out a blood-curdling scream.

Striker grinned, watching Ben 23 writhe in agony. He held up the bloodied knife, inspecting it with twisted satisfaction.

Striker: "Oh, I'd hurt anyone if it meant getting what I want, and that thing is revenge"

Ben 23's vision blurred with pain, his mind screaming for some way to escape. He tried to crawl away, but his leg wouldn't cooperate, the pain too intense. He could hear Stolas' labored breathing nearby, his own fear mirrored in the demon's eyes.

Stolas: "Y-you... monster..."

Striker: "Keep talking, bird. I love the sound of your pain"

Ben 23's hand behind his back fumbled for his watch, hoping that it would work this time, despite the glitches. The faceplate flickered, but he couldn't see any clear read on any of the aliens.

Ben 23: "Come on, come on..."

Striker noticed the movement and snatched Ben 23's wrist, squeezing it painfully.

Striker: "None of that now, brat. This is gonna be slow... and fun"

Ben 23's eyes filled with tears, a mix of pain and frustration. He couldn't let this be the end. He had to find a way to fight back, to protect Stolas, and to get out of this alive.

Striker let go of Ben 23's wrist and slashed at his exposed sleeves, chipping some skin off. Ben 23 fell to the ground, the exposed flesh burning as debris from the ground embedded itself into his wound.

Striker, still believing Ben 23 was the original Ben, taunted him with a sneer.

Striker: "You've gotten weaker. Where did all that bravado go now, huh?!"

Ben 23's breath came in ragged gasps, pain coursing through his body. He could barely think, let alone respond to Striker's taunts. His watch was malfunctioning, his body was failing, and he felt utterly helpless.

Stolas lifted his head, eyes opening wide and shining red as he tried to unleash hell on Striker. But his efforts were in vain as his eyes dulled and he fell back again. Striker noticed and shook his head in satisfaction.

Striker: "Don't bother trying to use your little eye trick on me; those ropes ain't gonna let you do anything. Got somethin' to say about that? Your Highness?"

He reared his leg and shoved his foot deep into Stolas's wound, causing him to writhe in agony. Stolas gritted his teeth, his body contorting as waves of pain coursed through him. Striker then knelt down on his chest, applying pressure that made it difficult for Stolas to breathe.

With a sadistic grin, Striker toyed with the knife on Stolas's cheeks, making small cuts that elicited pained gasps from the demon. Each slice sent a jolt of agony through Stolas's body, his muscles tensing and his skin tingling with searing pain. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he struggled to endure the torment, his breaths coming in ragged gasps.

Stolas: "You evil, fucking psychopath"

Striker's nose wrinkled as he gritted his teeth before standing up.

Striker: "Let me ask you something. What makes me evil? You don't call fire inherently evil. After all, fire keeps you warm, fire cooks your food, so fire is good. But when fire burns your home and kills your family, then fire is bad? Don't you see the hypocrisy in that? The same goes for me. I'm saving my enslaved brethren imps from this hierarchy that people like you built, so that makes me good. But yet I'm seen as evil because I kill royals. See now, foolish bird? Fire and I are one and the same. The only difference is that I can speak and call out your hypocrisy"

Ben 23, barely holding on, listened to Striker's twisted logic. Despite his pain, he managed a weak retort.

Ben 23: "You're... delusional. Hurting... innocent people... doesn't make you a hero"

Striker shot a glare at Ben 23.

Striker: "Quiet, brat. Your time will come soon enough"

Stolas took a deep, ragged breath, his chest heaving with the effort. With a trembling voice, he managed to utter his words through the pain.

Stolas: "You speak of wanting royalties dead...yet...you work for one. Who's the hypocrite now?"

Stolas, despite his pain and weakened state, attempted to trip Striker with his leg, but Striker swiftly sidestepped the maneuver. Before Stolas could react, Striker drew his angelic gun and fired a bullet straight through Stolas's Soleus muscle. Stolas's eyes widened in terror and panic as blood and feathers sprayed everywhere, and chunks of flesh scattered from the gaping wound. Ben 23 watched in horror and disgust as he witnessed the gruesome mutilation, feeling his stomach churn uncontrolably until he couldn't bear it any longer and vomited.

Standing beside the barely conscious husk of Stolas, Striker taunted him mercilessly.

Striker: "Trying to sneak up on an assassin? As if that would ever work. Think, Stolas, think!"

He erupted into maniacal laughter, a stark contrast to the earlier grunts of pain from Ben 23 and Stolas's shallow breaths. Stepping away, he watched the aftermath of his brutal attack unfold.

Ben 23 lay on his back, vomit beside him and blood pooling beneath him, clinging to life with every ounce of his being. Stolas, on the other hand, lay with his leg twitching uncontrollably, the cut nerves firing signals to nowhere as he stared blankly at the ceiling, contemplating if this was the end of his life.

Striker reveled in the moment, relishing the power he held over these two figures who, in his eyes, were godlike in status. One was believed to be untouchable, and the other had once been at his mercy. Now, they both lay vulnerable before him, their lives hanging by a thread, sustained only by his amusement and vindictiveness. It was a moment of triumph, one that he savored with every fiber of his being, as he basked in the feeling of absolute control.

Sloth Ring Hospital:

Back at the hospital, Blitzo and Loona found themselves inside the doctor's office.

Dr. Somna chuckled nervously, adjusting his glasses.

Dr. Somna: "Welcome, Bingo. And this must be Tuna"

Blitz: "Loona, yeah. And you can hurry up, please; she isn't a fan of shots. So, let's make this quick for all our sakes"

Dr. Somna: "Oho! Come now, it can't be that bad. I see hellhounds every day, and there hasn't been one that has caused any issues"

The doctor pulls out from behind him a comically large syringe, filled with a green liquid.

Loona immediately snarls with instinctive fear and lunges at him. Blitz quickly grabs the doctor by his collar and pulls him out of harm's way. Loona howls soon after.

Blitz: "Yep, right there. Told you, dipshit"

Andrealphus's Mansion:

The scene shifts to Andrealphus's mansion in the Pride Ring. Andrealphus and Stella sit together, having tea. Andrealphus gracefully drops several ice cubes into his drink, watching them swirl as he stirs.

Andrealphus: "So, about earlier. That assassin. Was that you?"

Stella responds with a mischievous grin, her voice lilting in amusement.

Stella: "Guilty as charged, darling"

Andrealphus: "You silly minx, you"

Andrealphus chuckles softly before taking a sip of his drink and continuing.

Andrealphus: "Although, you do realize, if your husband were to die, it wouldn't bode well for you"

Stella: "Why's that? He's no use to me alive"

Andrealphus looks at her with a hint of concern.

Andrealphus: "Because, my dear sister, you've already produced an heir. When he passes, everything- his duties, his possessions, his legions- will pass to... Via"

Stella absentmindedly continues drinking, seemingly unbothered by the revelation.

Andrealphus: "If you were to kill him, you'd..."

Stella interjects with a light laugh.

Stella: "Laugh? Ha-"

Andrealphus facepalms in frustration.

Andrealphus: "No, you stupid cow! You'd get nothing! Ugh... You're so lucky that you're attractive"

Stella: "Well, what do you suggest we do? He certainly won't bequeath me anything willingly; he hates me almost as much as I hate him"

Andrealphus: "Hmm. This situation is quite unique. A Goetia has never behaved like this before"

He rises from his seat and moves behind Stella.

Andrealphus: "But with him alive, we have options. Opportunities. An eternity's a long time, my dear. I say we bide our time and wait for our chance to... gain the upper hand"

Stella's expression softens into a pout.

Stella: "Oohhhhhh, but I want him dead so badly!"

Andrealphus: "And he will be, in time, my fiery vixen. But patience first, now..."

He hands her his phone with a sly smile.

Andrealphus: "Call off your mangy stray"

Back with Striker, his hideout was filled with an eerie silence, broken only by the sound of his deep, steady breaths. The scene shifted to Striker, a sinister grin spreading across his face as he stood before the battered form of Ben 23. Ben 23 slumped against a rock, his head bowed, his eyes obscured by his hair as blood trickled from a wound on his forehead, staining his clothes crimson.

Striker raised his arm, which was coated in red blood, to wipe the sweat from his brow.

Striker: "You break me, I break you. Seems fair, doesn't it?"

He muttered, his gaze shifting to his other wrist, where the skin appeared pale white. With a tight grip, he clenched his fist before opening it.

He then glanced back at Stolas, cracking his knuckles with a menacing air before striding toward him. However, Stolas remained motionless, showing no reaction to Striker's approach.

Striker: "Well, this has been fun, partner, but every good thing has to come to an end. And I would like to spend more time with the other, alone"

He whipped out his gun, twirling it between his fingers with professional skill before holding it inches from Stolas's head.

Striker: "Shame you won't see your kid again"

Striker's words hit a nerve, and he glared at him with anger.

Stolas: "Don't you dare breathe a word about my daughter"

Striker chuckled.

Striker: "Oh, finally hit a nerve, huh?"

Stolas's anger boiled over, and he threatened Striker with a fierce gaze.

Stolas: "I swear, if you go near her, I will destroy you"

Striker grasped Stolas' neck with his other hand, tightening his grip and cutting off his air supply, causing his injuries to worsen.

Striker: "Destroy me? I've defeated the undefeatable, killed the unlikable. You are nothing to me, nothing"

With a cruel flourish, Striker flipped the gun and struck Stolas on the forehead with the grip, sending him crashing to the ground with another thud.

Striker flipped the gun, aiming it once again at Stolas.

Striker: "Now you have two seconds to pick a God and pray!"

Striker's phone began to ring, interrupting his headshot, picking it up, he answered the call before bringing it to his ear.

Striker: "Hello?"

Stella: "Change of plans, darling. I need that prick alive"

Striker frowned, his gaze shifting between Stolas's and his gun.

Striker: "I'm kinda in the middle of killing him"

Stolas attempted to speak, but Striker used his tail to silence him.

Stella: "Well, stop it. We need him alive to tie up some loose ends. I'll pay you extra to spare him and bring him to us"

Striker's eyes flickered towards Stolas and then Ben 23, a maniacal grin spreading across his face.

Striker: "No"

Stella: "Wait, what?!"

Striker angrily threw his phone against a nearby rock, smashing it to pieces.

Stolas: "Oh, now you're disobeying your master?!"

Striker: "This isn't about the money anymore. It's about sending a message now"

Stolas managed to choke out a question amidst the pain and struggle.

Stolas: "What kind of message?"

Striker's grin widened as he leaned in closer to Stolas, his eyes burning with malice.

Striker: "The sort that makes them realize I am a force to be reckoned with, unstoppable. The kind that reminds everyone who is in charge"

Stolas's voice was barely a whisper, filled with disbelief and horror.

Stolas: "You're crazy"

Striker's grin only widened, a glint of madness flickering in his eyes as he leaned closer to Stolas.

Striker: "Crazy? Perhaps. But that's inconsequential. You're going to die alone, Stolas. There is only darkness awaiting you, and death for your people"

Suddenly, a rumble echoed through the hideout, followed by the sound of crumbling rock. The ceiling broke apart, debris and stones falling as the van, now equipped with wings from Upgrade, descended through the opening. Striker looked up, bewildered, as the van landed with a thud.

The door swung open, and Moxxie, perched on the edge, scanned the area until he locked eyes on Striker. Without hesitation, he pulled out his gun and began firing.

Striker dodged the bullets with surprising agility, his expression twisting from confusion to anger. The van's other door burst open as Millie jumped out, her knife at the ready. Striker quickly leaped behind a rock, still processing the surprise attack.

Striker: "How the fuck did you get here!"

Striker was able to let out before Moxxie targeted where he was hiding, the bullet chipping at his hiding place.

Meanwhile, the van shook lightly as Upgrade began compressing, reverting the van back to its original form. The liquid metal flowed to the ground, reforming into Upgrade's humanoid shape. Upgrade then slammed the Omnitrix, transforming back into Ben in a flash of green light.

Ben: "You could say crushing bad guys' plans is my specialty"

He quipped, stepping forward with a confident smirk.

Striker quickly whipped out his gun, aiming at Moxxie and firing a shot. Moxxie dodged away just in time, leaving Striker a chance to escape. He jumped out of the hideout, but his eyes widened in surprise when he saw Ben standing there, completely fine. Striker's gaze darted back and forth, realizing there were two Bens: one barely alive on the ground and one ready to kick his ass.

Striker: "What the...?"

Striker's mind raced as he tried to process the situation. He couldn't figure out how there were two Bens.

Ben: "Well, you wanted the real deal, huh? Well, here I am. Now, where are they?"

Striker smirked, quickly dismissing the other Ben as another person who just happened to look like Ben and also happened to possess a watch like his. Even though it didn't make sense, it was all he could come up with on the fly.

Ben looked past him and saw a figure lying on the ground. His eyes widened in horror as he noticed the blood pooling underneath. It was Ben 23.

Ben: "Oh my God..."

Millie and Moxxie followed Ben's gaze and gasped in horror. They immediately spotted the battered Ben 23 and Stolas, who was also in terrible condition but slightly more conscious.

Millie: "The other Ben. What did he do to you?!"

Moxxie: "This... this is sick!"

Ben's heart raced as he took in the scene. Striker stood there, still with his arrogant smile.

Striker: "See, I've been having a bit of fun with your friend here. Thought he was you. My mistake"

Ben's anger surged as he looked at Ben 23, barely clinging to life. He turned his gaze back to Striker, who was starting to sweat under the intensity of Ben's stare.

Ben: "You did this... to him... thinking it was me?"

Striker: "I was just doing my revenge. But it seems I've caught two Bens instead of one. Double the fun"

Ben's expression darkened, the horror of the situation fully sinking in. Ben 23 was hurt because of him, and Ben couldn't handle the revelation. He menacingly advanced, his fists clenched.

Ben: "You think this is fun? Torturing the kid because you thought it was me? You're a monster"

Ben, although still in his human form, made Striker visibly uneasy. He could sense that Ben could snap at any second, but his ego couldn't let him simply surrender, so he tried to maintain his composure.

Striker: "You think you could kill a God?! You're nothing compared to me!"

Ben gritted his teeth, his breath shallow from anger.

Ben: "I gave you a chance, Striker, gave you a slap on the wrist. Even you know I could easily spin your head around as if It was a twist-off"

Striker felt a chill run down his spine. He knew the truth in those words, but he tried to mask his fear. Every inch of his body was telling him to run, but he didn't. He took out his Angelic rifle, pointing it at Ben.

Striker: "Stay back. I'm warning you"

Ben's gaze was unwavering. He glanced at Ben 23 and Stolas, then back at Striker. The sheer determination and fury in his eyes made Striker take an involuntary step back, his grip on the rifle tightening.

Ben: "I'm not going to let you get away with this, Striker. Not this time"

Striker's confidence was waning, but he held his ground, desperate to maintain control over the situation.

Striker: "Think you can intimidate me? I'll show you what real power is"

Striker aimed his rifle, but the fear in his eyes betrayed his bravado. Ben's presence was overwhelming. Moxxie and Millie quickly stepped forward to help, but Ben lifted his hand, halting them. He glanced back at them, and although there was no exchange, they understood each other. Millie and Moxxie nodded, stepping back.

Striker quickly clicked the trigger as soon as Ben slammed the watch, but to his and Moxxie and Millie's surprise, Ben was nowhere to be seen as soon as the light died down.

Striker heard the sound of clinging heavy footsteps, making him aim his rifle at the sound and quickly shoot, only for the bullet to hit nothing. Striker paranoiacally glanced around, his grin shifting to a frown.

Striker: "Where are you, you coward?"

Suddenly, time seemed to slow. Striker's movements became sluggish, as if he were wading through molasses. From the shadows emerged Clockwork, a towering figure with a golden, robotic form. Gears whirred softly as Clockwork advanced with calculated precision.

Clockwork: "You like to toy with people, Striker? Let's see how you handle time itself"

As time returned to normal, Striker jumped in fear upon seeing Clockwork seemingly materialize out of nowhere.

Striker: "What... what are you?"

Clockwork slowly advanced, each step echoing with the weight of inevitability.

Clockwork: "I'm the end of your games, Striker. You think you can control everything with a gun and a cruel smile. But time is beyond your grasp"

Striker's eyes widened in terror. He tried to shoot again, but Clockwork waved a hand, and time slowed once more. The bullet moved through the air at a snail's pace, suspended in time.

Moxxie and Millie watched in surprise as, to them and Striker, Clockwork appeared to teleport from place to place at the speed of light.
Clockwork raised his hand, and time resumed its normal flow.

Clockwork: "You're a dead man, Striker. Why don't you accept it?"

Striker tried to run away, but Clockwork slowed time again. Striker felt the weight of time pressing down on him, his movements growing more labored with each passing second.

The two watched as Striker turned to run, only for Clockwork to appear beside him in an instant, rearing his hand before delivering a powerful blow that sent Striker crashing to the ground, the impact cracking the ground beneath him.

Clockwork raised his hand to confirm the kill, but before he could strike, Striker swiftly grabbed two angelic guns and opened fire on Clockwork.
Clockwork, momentarily caught off guard by the sudden attack, shielded his face as the bullets ricocheted off his metallic body. Striker seized the opportunity, jumping to his feet and keeping Clockwork at bay with a barrage of bullets.

Millie watched with concern, her brow furrowed in worry.

Millie: "Why doesn't Ben do what he did earlier and dodge?"

Moxxie's expression was grim as he shook his head.

Moxxie: "Don't you understand, Millie?"

She turned to him, puzzled.

Millie: "Understand what?"

Moxxie's gaze remained fixed on the battle unfolding before them.

Moxxie: "He's toying with him"

Millie's eyes widened in realization as she watched Clockwork's movements. She understood now that Ben was deliberately prolonging the fight, giving Striker false hope before delivering the final blow.

Striker's barrage of bullets came to a halt as the guns ran out of ammunition. He lifted the guns, glancing at them quickly with a raised eyebrow, before returning his gaze to Clockwork, who peered through his lifted arms.

Clockwork: "Oh, it's over already?"

Striker's heart sank, his courage faltering as he saw Clockwork effortlessly wave his arms around, causing the bullets that were stuck to him to come raining down.

Clockwork also took notice of Striker running out of bullets.

Clockwork: "Is that all you've got, Striker?"

Striker glanced at his empty guns, feeling a sense of dread creeping over him.

Clockwork: "Perfect"

Clockwork slammed down on his watch, engulfing himself in a bright green light. Striker shielded his eyes from the glare, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and anticipation. As the light subsided, Clockwork transformed into...

Kickin Hawk: "Kickin Hawk!"

Striker's gaze locked onto the towering alien, a wicked grin spreading across Kickin Hawk's face.

Kickin Hawk: "Kickin Hawk's my go-to for hand-to-hand combat... or should I say, foot-to-head combat. Ready to dance, Striker?"

Striker's nerves spiked as he faced him, his fists clutching before going for a sucker punch only for Kickin Hawk to effortlessly catch it, his grip firm and unyielding. Striker's heart sank as he realized his failed attempt.

Striker: "Oh no"

Kickin Hawk looked down at Striker's hand, still clasped within his own, before lifting his gaze to meet Striker's eyes with a mocking smile.

Kickin Hawk: "Feeling a sense of déjà vu, are we?"

Striker's stomach churned with dread as he braced himself for the bone-crunching sound, instead, he felt a powerful kick slam into his chest like a freight train, knocking the wind out of him and sending him crashing to his knees in agony.

Kickin Hawk: "Can't use the same trick twice, gotta keep things fresh"

Striker's jaw clenched as he lifted his head with a snarl, hatred burning in his eyes.

Striker: "You're... not getting away with this"

Kickin Hawk chuckled, his tone dripping with smugness.

Kickin Hawk: "Oh, I am getting away with it, and there's nothing you can do about it, nothing"

As Striker struggled to get up, Kickin
Hawk wasted no time. With a swift and powerful kick to his jaw, Striker was sent flying through the air. He hit the ground hard, rolling several times before finally coming to a halt, blood dripping from his mouth. He groaned in pain, struggling to push himself up, but finding it difficult to even move.

Kickin Hawk approached him, a menacing gleam in his eyes as he loomed over his fallen opponent.
Standing over Striker, a mocking smirk played on his beak as he watched the defeated assassin struggle to get up.

Kickin Hawk: "Come on, Striker. I'm right here. Didn't you want to fight me?"

Striker grunted in response, his attempts to rise met with failure as pain shot through his body.

Kickin Hawk: "How pitiful. The moment I got here, you folded so quickly. It's kind of pathetic, don't you think?"

Striker's jaw clenched in frustration as he struggled to even lift himself off the ground. His pride wounded, he could do nothing but glare up at Kickin Hawk, seething with anger and humiliation.

Kickin Hawk sarcastically knelt down, placing a hand over his ear as if listening intently.

Kickin Hawk: "Huh? What's that? There's still room in you for a fight?"

He then rose to his feet, a smirk playing on his beak.

Kickin Hawk: "Thank God, because I was just getting started"

Striker watched in horror as Kickin Hawk slapped the watch, and in a bright green light, Kickin Hawk's body became enveloped in bandages. Cracks appeared between them, and his body disappeared under the wrappings as they took on a more humanoid shape. Finally, a gold pharaoh's headdress appeared on his head as the light died down he transformed into...

Snare-Oh: "Snare-Oh"

Snare-Oh's cold, eerie voice echoed through the room as he taunted Striker, his eyes gleaming with malice.

Snare-Oh: "You thought you could toy with time and fate, but now you're at my mercy. You'll regret ever crossing paths with me"

With a flick of his wrist, Snare-Oh's hand expanded towards Striker, wrapping him tightly in his bandages. Striker struggled against the suffocating grasp, but Snare-Oh's strength was overwhelming.

Snare-Oh: "Consider this a lesson in humility"

With a sadistic grin, Snare-Oh lifted Striker into the air, his bandages constricting around him like a vice. Striker screamed in agony as Snare-Oh began to throw him around the room with brutal force. Each impact left Striker battered and broken, blood splattering against the walls and floor with sickening thuds.

Snare-Oh: "You'll be hospitalized for a couple of weeks, or maybe months. Either way, you won't be causing any more trouble"

With each toss, Striker's cries grew weaker, his body bruised and broken. Snare-Oh showed no mercy, reveling in the violence as he unleashed his wrath upon his helpless victim.

Snare-Oh examined Striker's unconscious body with a disappointed sigh, realizing he wouldn't get the satisfaction of breaking him psychologically.

Snare-Oh: "And here I thought I could shatter his mind by exposing him to the horrors beyond human comprehension with Alien X. Oh well, maybe next time"

He released his grip, allowing Striker's limp body to fall to the ground, a pool of black blood forming around him.

Snare-Oh then gestured for Moxxie and Millie to approach him as he moved towards the bodies of Stolas and Ben 23. As they drew closer, he instructed them to pay attention.

Snare-Oh: "Listen up. We need to act fast. We're going to need some of my own bandages, but first, we'll need to get Stolas and Ben 23 stabilized"

Moxxie and Millie nodded. Snare-Oh carefully cut pieces of his own bandages, watching as they slowly regenerated. Once he had enough, he motioned for Moxxie and Millie to start wrapping Stolas's injuries with the bandages.

Snare-Oh: "Use these bandages to wrap Stolas's wounds. We need to stop the bleeding and keep him stable until we can get him proper medical attention"

Moxxie/Millie: "Got it/You have it Benny"

Moxxie and Millie quickly followed Snare-Oh's instructions, carefully unwrapping the ropes that bound Stolas and then gently wrapping the bandages around his injured shoulder, leg, and forehead. Despite the severity of his wounds, Stolas remained unconscious, his breathing shallow and labored.

Snare-Oh observed their efforts, nodding in approval as they worked to stabilize Stolas's condition.

Snare-Oh: "Good job. Keep applying pressure to those wounds"

Snare-Oh swiftly returned to his human form and rushed to Ben 23's side. His shoes and pants turned crimson as soon as he kneeled down to quickly untie the ropes binding him, from the pool of blood under him, his fingers working deftly to free him.

As soon as Ben 23's body was untied, his hero watch shimmered with a blue light, the flickering and glitches ceasing.

"Returning online"

Ben glanced at Ben 23's wrist as it examined his body before chiming.

"The host body is in danger and a transformation is required"

Ben hastily stepped away as Ben 23's body was surrounded in blue light; as the dazzling blue light faded, Ben 23 transformed into...

Ben: "Mr. Mucky? Oh, man, I can't believe I said that"

Ben 23 failsafe turned him into his Methanosian form, and his still unconscious body slummed to the ground; this time, the injury in his body was covered by roots as they began to regenerate.

After finishing the patch-up on Stolas, both Moxxie and Millie turned to see Ben 23 transformed into a familiar alien.

Millie: "Isn't that the one you used when we took down Crimson's mansion?"

Moxxie: "Yeah, but he looks a bit different"

Ben: "Well, you see, it's because his Swampfire form didn't blossom yet"

Ben sensed the skeptical looks they were giving him.

Ben: "I mean, like, you know how plants mature and change? It's like that"

Millie and Moxxie exchanged skeptical looks before Millie finally spoke.

Millie: "Right, sure, we totally get it"

Ben sighed, realizing how ridiculous it sounded.

Suddenly, they hear Mr. Mucky slowly grunting in pain as he starts to wake up.

He slowly opens his eyes, the world around him a blur. The sounds of muffled voices and distant noises swirl together in a cacophony that makes his head throb. He tries to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washes over him, forcing him back onto the ground. His vision is still blurry, but he can make out the shapes of people moving around him. He tries to speak, but his voice is hoarse and barely audible.

He lays there, trying to process what is happening. His mind feels foggy, and his body feels heavy and numb. He can't remember how he got here or what happened before. Panic sets in as he struggles to regain his bearings.

Ben rushed to Mr. Mucky's side, gently helping him sit up.

Ben: "Hey, take it easy. You're going to be alright"

He reassured him, offering a supportive hand. Mr. Mucky blinked, trying to focus his blurry vision on Ben.

As Ben steadied Mr. Mucky, he turned to Moxxie and Millie.

Ben: "Alright, let's go"

He instructed, gesturing for them to leave. Moxxie carefully scooped Stolas to his feet, supporting him as they made their way out of the hideout, leaving the unconscious Striker behind.

With their exit, the hideout fell into an eerie silence, save for the occasional groan from Striker, left alone in the darkness.

Time Skip:

Sloth Ring Hospital:

As a group of reporters congregates outside St. An's, Blitz and Loona emerge, the former sporting bruises and scratches while the latter sports a cone around her neck and clutches a lollipop. Moxxie and Millie pull up to the front.

Blitz: "Oh, good. You guys actually managed to-"

A swarm of medical personnel and reporters tramples Blitz as they surge towards the van. Two Plague Doctors swing open the van door, and the scene switches to Millie's worried expression as Moxxie steps out of the van, cradling Stolas. He gently places him onto the stretcher. Blitz gets trampled again as they wheel Stolas inside, catching a passing glimpse of Stolas's tail feathers.

Moxxie: "Sir, are you alright?"

Blitz: "Oh, peachy. Yeah, no. Today has been wonderful..."

He gestures towards the hospital doors.

Blitz: "What the fuck was THAT about?"

Millie: "Stolas got hurt, bad"

Blitz looks shocked and worried.

Blitz: "Stolas got what? How?...he can get hurt?"

A defeated Loona slinks towards the van and collapses face-down in the back seat.

Meanwhile, inside Ben's room in the Hotel, Ben 23 recounted to Ben what Striker had done to him.

Ben 23: "And then he started yapping about how he's powerful and all, then started punching till I got knocked out...then... that's it, yeah"

Ben: "Got it"

Although Ben appeared composed on the outside, inwardly, he seethed with anger, contemplating how he should have inflicted even more harm on Striker for the pain he had caused his friend.

Ben: "But are you sure you want to get back now? I mean, even if the failsafe healed you physically, it can't mend you psychologically"

Ben 23 let out a heavy sigh, devoid of feeling, as a hand rubbed the thigh that had been pierced by a knife earlier.

Ben 23: "Look, I'm fine. I just want to go back home. I don't belong here, you feel me?"

Ben looked into Ben 23's empty eyes with an understanding expression.

Ben: "I know how you feel. Even if I can't return to my home, I'll try to help you. So, let's try to recreate what happened earlier"

Ben 23 sprang to his feet from Ben's bed, fingers deftly dialing the watch before slamming it down hard. Ben mirrored his actions, and together they were engulfed in a dazzling display of bright green and blue light as they transformed into their Chronosapiens forms.

Clockwork: "You ready?"

Windy-Hindy: "Absolutely"

The keys on their heads began to spin, gradually picking up speed until two beams shot out from their chests, intertwining. Blue energy surged across Clockwork's green beam as a blue crack started to form in the air. Slowly, the crack widened into a full-fledged portal, revealing a bustling cityscape on the other side.

Windy-Hindy leaped into the air with joy.

Windy-Hindy: "Holy smoke, it actually worked!"

Clockwork: "Told ya"

With a satisfied nod, Windy-Hindy's beam vanished as he strolled confidently toward the portal. Before stepping through, he glanced back at Clockwork, who waved.

Clockwork: "If my Azmuth or Paradox ask about me, tell them I'm here"

Windy-Hindy: "Will sure do"

With that, he stepped inside. As soon as he did, he was surrounded by news reporters and cheering crowds, thrilled to see their hero return from his disappearance. Clockwork smiled as he halted his beam, the portal reverting to cracks before disappearing entirely.

Outro:

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The chapter is 2598 words if you were curious!