CHAPTER 6:AS TIME PASSES

And so it was that Ben Tennyson departed Earth. None of his closest friends or confidants knew where he was going or when he would be back. They could only remain behind and hope it wouldn't be long. His grandfather Max Tennyson had eased tensions during the first days of Ben's absence. He had convinced Ben's cohorts that this trip would be good for the young man, that it was a sign of his growing maturity. But while that reassurance lasted them a while, it could not hold forever. Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, and before most had realized it, 3 years had passed. A whole 3 years without Ben. And whilst everyone could not help but to worry about him, their own lives progressed.

Gwen graduated from college, with honors. With her degree in xenopolitics she eventually ended up as one of the official liaisons between the Plumbers and the United Nations. With the world at large having finally accepted, and for the most part, welcoming its alien neighbors. Her job kept her extremely busy, especially as the UN was in the midst of deliberating signing onto the Plumbers galactic Milky Way treaty. But there were still days when she found time to kick evil doers butts. Such as she was currently doing.

Gwen hid behind the corner of a building, her breathing heavy. She peeked around the corner only to duck back quickly, avoiding a burst of slime which impacted against the opposite building. She watched with morbid curiosity as the pile of goo began to eat through the brick and mortar upon which it laid. Gwen made a face of disgust and turned back to the source with a shield at the ready. Running out to the street she fired off a few bolts of magenta energy. The bolts flew through the air until they impacted with their target: A giant mutant four eyed toad. The impacts barely seemed to faze the creature.

Meanwhile atop its head sat a green skinned elderly man, his white hair flowing down along his upper back. Atop his head sat two metallic antennae and nestled between them a glass dome encasing a brain. He wore a brown tank top and cargo pants. His body was decked out with a myriad of mechanical devices. On his hands he wore large metallic gauntlets with clawed fingers and a central green light in the palms. On his back he wore a large mechanical back pack with large jet propelled wings. It was their old enemy, Dr. Animo.

"Haha foolish beings! You are all beneath me. None of you can stop the might of my intellect and my menagerie of mutant creatures!" Animo exclaimed cockily. Gwen hid behind a mailbox across the street. But her cover was blown as an enormous 2 headed naked mole rat creature bared down on her. She barely had time to react before a blur of steely grey flew past her. Kevin delivered a fast uppercut to the creature, knocking it backwards onto its back and rendering it unconscious.

Kevin dropped his steel exterior. His normal sleeveless leather vest and denim outfit coming back into view. In the 3 years since Ben's absence, Kevin hadn't changed much appearance wise. However, he had become more of an entrepreneur in the time since. Unlike his girlfriend Gwen, Kevin preferred to keep his business low key. Being an ex con wasn't something he was proud of, but nonetheless he had made the best of his situation. He had transformed his auto shop business into an all-encompassing machinery and technology trading hub. He handled procurement of specialized machinery and vehicle mods for his on earth clients as well as whatever level 2 alien technology he was allowed to sell on earth. Off planet however he had more freedom to trade and sell more advanced alien technology. He had even managed to hire and convince his old fencing buddy Argit into going straight. For all intents and purposes his business was legitimate and lucrative.

Kevin bent down to offer his hand to Gwen who took it graciously. At the same time, he brushed the asphalt beneath them to morph his skin again. The duo faced off against Animo's giant toad with determination. Animo cackled from atop his mount, his head thrown back in laughter.

"Hahaha, do you side show rejects really think you can beat me? Without your precious Ben 10 by your side, my victory is finally assured!" He gloated. Kevin scoffed from down on the ground.

"Look around Animoron, all your creatures are toast." Kevin shouted. For the first time, Animo took in the surroundings of the urban battlefield. Across the roads and intersections his mutant creations laid beaten and unconscious. Animo stood up in shock and anger. He clenched his clawed fists in frustration.

"Grr, you twerps may have defeated my menagerie this time. But I swear by the name Aloysius Animo, I shall return and have my ultimate vengeance!" With that exclamation the wings on Animo's back unfurled. The rocket packs lit up with fire and Animo took to the skies. He hovered in the air and pointed down at the pair one last time. "You will all rue the day you crossed swords with the master of mutation!" Animo taunted. He began to fly off but before he could make it too far he was taken by surprise when a metallic cable shot up from below and wrapped around his body. His balance thrown off by the restraint he came crashing down onto a nearby rooftop. As he opened his eyes after his impromptu crash landing he looked up and saw the form of an alien holding the weapon attached to his cable.

"Aloysius Animo, by the authority vested in me by the Plumbers, I am placing you under arrest!" Rook Blonko said authoritatively. Animo groaned as he fell unconscious. Rook released the cable from his proto-tool and took out a pair of energy cuffs. He then proceeded to restrain Animo before he could wake up again.

Although Rook had been one of those most impacted by Ben's disappearance, his steadfast dedication to the plumbers never waned. He had managed to climb the ranks quickly, attaining the rank of Magister in a matter of years. Although with his rank he could be comfortably doing administrative work, Rook always preferred field work to desk work. As such when the call went out that Animo was back in business, he was the first to arrive on the scene. He was also the one to enlist the help of Gwen and Kevin in fighting one of Ben's old enemies. With Animo sufficiently defeated, Rook carried the prisoner down to street level. There he met back up with his cohorts.

"Excellent work you two, a thousand thanks for your assistance." Rook said with a smile.

"Eh no problem Rookie." Kevin teased. Rook's smile faltered as he heard the unfavored nickname. No matter how many times he had corrected Kevin he still insisted on using it. Rook supposed it was one of those strange earthling customs that he would just have to bear with.

"Now all that's left is to take Animo into custody. Let me contact Magister Tennyson." Rook spoke. He took out his communicator and opened the proper channel. "Come in Magister Tennyson." Rook spoke. In a moment Max Tennyson's face appeared on screen.

Max's appearance had changed very little in the last 3 years. He still wore his trademark Hawaiian shirt. Even though he was officially retired, again, he still worked with the plumbers. Only he was officially a consultant on the books. Yet despite his status on paper, his name still carried tremendous respect and prestige amongst the plumber organization. Such he was not surprised when Rook referred to him as his previous rank of Magister.

"Hey guys, I'm assuming the mission went well?" Max spoke. Gwen crowded her way to make herself visible on his side of the monitor.

"Hi Grandpa! Mission went smoothly. As usual Animo wasn't much of a challenge." Gwen said.

"That's good to hear!" Max replied.

"Although I do have to wonder…" Rook mused. "What made Dr. Animo act now? As I recall he's been quiet for the last several years with little activity. What changed?" He asked. The sound of keys clicking came through the communicator.

"Well according to his bank records, Animo recently received a massive payday. Although who's to say where it came from." Max answered.

"I guess it's true what they say. Money really does make you do crazy stuff." Kevin spoke.

"You would know." Gwen retorted snarkily. Kevin had the gall to look a little sheepish.

"Guilty as charged." Kevin said while rubbing the back of his head.

In a few more minutes, Rook had Animo restrained in his Proto-Truck, ready for transport. He approached Gwen and Kevin to say his goodbyes.

"Thanks again for your assistance you two." Rook said. Gwen and Kevin nodded. "It's a shame Ben was not here. I think he would have greatly enjoyed the kicking of Animo's butt." He said with a chuckle. At the mention of Ben's name, the smiles faltered from both Gwen and Kevin's faces. It had been 3 years without any word from Ben. Although deep down they had faith in their friend, there would always be a stronger part of them that missed and worried for Ben. Upon noticing their reaction Rook attempted to apologize.

"Forgive me. I was only trying to make light of the situation." Rook spoke with his head hung low in apology.

"It's not your fault Rook." Gwen replied, placing a hand on the blue alien's shoulder. "I'm sure Ben would have enjoyed it as well. It's just, hard you know. With him being gone for so long." Gwen said with melancholy.

"When he gets back you better believe I'm going to give him a big old knuckle sandwich." Kevin said slapping his fist into his palm. Gwen rolled her eyes at Kevin's antics.

"Take care Rook. And if you ever need help again don't hesitate to reach out." Gwen said. Rook nodded at both of them. Then he turned back to his vehicle and rode off into the sky.

Elsewhere, deep in space. We find ourselves aboard a large wheel shaped space station. The deep space prison complex known as the Incarcecon. The interior of it's outer wheel was lined with dozens upon dozens of cells. Behind barriers of blue plasmatic energy resided the worst of the worst criminals in the galaxy. Many of whom were serving life sentences and who were too dangerous to be held elsewhere. Although there was a general public population of felons there were also of course those rare criminals who ended up in solitary isolation. It is in one such hall that we find the subject of our next scene.

Vilgax sat alone inside his solitary prison cell. He had spent 3 long years in this accursed captivity. True to its advertising, the Incarcecon was nigh inescapable. Vilgax had tried multiple times. He had once been nearly successful, having rallied the general population into a full-scale riot. But his attempt had failed, and afterwards they had sentenced him to stay isolated from any of the other prisoners. However, despite his desolate circumstances, Vilgax continued to plot. Mostly his machinations dealt with how he would take revenge on the one who put him here. That frustrating thorn in his side named Ben Tennyson. But before he could take revenge on Ben, he would have to escape. However, that was simply a matter of waiting for the right opportunity. And Vilgax had plenty of time and patience to wait. Luckily for the alien warlord, he would not have to wait much longer.

As Vilgax sat quietly in his cell, his thoughts were interrupted by the blaring of sirens and flashing red lights. Something was going on that put the whole prison on alert. Before he could ponder what was going on, he felt an explosion rock the station. He nearly lost his balance as the space station rocked to the side. Several smaller explosions sounded out throughout the prison. Strangely the explosions seemed to be getting closer and closer to his location. At last the double steel reinforced doors to his solitary hallway burst open. A cloud of smoke bellowed in from behind the destroyed doors. Vilgax squinted from behind his blue tinted energy wall, attempting to see through the smoke.

Emerging from the hazy cloud of smoke was a humanoid figure. The mysterious stranger stepped forward toward Vilgax's cell. As he stepped into the light Vilgax realized that he could not make out any features of the figure. His silhouette was transparent but the light bended and refracted through him and gave him only the vaguest hint of a figure. The only other distinguishing feature on the person was his glowing purple eyes. The figure stopped in front of Vilgax's cell and stared up at the taller alien. A thickness filled the air despite the blaring sirens and flashing red lights.

"Am I supposed to ask who you are?" Vilgax spoke rhetorically. Without responding the mysterious figure reached up beside the cell and placed his hand on the panel. In a second the blue forcefield shimmered and then dissipated. Vilgax stepped out from his cell and stood in front of the figure.

"I will only ask this once." Vilgax spoke in a threatening tone. "Who are you and why have you freed me?" He asked bearing down on him.

"Who I am is of no importance." The figure spoke in a dry dark voice. "Why I freed you is simple. I seek the destruction of a certain individual, one who I am sure you are intimately familiar with." He said.

"Ben Tennyson." Vilgax replied knowingly. "Then know this, I am no one's lapdog. Vilgax does as he pleases." Vilgax spoke and began to walk past the fractal figure.

"Then I am sure you would be pleased to hear of the information I have to offer." He said turning around to face Vilgax's back. The alien warlord paused his stride. He turned his head over his shoulder.

"What information could you possibly provide me that would be worth my time?" He asked insultingly.

"The location of the Demiurge Hammer." The stranger said simply. Vilgax's eyes widened. He turned around to face the mysterious figure and took a step closer to him.

"You know the location of the Demiurge?" Vilgax asked skeptically.

"I know where to start looking. All you must do is follow the trail." Vilgax raised his arm in irritation. He swung at the figure only to find his arm passed through the translucent form of his body.

"You lie then." Vilgax accused.

"No, the road to the Demiurge Hammer is fraught with peril. You cannot reach it unless you pass through the correct journey." The figure said.

"If you indeed know the path, then why not simply attain the hammer for yourself?" Vilgax accused.

"I am a non-corporeal being. I exist in a dimension above this one and am unable to interact with your matter. Besides, I have no interest in ruling this existence, only in seeing Ben Tennyson destroyed." The figure spoke.

"Then in exchange for destroying Tennyson you will tell me the location of the Hammer?" Vilgax asked suspiciously.

"No, I want for you to use the hammer to destroy Tennyson." The shadowy being clarified.

"Hahaha, you are either too stupid or too foolhardy to think you can trick the mighty Vilgax. But I accept your proposal. Now tell me where I can find the hammer." Vilgax spoke.