It's Hero Time

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"Man, I'm toast..."

No-Watch Ben groaned, rubbing his temples. Looking at Ben Prime, he asked, "So, what's the deal with these watches that turn you into superpowered monsters?"

"Aliens," Ben Prime corrected.

Seeing No-Watch Ben's still-confused expression, Ben Prime felt déjà vu. He had answered this exact question before—to someone who looked exactly like him.

With a smirk, Ben Prime said, "I can't tell you too much, but it's the greatest thing that's ever happened to me."

No-Watch Ben, looking lost, gazed up at the sky. "I always knew there was something special out there for me… something bigger."

Ben Prime felt déjà vu again, seeing that same wistful look. Before he could respond—

Clink.

A grenade landed right behind No-Watch Ben.

"Watch out!" Ben Prime yelled, shoving him to the ground.

BOOM!

Through the smoke, a man in futuristic armor strode forward. Without hesitation, he shoved Ben Prime aside.

"You're not the one I'm looking for," he muttered.

His gaze locked onto No-Watch Ben.

"But you are. The one without the Omnitrix."

A blade extended from his wrist as he continued, "Hard to find. Easy to eliminate."

No-Watch Ben barely dodged the first strike and tried to run, but the man fired a laser blast, cutting off his escape.

Ben Prime pushed himself up, narrowing his eyes. "I knew it had to be you, Eon. You're not getting him!"

He slammed his Omnitrix and transformed into Wildmutt, leaping at Eon.

"Find somewhere safe!" he called back.

No-Watch Ben didn't hesitate. He turned and sprinted away.

---

Alleyway Behind the Base

Panting, No-Watch Ben ducked behind a building. "This is insane—"

Before he could finish, a massive energy blast struck the ground nearby, sending him flying through the air.

He hit the pavement hard, groaning as he looked up—

Through the smoke, a towering figure emerged.

Squid-face— No. Vilgax.

His glowing red eyes locked onto No-Watch Ben.

"Fear me, Ben Tennyson."

No-Watch Ben blinked. "You're... another me?"

Vilgax let out a booming laugh. "Hah! Do not flatter yourself. For over a decade, that whelp has prevented me from commanding an army of Omnitrix-wielding warriors. But no longer."

No-Watch Ben smirked. "A decade? Sounds like that whelp has been a little too much for you to handle."

Vilgax's eyes narrowed. "Ah… as quippy as the others, I see."

He raised his massive sword, ready to strike—

GROWL!

Wildmutt/Ben Prime leapt in front of No-Watch Ben, baring his fangs.

"Sorry I'm late!"

In a blur, XLR8 skidded to a stop beside them.

"I, uh, got a little lost. Forgot this wasn't my Earth."

Eon, still standing, turned toward Vilgax. "Don't lump me in with them."

No-Watch Ben squinted. "Wait… you're a me too?"

Vilgax let out a dark chuckle. "Eon has merely been assisting me in collecting every Ben Tennyson across the multiverse. Whisking them away from their timelines."

As he spoke, more versions of Ben appeared, stepping out of the shadows—each one darker than the last.

"To mentor them. To mold them," Vilgax continued. "Why settle for the Omnitrix… when I can control both the watch and its wearer? Why have one Omnitrix when I can command all of them?"

No-Watch Ben swallowed hard. "Then… why do you want me? I don't even have an Omnitrix."

Eon smirked. "Because your universe is the only one without an Omnitrix. That makes you an unpredictable wildcard."

The evil Bens moved forward, surrounding them.

Vilgax's eyes gleamed. "And in my future, there is no place for wildcards."

---

Showdown

No-Watch Ben stared at the alternate versions of himself. "So many evil me's..."

"Evil is relative," Bad Ben muttered.

"Not to mention offensive," Albedo scoffed.

Mad Ben, his Australian accent thick, cracked his knuckles. "Don't care what he calls me."

Nega Ben, disinterested, rolled his eyes. "Pfft. Lame."

Eon smirked. "It wasn't easy, gathering all these Bens across the multiverse. But, fortunately… we had plenty of time."

Vilgax raised his blade. "Time… that you do not have."

Albedo smirked. "Give up, Bens. There are six of us and only three of you. One doesn't even have an Omnitrix."

Benzaro cracked his knuckles. "Ben… smash."

The evil Bens lunged—

But before they could strike, a bolt of lightning crashed into the ground, shaking the battlefield.

A swirling white-blue portal opened in the air.

Through it, Ben 10K came flying out. Midair, he crossed his arms and slammed his Omnitrix.

"Fourmungousaur!"

He landed with a thud, transformed into a fusion of Humungousaur and Four Arms, and punched the ground, sending a shockwave that blasted the evil Bens backward.

A familiar voice echoed through the portal.

"As an old friend used to say… it's hero time."

Professor Paradox stepped through, smiling.

Following him, Ben 23 and Gwen 10 emerged.

Ben 23 grinned. "Prepare to meet… Building Blocks Guy!" He slammed his Omnitrix and transformed into Blocks.

Gwen 10 activated her own Omnitrix, transforming into Wildvine.

The evil Bens recovered and activated their own Omnitrixes:

Mad Ben → Rath

Albedo → Ultimate Spider-Monkey

Benzaro → Mummy

Nega Ben → Gutrot

Bad Ben → Gravattack

Gravattack's gravity powers launched Fourmungousaur and Blocks into the air.

Wildvine cracked her vines like whips, striking at Gravattack, but he dodged.

Gutrot/Emo Ben released a toxic gas cloud, forcing No-Watch Ben and Ben Prime to back away.

Blocks quickly constructed a wall of solid cubes, blocking the gas.

Ben Prime and XLR8 detransformed back into humans.

"Run and hide!" Ben Prime ordered.

No-Watch Ben clenched his fists. "I don't want to run or hide—I want to help!"

XLR8 stepped forward, gripping his shoulders. "You can help—by not making yourself an easy target."

Looking him in the eyes, XLR8 said, "Don't worry—we got this. We're heroes, remember?"

He gave him a small push. "Now go. Stay clear, keep your head down."

As No-Watch Ben hesitated, the battle raged on around him.

And for the first time… he realized just how big this fight really was.

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