CHAPTER 9: RECRUITMENT

We find ourselves in a place out of place. An endless dimension of vast space, populated with floating rock and the worst denizens of the galaxy. We speak of course of the place known as the Null Void. It is here that the next character in the story is introduced. Said individual is currently locked in battle with a 4 legged alien lifeform. He is humanoid in appearance with 4 small horns protruding from his forehead. He wears a red robe with a bare open chest and black pants. He wields a pronged power staff, which he uses to great effect to fend off his alien attacker.

Aggregor stabs forward with his staff, desperately trying to prod the weak spot of the creature. But the clawed beast is relentless, he moves forward despite the shocking energy blasts of the staff. Aggregor is pressed backwards, nearly to the precipice of a cliff. He swiftly jumps over the creature's head. Using his staff he presses up against the creature's neck, putting it into a choke hold. The creature flailed wildly, it's clawed appendages swung backwards until one of them found purchase in Aggregor's shoulder. The claw clamped down on his flesh and Aggregor let out a cry of pain. He reached over to grab the claw currently around his shoulder. But instead of trying to pry it off, Aggregor absorbed the DNA into his own hand which molded into a perfect replica of the claw. He used his newfound limb to crush his assailant's neck, squeezing and squeezing until finally the alien creature went limp.

They fall to the ground in a crash. Aggregor stands up and looks down at the beast with disdain. Without a further word he kicks the beast off the edge of the rocky asteroid. He walks tiredly over to a nearby rock and sets down. He pulls his robe off slightly to examine his wound. With a moment's concentration, the bloody gash begins to knit back together. In another few seconds, the wound is healed completely. As Aggregor replaces the robe, he hears a stranger's voice call out to him.

"Impressive display." The voice says. Aggregor looks up and sees the strange sight of a figure wrapped in a translucent shroud. His silhouette barely visible as the light passed through his form, refracting and bending like a prism. The figure's purple eyes stare at him impassively.

"Who are you?" Aggregor questioned.

"I am No One." The stranger replies. "You are the one known as Aggregor are you not?" No One asked. Aggregor stood up and postured threateningly.

"I am." He confirmed.

"Excellent, then you are the one I am searching for." No One said drawing closer. But Aggregor leveled his staff at the stranger.

"Come no closer. State your intentions." Aggregor demanded. No One stopped where he stood and held up a hand.

"I am here to offer you an opportunity." No One explained. "One which would allow you to leave this accursed place and get your revenge on Ben Tennyson." He stated. Aggregor narrowed his eyes, this seemed too good to be true. However, he did lower his staff nonetheless.

"I'm listening." Aggregor said.

"What if I told you I could lead you to the Demiurge Hammer?" No One asked. Aggregor raised an eyebrow.

"I'd say you're insane. The hammer is but a myth. I know, I've tried looking for it." Aggregor replied.

"I can assure you, it is most certainly real." No One replied.

"Why should I believe you?" Aggregor asked venomously.

"What else have you got to lose? I'm offering you a chance at escape and revenge. You'd be a fool not to take it." No One said. Suddenly, he waved his hand. In the distance a swirling portal appeared. Through the portal Aggregor could see a bustling space station, filled with aliens of all shape and size. The Osmosian stared at the portal for a long while, contemplating everything he was told. He approached No One and the portal, his mind still disbelieving. Finally he turned to No One and jabbed a finger towards him.

"If this is a trick, I swear I will destroy you." Aggregor asserted.

"No tricks, go to these coordinates and you will begin your quest." No One handed Aggregor a data disk. Aggregor took the device and gave one last look to the shadowy stranger before jumping through the portal.

After he jumped through the vortex, the portal disappeared. No One was left alone in the cold silent expanse of the Null Void. But with another wave of his hand a new portal was opened. This time, the sight beyond its event horizon appeared to be the dark cold space of the Anur system. No One stepped through the portal himself. He felt the familiar ripple of space and time pass over him as he switched between dimensions. In a matter of seconds he was deposited on the surface of Anur Transyl.

The dark sunless landscape of Anur Transyl stretched out before him. His next task might be the hardest to convince. He was also the only one on his list that truly concerned him. No One stalked forward swiftly. Soon he found himself in front of a decrepit ancient building. He opened wide the double wooden doors that served as the entrance to the castle, such as it was. No One stepped into the unlit interior of the building, his form adapting to the darkened halls. He stepped forward towards the end of the long hallway in front of him. He approached a large throne, sparsely lit by beams of moonlight.

Upon the throne, sitting curled up in a weakened position sat the villainous Ectonurite, Zs'Skayr, otherwise known as Ghostfreak. The ghost like alien's single eye barely opened as he detected the approaching figure. He gave a low hiss that raised in volume with each passing second. His tentacles began to unravel and slither across the stone seat. His head raised with a sickening clicking noise as he stretched his gaze to discern the intruder.

"Who dares disturb me?" He hissed threateningly. No One stepped forward into one of the moon beams, the light barely illuminating his translucent form.

"You may call me No One, oh great Ectonurite King." No One bowed

"And why do you presume to approach me?" Zs'Skayr asked.

"I have a proposition for you. One I think you'll find intriguing." No One explained.

"Speeeeeaaaaaak…" He groaned tiredly.

"I know how to find a powerful weapon that can be used to defeat Ben Tennyson." He said. Upon hearing that name Ghostfreak's eye widened with alarm. He shot out of his seat in the blink of an eye until he was face to face with No One.

"Never speak that name to me!" Ghostfreak screamed. No One seemed unmoved however. He calmly stared back into Ghostfreak's single eye. Zs'Skayr glared at the billowing shadow being, before floating back and beginning to circle him.

"And you offer me this knowledge why?" Ghostfreak asked menacingly as he continued to float around No One like a dog circling its prey.

"Because I am incapable of using said weapon, but I still wish to see… our mutual enemy destroyed." No One explained.

"And what is this so-called weapon that is powerful enough to defeat the likes of Ben 10?" Ghostfreak asked.

"The Demiurge Hammer." No One replied simply. Ghostfreak took a sharp breath.

"The Demiurge." He hissed. "So it is real." He whispered.

"It is real, and I know how to find it. All you have to do is follow the landmarks. They will lead you right to it. Here is the first clue." No One held up a data device and offered it to the Ectonurite. Ghostfreak floated closer and picked the device up with his clawed fingers. He brought it close to his face to inspect it. He hissed lowly and glared at the shadowy figure.

"Know this, I do not take lightly to being tricked. This better be worth my time or you'll find yours running out." Ghostfreak hissed. No One chuckled in response.

"I highly doubt that. I have nothing but time." No One replied. The shadowy figure turned and left out the way he came, leaving Zs'Skayr floating alone in his lair.

A/N: Missed last week's upload so I'll be posting two chapters to make up for it. Would appreciate any reviews.