“You have no idea how good it feels to be away from that place...” Jason said with a shiver as he sat with the girls, who were all staring at Sonata, the poor siren.
“I thought you enjoyed it?” Twilight asked, raising her eyebrow.
“I enjoyed some of it,” he replied, taking a long sip of his mead, “But you try being stuck in the uncanny valley for a few days. It ain’t fun.” He shivered a little.
“Oh yes, that place is rather dreadful,” another male voice cut in. Several pairs of eyes turned to the source, with Jason letting out a sigh.
“Whaddaya want Paradox?” Jason asked with a sigh, running his hand down his face.
“I am sorry for the intrusion but, Ben is in need of some help,” Paradox said, checking his watch.
“Which Ben? Mine or yours?” Jason asked, giving Paradox a small glare.
“Both,” the time walker replied, putting his watch away. “The choice is yours but we haven’t much time, I have other appointments to keep.”
Jason sighed, getting up. “Alright, I’ll help... I still owe you for the Azmuth thing.”
“Excellent!” Paradox said, now standing next to Jason. “And now, we must be off.” He waved to the girls before the two left the room and vanished.
“Ugh, another boring day,” Ben whined as he sat upside down on Twilight’s couch. He watched as his friend and sisters were going over a political meeting of some kind that was coming up. He was only there because Tia and Lulu felt that he needed to be re-involved in the state of the world. Especially with Fear still running about.
As if to answer him, a swirling blue vortex opened up. From it walked Jason and Professor Paradox.
“Hello Ben!” Paradox said, giving him a smile. “I see you’ve been doing well.”
“Sup Ben?” Jason asked, still looking rather clean from the wedding.
“Jason? Paradox?! What the what?” Ben said as he sat up from the couch.
“Oh, hello Jason!” Twilight said with a wave. “You’re not going to be rude this time are you?”
“I’m working on it. Also, tree castle beats crystal castle, seriously,” he said, looking around. He then turned to Ben. “You busy?”
“Our brother is currently being indoctrinated into the working modern world of politics,” Luna said. “Also, who the hay are you?”
“Mind your language, sister,” Celestia chided. “Though she does have a point. While it is nice to see you again, Professor, your friend is unknown to us.”
“I’ve been here before. Name’s Jason, newly appointed god. Don’t ask, it’s a long story,” Jason said, shaking his head.
“I’ll tell you all about it later, Princess,” Paradox said, turning to Ben. “For now, we need young Ben’s assistance.”
“Aw, do I have to?” Ben whined. “That sounds like work!”
“Ben! Your friends are asking for help. It would be rude and unfriendly for you to refuse,” Twilight explained to him.
“Ugh, fine!”
“Wow, your Twilight is bossy.” Jason said, giving the alicorn a raised eyebrow.
“Watch yourself, Mr. Hughes. You’re in my home, after all.”
“Am I?” he asked, fading away. “Or am I here at all?” he whispered into her ear, having appeared beside her.
“EEK!!” Twilight fired a magic bolt at Jason, striking him... in a very unfortunate place.
The image faded away. With a smirk on his face, Jason reappeared sitting next to Ben. “I love doing that.”
“Yeah, ya keep it up and you two are on your own,” Ben said with a glare. “Don’t mess with my friends. Especially not with what’s happened around here lately.”
“Geez, relax, it’s just some harmless trolling. You act like I’m gonna beat her up and take her lunch money.”
“I don’t take too kindly to those messing with a distraught mother.”
“...Why does that always happen to me?” Jason said with a sigh. “It’s always the worst time to do anything.”
“If I may cut into the banter, we have a schedule to keep,” Paradox cut in. “Are you ready Ben?”
“Hold on a sec, gotta let you know who know I’m leaving.” Ben got up and let out a loud whistle.
“What?” Jason asked, tilting his head a little to the side.
Ben sighed and said, “Wait for it.” A moment later, Ben was tackled by a mint green blur. Jason blinked and saw Lyra hugging Ben closely.
“D’aww, thats adorable,” Jason said with a smile. “I see you two worked it out.”
“Nope,” he said as he pried the mare from his face.
“You called, my Benny boop?” Lyra asked with a bright smile.
“Benny boop?” he questioned.
“Yep!” Then she booped his nose. “Boop!” Lyra giggled to herself as Ben rolled his eyes.
“Crazy mare. Anyway, I’m going to be leaving for a bit, so please don’t tear apart the castle... again.”
“Oh. Okay!” Lyra leaned in and kissed his nose. “Have fun!” Ben set her down and the unicorn cantered out with a smile.
“Freaky stalker mare,” Ben sighed.
“You should give her a chance, worked for me and Chrysalis,” Jason said, standing back up.
“Screw that noise,” he said with a laugh. “Me? Dating a pony? Yeah, not happening.”
“And what would be wrong with dating ponies?” questioned a set of three voices that sent chills down Ben’s spine. Celestia, Luna, and Twilight were all glaring at him, very unamused.
Ben gulped. “Well… gottagoseeyabye!!” He ran over to Paradox and whisper-yelled, “Get me out of here!!”
“Right on time,” Paradox said with a smirk as the three men vanished into another blue portal.
The three reappeared in a very run down looking building with its front wall missing. Standing in front of the three were two Ben Tennysons, one without his coat and the other with his coat but looking very confused.
“Hey, another me!” Ben Prime said looking at Ben. “Though... I have no idea who you are...” he said looking at Jason.
“I’m not you, ya pretentious prick,” Ben snipped. “I just look like you when, in fact, I’m much better.”
“Ben,” Paradox said, looking at Ben Prime. “These young men are beings known as Displaced. In their universes, you and your world were nothing but a cartoon.”
“Wait, what?” Ben Prime asked, rather confused. “Then why do they have Omnitricies?”
“Well, it’s a rather long story, but suffice it to say, they ended up in different universes with them, though young Ben here got your form as well.”
“To be fair, I pretty much always looked like this,” Ben said with a shrug. “I’m just that good.”
“God you're cocky,” Jason said, rolling his eyes. “I’m Jason, Prince of Equestria, nice to meet you two.”
Ben rolled his eyes. “Shut up, Jason. I’m Ben Ten, or at least that’s what I go by, son of Poseidon.”
“Are you two done?” Paradox asked, giving the two Displaced a look.
“Wait,” Ben Prime cut in. “What kind of place is called Equestria? That just sounds lame.”
“Oi!” Ben called out. “Watch it! My home is called Equestria too and I’m not gonna let you of all people bad mouth the place that’s been my home for the past five millennia!”
“Enough!” Paradox said, slamming his cane into the ground. “We are here to protect Ben, not so you three can have a watch measuring contest.”
“Hey, you brought me here, Paradox,” Ben said, pointing at the professor. “You came to me, knowing well enough how I feel about humans. This is on you.”
“To be fair, I’ve mostly got jotun blood,” Jason said with a shrug.
Paradox sighed, running his hand down his face. “Can we please stay on topic?”
“What is the topic?! What on Earth is going on around here?!” shouted the Ben that was wearing his jacket. “None of you are making any sense!”
“If you give us a moment.” Paradox said, looking at the other three humans. “Can I explain, or would you three like to continue arguing for the sake of arguing?”
“Go ahead,” Jason said, leaning against a wall.
“Better do it before I lose interest,” Ben said with a deadpan.
“Thank you.” Paradox said, clearing his throat. “To make a complicated idea simple, there are an infinite number of universes and an infinite number of you, Ben,” he said looking at the coat-wearing Ben. “Someone has been going through the timelines, kidnapping various Bens.”
“What? So... these are all me?” He did not look any less confused.
“Not these two,” Paradox said, gesturing to the Displaced. “In their universes you were nothing but a cartoon character, but we’re not here about them. You see, you are the only Ben Tennyson not to encounter the Omnitrix. That makes you special and it’s the reason you're being targeted.”
“Targeted by who?! And for what? I’m not special! I’m just a high school student!”
“I haven’t the foggiest but I’m off to find out,” Paradox said, looking rather determined.
“If someone is travelling through time to kidnap Bens, it has to be Eon,” Ben Prime spoke up, causing Jason to groan.
“His tracks are covered too well,” Paradox started, “If Eon is involved, someone else is the mastermind.” A portal opened up behind him. “Keep Ben safe.”
“I’ll protect him like he was my own... me.” Ben Prime said, giving Paradox a smile.
“Levity and humor, excellent,” Paradox said, walking toward the portal. “Get it out of your system now,” he said, looking back at them. “If I’m right, there won’t be any opportunity for it later.” With that he disappeared into the portal.
“That guy is way too vague,” Jason said with a sigh. “So... what do we do now?”
“So... what is Equestria like?” Ben Prime asked. “I’ve never heard about it before.”
“It’s a planet full of colorful ponies that have total control over the sun and moon and live in harmony with other creatures right of greek mythology,” Ben summed up.
“Mine’s Asgard after Ragnarok,” Jason added, putting his hands behind his head.
“Wait... your worlds are full of talking, colorful ponies?” Ben Prime asked before bursting into laughter.
“...Why did we agree to help this guy?” Jason asked, glaring at Ben Prime.
“I wouldn’t have if I’d known,” Ben said as he slumped against the wall. “So you know, those ponies are like family to me, so watch it. I’m not against letting out Rath to kick your butt. I’m not in the mood.”
“You're taking this rather well,” Jason said, looking at Watchless Ben. “This probably all sounds insane to you...”
“I’m still hoping this is a dream,” Watchless Ben sighed. “But when it kicks in, no doubt I’m gonna have a major freak out.”
“You should try being a Displaced, I think me and Ben can agree, our lives are filled with this crap, a lot of it actually...” he said with a sigh. “Wouldn’t change it for the world though.”
“All I know is I’m getting too old for this,” Ben sighed. “Look kid, the faster you come to terms with this, the easier it’s gonna be when ya freak.”
“You’re a big ball of sunshine, aren’t ya?”
“Shut up before I decide I’m not gonna help anymore.”
“Ignore him, he’s a bit of a misanthrope,” Jason explained before a purple colored object was tossed into the room.
“Get down!” Ben Prime shouted, tackling Watchless Ben to the ground as the object exploded.
Ben shot to his feet, pulling out his Proto Sword. “Let’s get this over with.”
Eon strode in rather cockily, knocking Ben Prime away. “You're not the one I want, you are.” he said moving closer to Watchless. “The one without a-”
“Flare!” Jason shouted, firing off a ball of fire that slammed into Eon, exploding on contact. The force of the explosion threw Eon out of the building. “You should get out of here.” Jason said, looking at Watchless.
“I got him!” Ben shouted as he grabbed Watchless’ hand. “Come on!”
“Gah!! This is so weird!!”
“Shut up and move!”
“I hate Eon...” Ben Prime said as he got to his feet. He shifted into Wildmutt, running after Eon.
“Yeah, so do I,” Jason said, shaking his head. He shifted into Four Arms, following after him.
Ben tried his best to keep his cool with the screaming teenager running in front of him, but it was quickly wavering. After about a whole minute, he had to put a stop to it. Ben grabbed Watchless Ben and shoved him into the nearest building.
“Alright, kid, it’s time for you to shape up. The more you scream, the worse off we’re gonna be.”
“Are you out of your mind?!” he shouted back. “We’re being chased by monster me’s! Do you have any idea what I’m going through?!”
“You think you have it bad,” Ben growled. “You’ve only just begun to see the weird crap I go through daily. Now quit your whining and stay focused on keeping alive.”
Before Watchless could respond a red energy blast was fired at them, exploding at their feet and sending them flying out of the alley. Out of the smoke walked Vilgax, glaring at them. “Fear me, Ben Tennyson.”
“I’m not Tennyson!” Ben yelled as he fired an energy arrow at the creature. Vilgax sneered, knocking the arrow away.
“You look like him to me, whelp.” Vilgax sneered again. “For over a decade that little pest has stood between me and conquering the universe.”
“Yeah, well I’m not him. I’m Ben Ten, defender of Equestria and hero of the gods! Now back off, calamari face!” Ben fired another arrow, missing Vilgax’s face. Wildmutt jumped in, standing protectively in front of Watchless.
“As quippy as the other Tennysons, I see.”
“Don’t lump me in with them,” Eon scolded, moving over to Vilgax.
“Wait, you're a me too?” Watchless asked, looking at Eon.
“Eon has merely been helping me to collect Ben Tennysons all throughout the multiverse, whisking them out of their timelines to mentor them and mold them. Why settle for the Omnitrix when I could possess the watch and it’s wearer, not just one. I can control every Omnitrix by controlling every Ben who wields one!” Behind them, several other Bens appeared, as well as Albedo.
“Yeah... you wouldn’t control me and Ben here,” Jason said, walking over to stand next to Ben.
“Not like it matters, you have all the same aliens as us,” Mad Ben said with an Australian accent, his clothes torn and covered in spikes.
“Heh, actually you’d be wrong there.” Jason said, turning to Ben. “How about we give them a little slice of home, hmm?”
Ben gave an evil smirk. “Let’s do it. Going hero!” He lifted up his watch and slammed down the core. In a flash, a large dragon appeared. “Snarl!!”
With a call of, “Omnitrix, Requiem,” Jason did the same, shifting into his siren form. He sucked in a large breath before letting it out as a sonic blast, sending them all flying backward.
Benzarro, a strange deformed version of Ben, got to his feet, snarling. “Ben smash!” he shouted as the other evil Bens got to their feet, all of them rushing at the four. With a bolt of light, a portal opened, a figure launching out of the air.
“Fourmungousaur!” yelled Ben 10,000, transforming into a giant four-armed Vaxasaurian with a nice mustache and beard. He came down hard, sending the evil Bens back from the shockwave.
“Did you know he could do that?” Jason asked Ben.
“Nope, never got to finish Omniverse.” Ben moved over to Watchless Ben. “Get on. We’re getting you outta here.”
“Wait, what?!” But Ben wasn’t in the mood for complaints, grabbing the watchless teenager and placing him on the back of his neck. Watchless let out a terrified scream as Snarl took off into the sky, high above the battle beginning to form below.
Paradox looked on with a smirk, “As an old friend used to say, its hero time!” as behind him two more figures exited the portal.
“Alright, hater-Bens,” said Ben 23, “Get ready to meet Build-A-Guy!” In blue flash, a blue version of Bloxx appeared. Beside him, a ginger haired girl used her own Omnitrix to turn into Wildvine.
In response, Mad Ben shifted into Rath, Albedo became Ultimate Spider-Monkey, Benzarro became Snare-oh, Nega Ben became Gutrot and Bad Ben became Gravattack.
“Well isn’t this a party?” Jason asked, flying up next to Ben. “You okay up here?”
“I’ve got our watchless comrade,” he said back. “You all just try and keep the others off of us while I find somewhere to stash him.”
“Why do I not like the sound of that?”
“Sit down and shut up.”
“In that case, Omnitrix, Atomos.” Jason shifted into his centaur form. He slammed into the ground with a thud, snorting. He charged forward, knocking Nega Ben away from Ben 23. “Pay attention,” he chided him.
“Hey, I’ve got it under control... whoever you are?” The thirteen year old looked up and down the centaur Jason and his eyes lit up. “Hey, you mind if we get some pictures when this is done? The fans back home would love seeing me with a centaur!”
Jason just shook his head before before moving off to help Ben 10k.
“Going somewhere?” Bad Ben asked, gripping Ben up in his gravitational powers and pulling him to the ground. Try as he might, Ben was unable to keep himself from being forced down, impacting hard.
Shaking his head, Ben snorted a puff of smoke. “That was uncalled for.” The Omnitrix timed out, returning him to normal whilst Watchless Ben was still on his back. Slightly irritated, Ben shrugged off the useless Ben and stared down Bad Ben. “Now, you’ve done ticked me off.”
“Heh, like I’m scared of you,” Bad Ben chuckled as he levitated a building into the air, chucking it at Ben.
Ben shot back an evil smirk. “Oh, it’s not me you should be scared of.” He activated the Omnitrix via the voice command. “Omnitrix, I need... Rath.” In a flash, the human was replaced with an Appoplexian who didn’t look very happy, even letting out a loud roar into the air.
“Ha! Still not scared!” Bad Ben taunted.
“You should be, Bad Ben Tennyson,” Rath growled as he slowly approached his foe. “Because you’re not dealing with Ben anymore. You’re dealing with Rath, and Rath,” suddenly right in front of Bad Ben, “doesn’t mind killing his foes.” He slammed his fist right into the alternate Ben’s face, sending him flying into a nearby building.
“I’m not scared of you.” He got to his feet, gripping Rath up in his powers and trying to crush him. Rath growled as he used his own muscles to overpower the gripping gravity upon him.
“Rath is the strongest of all!” He slammed his fists into the ground, sending out a massive seismic quake at Bad Gravattack, throwing him off balance. Rath used that moment of hesitation to pounce on the Galilean and began to punch and pummel him without mercy. “Do you fear Rath now, Bad Ben Tennyson?!”
Albedo, in an attempt to aid his ally, fired a string of webbing at Rath, catching him in the back of his head. He pulled back, dragging Rath away from Bad Gravattack.
“Oh?! Now Albedo wants a piece of Rath? Rath ain’t gotta problem with that!” Rath quickly flipped himself over and, using his legs, yanked Albedo over to him. This led to a rather nasty punch into Albedo’s face.
Vilgax merely watched from a nearby building, a smirk on his face.
“Vilgax!” Eon said, walking up behind him. “Are you just going to stand there or are you going to join the fight?!” he demanded with a glare.
Vilgax slowly turned, grabbing Eon by the head and lifting him into the air. “I will do whatever I please.” He pulled Eon close to his face. “And you are in no position to ever demand otherwise. Now open the portal,” he commanded, tossing Eon to the ground.
“We’re partners in this endeavour,” Eon said, getting to his feet. He looked at Vilgax for a moment before opening up the portal. Vilgax reached into it, pulling out a strange golden device. He placed it on the ground, tinkering with it.
“I should be in on every detail of your plans! Especially if they suddenly involve a bomb!” Eon shouted, watching him with a glare.
“Not just a bomb,” Vilgax spoke up. “A Chronosapien time bomb.”
“You're going to destroy this Ben and his timeline?” Eon smirked. “Nice!”
“On the contrary, the detonation won't even touch this Ben or his timeline,” Vilgax began, “It’s designed to wipe other timelines from existence!”
“Which ones?”
“All of them,” Vilgax said with a smug smirk as he finished the last of the commands, arming the bomb. It powered up, firing a blast of red energy into the sky, which started to expand. Seeing his handiwork, Vilgax started to laugh. “Only this timeline will be left intact, while all others will cease to exist.” He crossed his arms. “So every Ben Tennyson not from this timeline will be destroyed, including those other fools with Omnitricies.”
“But I’m an alternate Ben Tennyson not from this timeline. What-what happens to me?” Eon asked, throwing his arms out.
“Thank you for your help Eon, your assistance is no longer required,” Vilgax said coldly, watching as Eon tried to escape. The blast expanded, catching Eon just as he jumped off the roof, erasing him. Bad Ben was next to be erased, having been tossed into the blast by Rath.
“What is that?” Albedo asked as his Ultimatrix timed out, starting at the ever expanding wall of red in horror.
Rath was so enthralled by the spectacle, he didn’t even notice that the Omnitrix was timing out. Now Ben was left to stare at it and did not like the look of it, especially not when it consumed Nega Ben. “Whatever it is, ain’t good for any of us.”
In a mad dash away from the wall, Ben Prime, in the form of Astrodactyl, scooped up Ben 23, only for the 13 year old to be grabbed by Benzarro’s wraps and tossed back into the wall.
Mad Ben’s Omnitrix timed out, dropping him to the ground. “What in the world is that?” he asked, completely forgetting about Ben 10k, whose Biomnitrix also timed out.
The eldest Ben rushed towards the growing dome, slamming his wrists together. “Atomic X!” he called out as he transformed into a starry version of Atomix. He leaped up high into the sky and punched the wall, causing several miniature explosions to occur. This backfired on him, unfortunately, as Ben 10,000 was also consumed in the blast, as well as Albedo, Gwen 10, Benzarro, and Mad Ben.
“Fuck...”Jason said as his Omnitrix timed out. “Ben, run!” he shouted, hauling ass as fast as he could away from the blast. He kept running, only to be consumed as well.
“Jason!” Ben called out, being the only one actually to run fast enough from the blast. He, Watchless Ben, and Ben Prime all ended up high atop the water tower, the wall of red light still coming towards them. “This is not good, not good at all.”
“Where’s Paradox?” Ben Prime demanded of Watchless, his eyes wide with panic.
“I don’t know! He was here and now he’s not!”
They all watched in horror as the wall reached them. Ben Prime moved in front of Watchless, groaning in pain as he started to fade away. As he did so, his Omnitrix fell back onto the other Ben’s wrist.
“It’s just a gadget! Be the hero!” Ben Prime called out as he disintegrated. Watchless felt a hand on his shoulder and saw Ben looking back at him as he too was fading away.
“You’re our only hope now, Ben. Help us, Ben Tennyson, save the world.” Ben then joined the others. The blast continued, moving across the world before it too faded away. Watchless walked the now quiet town, not sure what to do with himself. A moment later, Vilgax burst from a building, glaring at him. Vilgax gave chase until Watchless was against a small broken piece of wall.
“What did you do?” he asked, making sure to hide the Omnitrix.
“What I had always planned to do all along. The moment I discovered your universe, I knew I had found the means to rid the multiverse of any Ben Tennyson who had ever even heard of the Omnitrix. Now you are the only Ben left,” Vilgax raised his arm, charging up a blast, “And you're no threat to me.” he fired it off, smirking.
Watchless dodged the first, and the second, having run himself into a corner.
“But that won’t stop me from destroying you too.” Vilgax said, charging up the third shot.
“Ah, there you are,” Paradox called out, opening up a portal behind Watchless, pulling him inside a split second before the blast hit.
“Run from me for the rest of your life Ben Tennyson, for at long last, the universe is once and truly mine,” Vilgax said with a cackle that echoed throughout the ruined town.