Chapter 88 - 4

Chapter 4: Ben's First Job; A Mage's Love gone Dark

A Week Later

Not Far From Magnolia

Inside Ben's Home

The house was cleaned up nicely after Ben had moved in. so far, the place had one main bedroom with three extra bed rooms, two showers, and a large hot tub. The strange and rather embarrassing thing about it was that it was connected to the main bedroom, and the secondary bed room. Ben had to figure out how to fix that, but didn't worry about it, since the bedrooms and bathroom were located on the second floor, which was connected to a stairway on the wall. On the first floor, a game room, and storage room were located there. As well as a mid-size kitchen stocked with a big fridge, a brick oven stove, a carving table, and a nice dining table. Also on the first floor was a living room loaded with furniture that Ben had acquired. Connected to a patio on the backyard was a large training room.

The place was pretty big and lonely but for Ben it was more than enough to hide from everyone else at the moment. However he wasn't hiding in his house at the moment.

Basement

The basement had been converted into a lab of sorts with tech and lacrimas. With the use of Ben's smartest aliens, Grey Matter, Brainstorm, and Jury Rigg, he had set up quite a workshop. The walls inside the basement were covered in a layer of think metal which helped it double as a bunker. It was pretty handy and easy now that with all three of his aliens, he had found a use on the Lacrimas, which were amazingly similar to some alien technology. Although there wasn't much to work with, considering all he had was the Tenn Speed bike and his hover board. Which he didn't want to take apart seeing as he needed the vehicles he had. He wished he could use his aliens more to make more materials and build the technology. But right now, he had enough to build what he was working on at the moment.

On a large work table, with crystal light lacrimas lighting up the area, Ben was hard at work on something, while in one of his alien forms.

He was now a tiny alien who was only five inches tall. He had a large head with bulbous yellow eyes. His pupils were rectangular and horizontal. His hands and feet had three digits each. He was wearing a black and green bodysuit and the Omnitrix symbol was on his back. This was Grey Matter, one of Ben's smartest aliens.

Omnitrix Encyclopedia

Galvan A.K.A. Grey Matter

These tiny five-inch people hail from the planet known as Galvan Prime. They are hailed as the most intelligent species in the universe. They are masters of technology and science, despite their tiny size. They can often make anything out of spare parts and can identify functions of machines by merely looking at them. This applies to organics, as Ben has used his Galvan form in defeating his more organic opponents by identifying nerve clusters and such. Don't expect a Galvan to be as harmless as they're small. They may be tiny, but they're wily. 

It should be noted that a Galvan named Azmuth, who's a hermit, invented the Omnitrix along with other famous creations such as the first Ultimatrix and Ascalon.

At the moment, Grey Matter was working on what appeared to be a black and white gun of sorts, with the Omnitrix symbol in the center between the handle and the barrel. In truth, it was another Proto-Tool he was designing for himself. Seeing as how he knew there were times he couldn't rely on the Omnitrix all the time, he had his hover board and the Tenn-Speed bike. So he figured that if he had a Proto-Tool, things would be a bit even when the Omnitrix timed out in battle.

"Okay, that should do it. It's a good thing I stored some leftover parts of Vilgax's drone in my bike." Grey Matter smirked as he placed the finishing touches. "Done and done." He then hopped off the table, as he transformed back into Ben.

"Now let's give this baby a test dri…" Ben started, but then blankly stared at the Proto-Tool.

The Proto-Tool had been designed to be used for someone more of Happy's size. Once he realized this mistake, he groaned, "Oh, great. I pulled a Blukic and Driba on myself. What the heck am I gonna do with this?"

He grumbled, as he folded the Proto-Tool in his hands, and placed it in his left knee pouch for safekeeping. He groaned, as he walked out, "Well, better go find a job to do."

Fairy Tail Guild

Once Ben arrived, he took notice of the craziness that went on in the days to come. Natsu and Gray were continuously getting into fights with one another, while Lucy was caught in the middle with tie breakers. Elfman was berating a team of the Guild known as Shadow Gear to 'Man up', even though he directed it more at the two male members and left the female one alone. Macao and Wakaba were in their usual routine and drinking as much together. Although they were beat when Cana was in the mix, as she was drinking a barrel load, sitting on a table. Ben sweat dropped, as this was the usual norm for him at the moment in this world.

Right now, he walked over to what was known as the Job Board. Here, the Mages of Fairy Tail got the jobs that paid well. Once he walked over to it, he scanned it over, seeing the various jobs that were on there. He crossed his arms, thinking on it, as he tried to find one he could take.

"Having trouble deciding on your first job, Ben," Mirajane suddenly spoke up, as he turned around and saw her standing there.

He blinked, as he asked, "How long have you been there?"

Mira simply shrugged, and kept her smile, "Long enough. See anything in particular?"

"Well there are a whole lot of them, it's hard to pick the right one, you know but I am looking for one with a good price for a reward." Ben shrugged.

"Take your time," she encouraged. But then she pointed out, "Although, I'd probably stay away from S-Class jobs or solo jobs for the time being."

"S-Class?" Ben asked.

"Yeah, those are the jobs suited for S-Class wizards. We only have about four missing right now, and Erza's the only one available," Mirajane pointed out, as she explained. "But since it's your first job, I think you should go with a team job at best. You'll have to split the pay in equal shares, but the experience is well worth it."

Ben thought about it and confessed, "That sounds good but I don't know many teams here." And then grumbled, "That and I've gotten a pretty good look at my choices and teammates."

Mirajane looked around, and saw the sight before her, as everyone acted like their crazy way would. She sweat dropped, but still kept her smile up, "I think I see your point."

But then his eye caught something, as it read the following:

HELP WANTED.

ANY POWERFUL MAGE NECESSARY TO RID TOWN OF KIDNAPPINGS AND STRANGE CREATURES ROAMING THE NIGHT.

REWARD: 87,000 JEWEL

Ben looked at the job, and smirked, as he took that job, "This one sounds interesting."

Mirajane looked at the job, and then looked at Ben worried, "Are you sure about that one? I've heard about it, and the rumors about it. They're not all good ones, if you ask me."

Ben folded the paper and put it in his jacket pocket, "Nevertheless, how can I say no to a job that pays 87,000?"

"Wow, you must really need the money," Mira confessed.

"Food and living expenses," Ben confessed while not mentioning the costs for other things like tech for his experiments.

But just before he could leave, Cana showed up in front of the two, as she seemed to smirk in Ben's direction. She folded her arms under her breasts, giving them a nice bounce and lift, as Ben gulped. He was trying really hard not to get a nose bleed at this moment, as he casually ignored it, and smiled to her, "Uh, hey, Cana. How've ya been?"

"First job, eh?" She asked, as she got a nod from Mira. She then thought aloud, "That's actually kind of cute going on a solo mission. But somehow you just make it cuter."

Ben blinked, as he asked, "Eh, what?"

She then pushed in front of Mirajane as she winked, "When you get back, you wanna buy me a drink?"

But Mirajane waved her fists comically, as she berated, "CANA, HE'S NOT OLD ENOUGH TO DRINK WITH YOU!"

"He's seventeen; that's old enough," Cana shot back.

But before the argument could go any further, Ben high-tailed it out of there, "Catch you guys later!" And just like that, he was out of their sights.

Cana just stood there, completely confused by what had just happened. Once it became clear, she fumed out, "ARGH! THIS IS SUCH A PAIN! The one guy I actually consider a real man in this Guild and he takes off, brushing off my drinking offer!"

Mirajane sweat dropped, "I think it's for the best, seeing as how I don't think he could keep up with you."

"YOU SHADDUP ABOUT THAT!" Cana shot back.

Two Days Later

After a two-day ride through the country, Ben had made it halfway into Malcon. Though due to his rump killing him on being on a bike for two days he had to take a rest. So he stopped at a nearby train station, and was currently stretching out his legs, as well as rub his sore buttocks. He groaned as he stretched out the kinks, "Note to self: make the seats more comfortable on the Tenn-Speed." He spotted a nearby map, as he walked over to it, to see where he was. He scanned the map long enough, and found the town he was looking for, "Malcon. Not too far from here." He smirked, "Okay, just gotta go there, and solve their little problem. Whatever it is."

"Stop! Thief! My purse! He stole my purse!"

A woman screamed out, catching Ben's attention, as he spotted a spiky haired punk, running away from a woman pushed down on the ground, and had her purse in his hand. Ben frowned at this scene, as he figured things like this happened in any alternate dimension. He switched on the Omnitrix, and looked through the dial.

The thief was running, and smirking, not knowing he was heading in Ben's direction. "Ha," he chuckled; as he was sure he was gonna get away, "This was all just too easy."

But he stopped in his tracks as he heard a flashing sound, and saw a green light flash in front of him. He skidded to a halt, as he saw the light die down, and was confronted by a very strange sight.

Standing five feet from him was a small pudgy green alien around Happy's height. He looked like the combination between a hamster and a woodchuck-like with some amphibian traits, and had beady white eyes. Small ridges ran down his back, and a stubby tail came from the back. His arms and legs were white on top, and black on the bottom, and stubby, with four small green clawed fingers sticking out of the black sleeves. On his legs, which were black as well, he had one white line around where the leg connected to the pelvis, and white footsies on the bottom of his feet. He had a plump tummy exposed from the body suit, which seemed to be kind of cute. On his belly button, where it should have been, was the symbol of the Omnitrix.

Omnitrix Encyclopedia

Gourmand A.K.A. Upchuck

The Gourmand people hail from the planet Peptos XI, now Peptos XII. They have four adhesive tongues which are able to get a hold on a lot of things, and even break them under their surprising muscle power. The Gourmands are capable of eating almost everything and anything, though mostly they eat solid matter, and aren't known to eat organic material. Their jaws are adjustable so they can swallow things bigger than their mouths, and their teeth are diamond-hard, as well as elastic stomachs. However, it is discovered that Gourmands share an inter-dimensional stomach that connects them in a way. This is how they eat so much and have room left over for more. They can swallow very large objects and digest them in seconds. After digesting something, Gourmands can vomit glowing spheres of acid that explode upon touching anything. 

They also have great stamina for their size, such as being hit by a car, skidding across a concrete road for a decent distance or crashing through a brick wall. The only real downside to these people have is their small size, which can make it hard to fight sometimes, seeing as how they don't jump very high to avoid an attack.

However, after five years, Ben had found a way to go around that problem.

"And now it just got hard for you, pal," Upchuck said, standing defiant in his way. "Why don't you give up the purse, and I won't have to traumatize you, buddy."

The crook just chuckled, finding this little thing to be a nuisance rather than a hindrance to his crime. "Awww, aren't you cute. Thinking you can stop me. Why don't you go off to bed now, kid," the Thief smirked confidently, and pulled out a gun powered by a blue lacrima in the hilt, as he aimed it at Upchuck. "That's a good little, eh…. Um… whatever you are."

"The name's Upchuck. And I eat punks like you for a late night snack," Upchuck replied, as suddenly he opened his mouth, and shot out four tongues at him. They wrapped around the guy's arm, and just before he could realize what was happening, they pulled him in to his mouth, as he yelled in fright. Upchuck took a big gulp, and smirked, but then his cheeks began to inflate, as he gagged a little. And then finally, puked out the thief, purse, gun, and all.

The thief's face was in full shock, as he was covered in light green bile, as he weakly said, "So… so… big…"

Upchuck smirked, "I told you that was gonna be traumatic." And then in a flash, Ben stood there, as he knelt down at picked up the purse. Although he coughed a little, as he gagged, "Ugh! Buddy, do yourself a favor when they put you in prison: take a bath." But then he thought about it and shrugged, "On second thought, take five baths. You really need to get that funky smell off you."

"Hey there!" an officer shouted, as he ran up to stop the thief. But then he blinked as he saw the crook in shock on the ground, covered in green sludge, and then turned to Ben. He thought Ben was an accomplice, but then noticed the Fairy Tail mark on his left forearm. "Hey, wait a minute," the officer realized, as he pointed to Ben, "You're from Fairy Tail, aren't you?"

Ben smirked, as he saluted with two fingers, "Yep, Ben Tennyson of Fairy Tail, at your service."

"That was some pretty impressive Mage work there." the Officer confessed, as he graciously took the purse from Ben in order to return it to its owner. "That wouldn't be Take Over Magic, would it? Because honestly, that was the most full-body transformation I've ever seen."

Feeling that it was pretty much what everyone was gonna think of it, he just went with it. "Yeah, pretty much," Ben halfway lied about. 'If I tell

this guy or anybody else about that I'm from an alternate dimension where alien technology's advanced, and that the watch I wear transforms me into aliens, they'll have me committed,' he thought to himself.

"It's a rare sight to see another Mage around here." the Officer confessed. "About the only other Mage I see in these parts is the Forest Mage, Majhal."

"Majhal," Ben questioned. "Is he from a guild, too?"

The officer shook his head no, as he explained, "Not really. He was once with a guild called Phantom Lord, but he left them twenty years ago for some odd reason. But around that time, that's when the dead started rising from the grave of his hometown."

Ben blinked, "The dead. You mean like zombies?"

Later On

Outskirts of Malcon

After thirty minutes of riding, Ben had made it to the outskirts of Malcom. From what he saw the place really loved using Magic that accumulated the use of plants and flowers. Why just as he walked in with his bike, he noticed that the pathway that led to the village was surrounded by a lake full of lily pads and water flowers. Even the pathway was lit up by what appeared to be vine stalks with illuminating flowers. It was like something out of a fairy tale story. But then again, seeing as Ben was in a world where Magic was everyday practice as technology, that wasn't far from the truth.

He looked around, as he realized things seemed peaceful, "Okay, no zombies so far. About the only thing I do hear is a cricket chirping away. Wonder why everyone's so…"

A swooshing sound was heard from the air, causing Ben to jump at it, and then, a loud ka-boom. The skies lit up with the explosion of fireworks. They weren't loud or large enough, but they were enough to light up the area Ben was in. At that moment, a bunch of kids were running up, mostly a gang of boys, as one of them commented, "Man, that was a little close for comfort. Hope nobody in the village saw them yet."

Once they got up there, their leader got a look at Ben's stiff form, as well as his bike. There was a fourteen year old boy, with a slim build, dressed in brown pants and brown shoes, wearing a baggy white button up shirt with a brown vest, and a paper boy had. He had pale skin, blue eyes, and black hair with tinted green on it.

"Hey, Claus," one of the bigger boys spoke out pointing to Ben, "There's somebody here."

Claus looked and frowned, as he rudely responded to him being there, "Hey, pal. You're not supposed to be here. We're testing fireworks out here; there's a huge chance someone would've…"

Ben sharply turned, although a little freaked out at the fireworks nearly getting him so close, he managed to get out, "Yeah. I can tell. So what's with the fireworks?"

"They're for the festival this weekend, so you better get out. You're obviously not invited," Claus shot rudely at him.

The guys looked at the weirdo, and noticed the Fairy Tail insignia. "Hey, you're from Fairy Tail," one of the boys stated.

Feeling like it was just like the train station, Ben smirked, "Well, not to brag or anything, but yeah. I'm from Fairy Tail."

"Then get the heck out of here!"

Ben blinked at that, as he was confused, as he asked, "What? Why?"

"We don't want some two-bit Mage who'd thinks we were lying just because we said there were zombies," Claus shot out, rather rudely. "An S-Class Mage from Fairy Tail came along. A guy with yellow spiky hair and a scar on his face, who said this town's problem was just a waste of time. After that, we didn't want anything to do with Fairy Tail ever again. So get lost, pal!"

One of the boys started messing with the bike, as he asked, "What's this thing? Some kind of dumb looking bike from the future?"

Ben politely shooed the kid away, as he defended his ride, "Hey, don't mess with the bike. It took me a while to make sure it'd last forever and not fall apart after construction."

Claus smirked, confident that they could beat this guy, "Why don't we show him how we treat strangers."

The boys chuckled at this, as they all charged at him. However, Ben easily dodged them, as one would swing high, he'd dodge low, if they swung sideways, he'd go the opposite end. And if one tackled him, he jumped over them as they flew down and got a face full of dirt. Claus shouted, "Just dog pile on him."

They all did so, as Ben toppled over on the ground, as he groaned, trying to get up, "Okay, gotta take care of this."

He then slammed his dial down, and in a green flash, the kids were all thrown off. They groaned and slowly got up, but Claus got the most look of who… or what the boy turned into now.

His body was green all over, with patches of jungle green for his underbelly, patches on his forearms and shoulders, and a single light green cycloptic blue eye. His head was nestled between two Flytrap-shaped flaps and he had four vine-like legs. His arms were skinny but hid immense strength, and his hands had four long but thick fingers. On his back grew several pods which only enhanced his alien looks. And around his waist was a green and white belt, with the Omnitrix symbol acting as a belt buckle.

Omnitrix Encyclopedia

Florauna A.K.A. Wildvine

Hailing from the planet Flors Verdance, these people hold numerous abilities which make them so well-known and employed as guards by some. The seeds on their backs are explosive, but can be made either lethal or non-lethal by the individual Florauna's thoughts. Their limbs are very elastic, allowing them to stretch and absorb impacts, and also allow the growth of sharp thorn spikes to act as a weapon. They can burrow underground quickly and also meld into other plants, making it easy for them to spy on others. However, if they are deprived of water, sunlight or exposed to the cold, they quickly wither up. 

Ben encountered a whole tribe of them on Xenon, as he was searching for Azmuth to help fix the Omnitrix, as they nearly cost Gwen her life trying to save Ben.

"Okay, little dudes," Wildvine spoke in a 1960s hippie tone. "I don't wanna have to hurt anyone of you, but I am gonna pacify you."

Claus gritted his teeth, as he shouted, "Get that walking salad!"

The boys attempted to charge at tackle him, but despite his look, Wildvine was pretty agile, as he hopped away from them. Once he landed on the ground, he burrowed underground. The boys ran over to try and find him, but all they found was a hole big enough to fit someone inside. Suddenly, a vine shot out, wrapping around a skinny boy, as he was being dragged away in the air from the others. They were freaking out over this, but then one with a hand shot out, wrapping around two more, as it dragged them back with the other vine. All that was left was Claus, as he looked around, awaiting for a sneak attack. However, he didn't expect it from underneath, as Wildvine shot up, and wrapped his other hand around him, and pulled him up with the others.

"Now, are you guys gonna settle down, or do I have to give you guys a new meaning to 'tossed salad'," Wildvine shot out as he dangled the kids upward.

However, Claus was still as rude as ever, as he shot out, "Let us go! You walking weed… freak!"

"You say freak, I say unique," Wildvine smirked. But then he went wide eye, as he brought Claus close, and squinted his eye, as he looked at her.

Claus blinked, "What? What is it, you walking salad bar?"

"What's going on here?"

Wildvine turned around, as he spotted the owner of the voice. He was a middle aged Caucasian man, with brown eyes, brown hair that went down to his shoulders, and a wrinkled frown on his face. He was wearing a white button up shirt, a brown trench coat, brown pants, and gardening boots.

He looked at the scene, and saw the damage caused by the fight, as some of the vine stalks had been broken down. He sighed, "Oh dear," he said as he walked over to them. "Plants don't cause such reckless violence. Humans can learn a thing or two from them."

He reached out to them, as a green glow showed from his hands, and automatically they grew back, as if it never happened at all. Wildvine blinked at this, even as he flashed back, dropping the kids in the process. Ben blinked, as he asked, "Hey, you wouldn't be a Mage called Majhal, would you?"

The man blinked at the boy, and replied, "Yes, I am. And who are you?"

Unbeknownst to anyone at the moment, hidden in the trees, a small figure covered in a dark cloak had been watching the scene unfold, making themselves unknown to anyone else.

Majhal's Home

Much to Ben's amazement, the village was completely grown out of plants and trees. It was like stepping in the set of the Battle for Endor, only much more plant-based. From Majhal, he learned that the Mages of this village had practiced in using houses, factories, and even farms that were organic in plant and herbology. As Ben walked into his home, which was a giant tree with vines and leaves grown together, Ben had to admit, that even though he didn't get Magic very well, it looked like it beat science in cleaner living.

They were inside Majhal's house, sitting at the table, to which Majhal offered a nice steaming bowl of vegetable soup. Not wanting to insult on his offer, he graciously took it. As he ate it, he had to admit it was rather tasty. Soon Majhal started a conversation, as he smiled, "I must admit, when I saw you, I thought you were a summon creature gone wild. It rather surprised me to see such an advanced Tale Over spell."

"Ah, it's nothing," Ben admitted. But then he deiced to change the subject, "I'm sorry to change the subject, but this is more of a business venture."

"I'm guessing you're here about the zombies invading the town," Majhal asked.

"Yeah, pretty much," Ben replied. "So what's this all about?"

"Daddy, Daddy," a little girl called out, as she raced into the kitchen.

The girl was a little seven year old Caucasian blonde-haired girl, dressed in a pretty white dress. She hopped at Majhal, who chuckled as he caught her, "Elisa, we have a guest. Manners, please." He held her in his arms, as he explained, "I'm sorry. This is my daughter, Elisa. Her mother passed away some time ago, and it's been just me and her."

"Hi," Elisa waved to Ben.

Ben smirked, as he waved to, "Hey there." But then he turned serious, as he asked, "So what is with the whole zombie thing anyway?"

"I'm not too sure about this myself," Majhal confessed, as he explained. "These attacks have been going on for some time. Almost twenty years to this date. Some guild teams have been sent down here to try and stop it, but every time they do, they can find nothing. A few leave completely drained of their magic; the village believes that these undead creatures have somehow been draining them of their magic."

"And what do you think," Ben asked.

Majhal shrugged, "Superstition at its worst, I think. Nobody around here wants to believe it could be the work of a Dark Mage."

"Dark Magic," Ben asked.

Majhal nodded, as he cradled his tuckered out daughter, "Dark Magic itself is a pathway to many abilities beyond what we already know, Ben. Some considered to be immoral and too unnatural."

KNOCK, KNOCK

Majhal got up, while still holding his baby girl, "Would you excuse me for a moment? I have to take care of something." He walked over to the door, and opened it. He was greeted by a Caucasian woman of the same age as him, although she appeared to be fair despite her age. She had green eyes, and grayish blonde hair, which she hid herself in a cloak. Majhal smiled, "Oh, Karin. It's good to see you, but what are you doing out so late?"

She graciously handed him a jar, "I thought you could use some more Black Cherry Jam, since you love it so much."

"You spoil me rotten," he smirked. But then he noticed she was staring at him, as he asked, "Was there something else?"

"Oh no, I'll be going now," Karin waved goodbye, as she walked off.

Once Elisa was tucked into bed, both Ben and Majhal were busy talking in the Kitchen, as he asked, "So what's with the fireworks those kids were playing around with out there? I heard talk about a festival."

"Oh, yes, the Requiem festival," Majhal explained. "It's when the spirits of the dead are sent up by fireworks to be returned to Heaven, where they belong. That's what you saw Claus and her friends were doing."

"Oh, I see," but then Ben blinked. "Wait, did you say her? You meant him, right?"

Majhal blinked at that too, and chuckled, "Oh, I guess you didn't know. Claus is a girl."

KNOCK, KNOCK

The two looked to the door, as Majhal got up, "Oh my. I'm quite the popular one tonight."

But as soon as he opened the door, Ben paled, as he saw Claus, accompanied by her father. Once the two got a good look to see who it was, both she and Ben shouted, "IT'S YOU!"

But she was tugged back by her dad, as she sternly said, "Come on, Claus. Don't you have something to say to Majhal and his guest?"

Claus forced herself to calm down as she shot out, "I don't see why I have to be the one to apologize." She then shot her finger at Ben, as she shot out, "It's his fault for being so weak for a boy!"

Ben frowned at that, as he shot, "Says the girl who bullies strangers, and got vine-handled by a giant walking salad bar, as you said."

Claus was seething at that moment, as she gritted, "Why you..!" But then she bolted out of there, despite her father calling out for her to stop.

Ben blinked, as he asked, "So what's with her?"

"Her older sister died last year," Majhal answered, looking downhill at the memory of such an event. "She was a victim from one of the attacks."

Ben then sped out of there, "I'll go talk to her."

Outside

Clause ran as fast as she could, not even noticing that Ben was behind her, chasing after her. It was only after a few seconds of running, did she spot him, as she shouted, "WHAT THE HELL? WHY ARE YOU CHASING ME?"

"Because you're the one running away," Ben shouted.

"Don't you dare follow me you weakling," she roared out.

"Like hell, I won't," he shot back.

She attempted to run, until a black cloaked miniature figure hopped in front of her, causing her to stumble. Once that happened, she began falling down the hillside, and headed towards the River. However, Ben slammed on the Omnitrix, and changed into Wildvine again, and stretched out his limbs, grabbing her. Wildvine walked down, as his arm shrunk back, as he gently set her down.

He flashed back to Ben, as he asked the recovering Claus, "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," she huffed, as she pulled away, and shouted to the little guy, "And you! What the heck do you think you're doing?"

"Trying to make sure you don't do something foolish," the cloaked figure stated, and then looked to Ben. "And besides… someone's got to watch your back with this Mage around."

To Ben, it was pretty obvious that this guy didn't like Mages, Wizards, Witches, or anyone that used magic. But he brushed it off, since he didn't feel offended by it, and asked, "So who the heck are you? And what's with the cloak? Not that I don't think you look cool with it on."

The little figure tore the cloak off, and revealed to a stunned Ben as to who he was. He was a small cat… standing on two legs, like Happy. However, this wasn't Happy at all, as he had the same body and head structure, as well as wings, but he was completely different. His fur color was dark green and his underbelly fur was white, with three black stripes on the back going horizontally across him, and three black stripes on his head going vertically forward on top, with a big one in the center. He wore black pants with a white belt, and had a white band on his right wrist, and a full white arm guard sleeve on his left.

The little cat spoke up, as he answered, "The name's Neb. And I'm a friend of Claus'."

The three had sat down together, as Claus explained that Neb had mysteriously appeared here, claiming he had been hatched from an egg in the forest, and was wondering around as a little kitten. Claus's sister had found him, hurt and drained, almost as if his life had almost been taken from him. Once they had brought him home, he was treated like a member of the family, although his temper seemed to be something to rival that of Claus.

"So you two have been friends since then," Ben asked.

"Yep, but these days, he comes and goes," Claus stated, forgetting her frustration and anger from before, as she looked to Neb, who sat in the middle of them. "I keep saying he's welcomed to stay with us, but he won't accept that."

"Why's that," Ben asked.

"Because I've been searching for the one that killed Claus's sister," Neb replied.

"I told you, I'm the one who's gonna do that," Claus stated, as she sternly looked to him, "I don't want anybody else getting hurt."

Ben decided to ask about all this, "Would you mind telling me what happened?"

The two stopped their arguing, as Claus explained, "It happened last year. We didn't know what had happened, but my sister had gone missing for a whole week. After that, one of the villagers found my sister, dead in the cemetery. Her body looked like it was discarded; it was like no one bothered to hide her at all. We gave her a proper burial and funeral arrangements were made. But just as we were about to leave… we saw her."

"Her," Ben asked.

"Orianna," Neb answered.

"From what my dad told me, she was a woman who lived in this village twenty years ago," Claus explained. "She died twenty years ago in an accident; they never found her body at all. But when I saw her at the cemetery, she looked like she hadn't aged a day." She stood up as she deduced, "That was then I realized she was some kind of ghost, bringing the dead back to life, in order to avenge the wrongs in her life." She then stood up, as she asked, "Look, I know we got off on the wrong foot, but if you really are gonna help us, then let me help. We can avenge my sister together."

Ben thought about it for a moment, and then crossed his arms, as he shook his head, "I don't know. This whole thing sounds like a wild ghost story. Besides, revenge alone isn't much of a motivation." But then he grumbled, "Although I can think of one Ghost that usually came after me for a while." He then sternly looked to her, as he replied, "Besides, you could end up in danger if you got involved."

"I agree with him, Claus," the little cat creature spoke up. "Although, I detest working alongside a Mage for personal reasons, you can't get involved into his. Don't forget: these creatures seem to go after pretty girls."

"Except those that dress up as paper boys," Ben quipped, earning a glare from Neb.

"Watch it, Bub," Neb shot at.

Claus looked at them both, as she finally spoke out, "You're just saying that…" and then got angry, as she shot out. "Because you're nothing but a bunch of chickens! Posing as a Fairy Tail Mage and a brave cat, when you're just a cowardly pretty boy, and a little pipsqueak fuzz ball!"

Neb snapped at that, as he seethed out angrily, "Pipsqueak?"

Ben asked, "Pretty boy?"

But Neb took it the worst, as he shouted out, fuming, "Nobody. Calls me a pipsqueak, and lives! Especially when it's a foul mouthed little girl!"

"Ooh, is that so," Claus shot at him, mockingly. "Gosh, I'm so terrified of a whiny little pipsqueak cat."

"Shut up and take a look at yourself," Neb shouted, as he flailed his little cat arms, as he roared out. "If you're a girl like they all say, why do you look and dress like a paper boy?"

Claus was a bit taken back by that, as she shot out, "That's none of your business!" and then kicked dirt at them, as she ran off, seemingly leaving the two behind.

Neb was seething at the seams, as he shot out, "I've had enough! I'm outta here!" he grabbed his cloak and hopped off, leaving a dirtied Ben to his thoughts. Not about the Pretty Boy comment, but about the woman, Orianna.

The Next Day

Majhal's Residence

Ben had returned the next morning, and had asked Majhal if he knew anything about the woman, Orianna. Majhal thought about it for a moment, and nodded, "Orianna… Oh yes, I remember her. She was a botanist living here in the village. They say that her perfect beauty could never be rivaled, even by the new cultivated Blue Roses she developed."

"Blue Roses," Ben questioned.

"They weren't as famous and as rare as they are today. She had finished cultivating them," Majhal answered. "One day, twenty years ago, she was delivering a wagon full of her then famous blue roses to Magnolia Town, her carriage fell down the cliff that connected through this town. We never found the body, but everyone believed her dead since we never heard from her again."

"Except for these zombie attacks," Ben pointed out. "I've asked a few people around about what they saw. And they mentioned that a girl that resembled this Orianna during most of these supposed kidnappings. Orianna coming and going, and with her girls go missing as well."

"Ben, that's absurd," Majhal defended. "If you had known her back then, you'd see that she was a kind and gentle beauty. She would never hurt anybody."

Ben nodded, as he apologized, "Sorry about that, I never meant…" but he shook his head, as he changed the subject, "Well, there's something I don't get: why is it that half the Mages that come in here get their powers sucked out? How can zombies even do that?"

Majhal shrugged, "I can't figure it out either. The only thing that would come close to such a power was the Parasite Spell. It enables a Mage to take the magic from another, thereby adding to their own."

"Seriously? Sounds harsh," Ben commented on such a grizzly spell being used. But then he stopped, as he looked around. Finally, he asked, "Hey, where's your daughter at? I know it's the weekend, so shouldn't she be running around, causing a ruckus in the house?"

"She's sleeping at the moment. I really don't want to wake her," Majhal said, as he got up. "Well, I've got some work I need to get done. I can't see you at the door…"

"It's okay, I can show myself out," Ben said, as he started walking away. Once he reached the front door, he heard something. It was rather faint and only lasted a few seconds, but the sound came from what he thought was a dying mouse of sorts. Ben blinked a moment, but then thought about it, as he shrugged, "Probably nothing." And then left the house, as he closed the door behind him.

Majhal stepped out of the living room, and was frowning at the moment, almost as if he figured Ben had heard the sound just moments ago.

Later That Day

In a local restaurant, Claus had gathered her friends together, planning a scheme that would rid of their town of this zombie threat, once and for all. "Okay, guys. We need to work together if we're gonna stop this Orianna zombie," she sternly said. But then she noticed the boys were pretty freaked out, as she growled, "What's wrong with you guys?"

"It's just that if Mages couldn't stop them, what chance do we have?" one of them said.

Claus was getting fed up with them chickening out, as she slammed her hands on the table, "Listen! We can't chicken out anymore. If this keeps up, someone could be next. It could be any of you."

"Don't forget you too," a pudgy one stated. "Don't forget: these zombies always go after girls."

Claus frowned at that, as she groaned, "Let's just get to work before it's too late."

The kids nodded and raced out of there, preparing for their plans. However, it didn't go unnoticed, as the cloaked woman, Karin, had heard about their supposed plan to defeat the zombies.

That Night

Cemetery

Ben was making his way through the darkened dusk of the cemetery, using a lacrima flashlight to shine his way. He had to admit this lacrima stuff was pretty awesome. He was thinking that after this job, once he got the money not just for the rent, but what was left over, he could by one of those lacrimas that were like a DVD player and a projector all in one. So far this world wasn't a complete bust. But at the moment, he had more important things on hand at the moment. Like finding these so-called zombies and putting an end to this crazy mystery.

However, he stopped as he heard rustling from a nearby mausoleum. He then took notice of a shadow crawling and creeping forward from the side. Ben activated the Omnitrix, and was about to activate it… until Neb hopped out of the shadows, and pulled his hood back.

Ben nearly fainted from relief, as he asked, "Neb? What are you doing here?"

"The same as you, I wager," Neb stated as he walked up to Ben. "I'm here to stop this so-called zombie epidemic."

Ben deactivated the Omnitrix, and just walked back, shaking his head, "I don't think this is zombies."

Neb frowned, as he followed after him, not letting this argument end like this. "Claus was right, you really are just a pretty boy weakling! Don't tell me you're like the others, believing all this zombie stuff is hocus pocus. You don't even believe in stuff like the supernatural."

Ben stopped in his tracks, as did Neb, as he sweat dropped in thinking that he may have touched a nerve on the Fairy Tail Mage. However, Ben looked to the little green cat, and said, "Of course I believe in that stuff." He looked forward, as he regaled to him, "I've seen plenty enough. Ghosts, Vampires, Werewolves, Frankenstein monsters, even mutant pumpkin scarecrows." He then thought aloud, "But this… I don't know. It sounds too… unbelievable."

However, the two were so engrossed in their conversation that they suddenly fell down a trap hole. The two yelled until Neb hit the floor, and Ben crashed on top of him. Neb whined out, "Damn… my back…"

"Hey, it fell in! let's get it!"

Both Ben and Neb heard voices coming up from the top of the hole, as they both looked up, and saw Claus and her gang. The girl just frowned, "Oh, it's you two."

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT'S JUST US," Neb roared out, as he flailed his arms around like crazy, "WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO?!"

"Trying to catch the zombies," she answered.

"With a big hole," Ben asked, not sounding impressed at all. "And what next? You beat them with sticks?" The kids looked to each other and then nervously chuckled. Ben groaned, "You were gonna do that, weren't you?"

Before Claus could yell out at them, they heard rustling from the bushes. The kids looked to the direction, and saw figures moving through the bushes. Being too scared due to the rumors, the boys ran away, screaming to run away. However, Claus was seething with anger, as she gritted her teeth, "You… you took my sister…" And then charged right at them, without a moment's hesitation.

Neb managed to pulling himself out of the hole, as he saw Claus running towards the zombies, "Claus, no!"

She didn't listen to them, as she charged at the zombies, but then paled and stopped, as she saw what they were. They were humanoid, in a way, but only in shapes to look like females. They were naked, and their bodies were sluggish green vines wrapped around to form female bodies. Their hair was made of yellow rose petals and green leaves, and its eye was black, with a red iris. They slowly made their way to her, making her fight back. She charged again, but then one of them shot their arm out, stretching it, as it wrapped around her waist, and pulled her in, hanging her by her waist.

Once she was close enough, Claus screamed, "This is for my sister!" and smashed it on its head. But she paled, as she realized it didn't do anything, as the Zombie looked at her curiously, almost as if it was amused by the futile attempt to fight it. Claus could only tear up, realizing she wasn't strong enough, as she whimpered, "I should have known.. I was just… too weak…"

"KYAAAAA!" Neb suddenly shouted, as he leap-kicked at the zombies. "DIE! DIE! DIE, DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE!" He kept shouting and kicking them all in the head, but was grabbed by his tail, as he tried to kick them while hanging upside down, as he shot out, "Are you undead bitches gonna keep holding me up like this! Or are you gonna fight me like a man!"

Suddenly, a green light erupted from the pit, as someone hopped up into the air.

The being seemed to be hidden under a large dark blue cloak. All that could be seen of its body was a blue face with large green eyes and a mouth that looked like clenched teeth. Blue claws and feet were also seen coming out of the sides and bottom of the robe. He exhaled and gave off mist, indicating a chilly breath.

That was when he unfurled his wings.

The cloak was in fact a large pair of blue moth-like wings. He appeared to be a muscular humanoid, moth-like alien, whose wings and antenna could fold up into a hooded robe, giving him the appearance of a phantom. Big Chill's body was black with blue and white spots on his arms and legs that resembled ice chunks, a light blue torso and large green eyes, as well as a three grilled tooth mouth in the shape of a frown. He had three fingers and a thumb on each hand, and two toes on each foot, and a third toe-like extension on his ankles.

He wore the Omnitrix symbol on a green and white belt around his waist.

Omnitrix Encyclopedia

Necrofriggian A.K.A. Big Chill

These insect-like people hail from the planet Kylmyys. They are capable of folding up their wings, gaining a phantom-like appearance. They can fly at considerable speeds as well as breathe freezing vapors and turn intangible. Despite their frail appearance, they possess superhuman strength. It is not wise to cross one of these people for they have the means of making you regret it for quite some time…if you live that long. He can generate ice beams from his hands that he can manipulate; Big Chill was capable of generating spiked balls of ice around his fists, as well as hurling ice spikes. He could also cause these spikes to sprout from the ground that surrounds him. It was revealed that he can attack with an, "icy uppercut," as well as manipulate the cold around him to make a frosty tornado. 

Big Chill's body contains a density-altering protoplasm that allows intangibility. 

Big Chill has enhanced strength. When Big Chill was on a metal-eating spree, he effortlessly ripped apart a large metal statue and snapped iron girders in half. This strength also extends to his jaws, as Big Chill was capable of chewing up metal statues, poles, buildings, signs, iron girders, serving trays, and drinking molten steel. 

Big Chill is completely immune to extreme subzero temperatures. He is also able to resistant to extreme heats. It was revealed that Big Chill can survive underwater. Big Chill can also survive in the vacuum of space.

"Big Chill, eh." Big Chill checked himself out, "I was going for Heatblast but I think I can definitely work with this too."

He flew in fast, immediately fazing through the first zombie plant being, and instantly freezing it. Luckily, it was the one holding Claus, and as soon as he landed back on the ground and became tangible again, he round-house kicked it, shattering the creature to pieces. Claus fell flat on her butt, as she looked at the newly transformed Ben.

"Now run," he informed her, as a couple of the zombies attempted to tackle him. Not wanting ot argue with him, Claus ran for cover behind one of the tombstones.

However, he saw them, as he became intangible, allowing them to faze through him, and swat each other in the process. They slashed at each other, as Big Chill ran through one of them, freezing them in the process. He noticed Neb fighting still, while being dangled upside down. He picked up the frozen plant beast, and tossed it right at the one holding him. Immediately, the creature was downed, being skewered by the frozen beast, as Neb fell on the ground, landing on his feet. Suddenly, a dagger made of ice was thrown at his feet, as he looked at it, and looked at Big Chill who had thrown it at him. For a moment, the two stood to look at one another, almost reading each other at that moment. For a moment, Neb smirked at Big Chill, and the Necrofriggian responded in kindness, as Neb grabbed the dagger, and they both charged in opposite directions in the fight.

Big Chill fazed through his opponents, freezing left to right, with either his intangibility, ice beams that came out of his hands, or his powerful ice breath. His clawed hands became incased in ice maces, as he used them to smash those still frozen, or smash through those that were still soft. Those that remained frozen, Neb jumped out, and sliced through them, like they were frozen fish. Big Chill didn't mention it, but the little cat seemed to have some moves on him, for a Happy cat. The battle was turning out pretty well, as both Alien hero and cat were fighting their all out on this.

Neb shouted out, as he stood atop a heap of pieces of the creatures, "WHO ELSE WANTS SOME, EH!?"

Just then, more of them started popping out, as they all started heading towards the two. They grew out spikes, and stretched out their arms, whipping at the ground, creating fissures. Both of them gulped as there were too many of them.

Neb gulped, "Got any ideas, Mage?"

But then he was picked up by the collar, and placed on Big Chill's back, as he said, "Hold on tight!"

"Don't order me around," Neb shot angrily at him.

"I just don't want you falling off," he stated, as he suddenly unfurled his wings, and flew up high in the air. Once they were high enough, he tapped his Omnitrix symbol, as the symbol suddenly folded out four points. And then, much to Neb's surprise, he went through another change.

His body now became a red and black body with red spots on his arms and legs, a red torso and red eyes. He now had three pointed fingers and a thumb on each hand and two toes on each foot and a third toe-like extension on their ankles. His wings and antennae now had a flame design. But he still had the Omnitrix symbol on a green and white belt around his waist.

And his voice was now more gravelly than usual, having a deeper tone behind, as he spoke out, "I'm going Ultimate!"

Omnitrix Encyclopedia

Ultimate Big Chill

The Ultimate Evolution of a Necrofriggian. Their usual blue bodies are more like a fiery red now, and their wings have flame-like patterns at the tips. Like Necrofriggians, evolved Necrofriggians can breathe ice, fly, become intangible, fold their wings and antennae into a hood and a long robe and survive in a variety of environments, including the vacuum of space, extreme heat, intense cold and deep oceans. Evolved Necrofriggians can create "ice flames," which Ultimate Big Chill describes as "fire so cold it burns". They described these flames as a plasma beam that consumes the heat of whatever they touch and use that energy to burn. Evolved Necrofriggians can shoot flames from their hands that turns into blue ice when they hit a target. By inhaling deeply, evolved Necrofriggians can lower the temperature of the air they breathe in, because they suck the heat out of objects, freezes anything that happens to be in its path. Evolved Necrofriggians are much faster flyers than Necrofriggians.

Once they were high enough, Ultimate Big Chill took a deep breath, and when he was ready, unleashed it. He unleashed a mighty reddish blue flame at the creatures, and once it hit them, it began to freeze them faster than ever. But as this was happening, they suddenly let out a strained cry, almost like a creaky door or the sound you'd make if you scratched fingernails on a chalkboard. Only this sounded like a dying animal, as Ultimate Big Chill noticed, but kept silent on it.

And once they were fully frozen, Ultimate Big Chill took a dive down below, getting faster and faster, until he slammed into the ground, erupting it, as it caused the frozen plant creatures to shatter, and scatter in pieces. Once that was done, Ultimate Big Chill pressed the Omnitrix dial and changed back to Ben.

Neb blinked at this change, as he hopped off his back, and looked up to him, as he asked, "Who… who are you?"

Ben simply turned to him, and smirked, "I told you… I'm Ben Tennyson. From Fairy Tail."

Claus ran towards them, seemingly thanking Ben for helping her and Neb, but all there were unaware of the shadowed figure, disappearing from the scene.

Later On

Once word got out that Ben had defeated the horde of zombies, the townsfolk immediately started the Requiem Festival. Fireworks blazed in the sky, the Sky Flowers blossoming in the air to help the dead descend into the afterlife. Everyone celebrated with food, music and dance at the while. People were cheering for the young Fairy Tail wizard who had saved their village, claiming that his amazing Take Over magic was extremely powerful. It was fairly evident that Ben's brave deeds would spread outside of the village of Malcon.

However, the young hero was nowhere to be seen, as some were seeking him out to cheer on him in this celebration. However, what no one knew was that the young Ben Tennyson was far from over with this.

Back at Majhal's

While everyone was out to party, Ben went back to Majhal's place. He easily broke in, seemingly since he found out the easy way that the door was unlocked, as he snuck in. his feet creaked on the floor, but not enough to get anyone's attention. But he stopped, as he heard footsteps from behind him. He stopped, as they stopped, then he went back a little more, but then heard the footsteps from behind start again. He then raised an eyebrow, and whipped around, as he shouted, "Who's there!?" But then blinked, as he saw Neb, standing six inches from him, as he blinked, "Neb? What are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you the same question," Neb asked, as he folded his arms across his chest. "What are you doing, sneaking in Majhal's home?"

Figuring he wouldn't believe him, he told him anyway, "Earlier today, I heard a small whining sound. Almost like a wounded animal made it. Then I heard it again from those plant creatures we flash-froze."

"Are you suggesting Majhal's involved with all this," he asked. Ben nodded, as Neb denied it, "That's crazy."

"Maybe," Ben stated, as he stood up, "But he's hiding something. I can tell."

He then continued to walk forward, until they both heard the same crying sound. Ben turned around, looking at a stunned Neb, "Did you hear that?"

Neb nodded, as he ran forward, "Yeah, it came from over here."

The two ran down the hallway, as they came to a door, which Neb pointed it being the one. He hopped up, and in a flash, whipped it with his tail, causing it to somehow open, as Ben stood impressed, "Nice."

"I'm a cat of many skills once practiced," he smirked, and the two walked on in. once they got in, Ben hit a switch that lit up light lacrima crystals. At that moment, both were stunned to see a shocking sight before them. Neb was only able to weakly ask aloud, "Wha… what is all this?"

All around them, it was a lab of plants of sorts, but with more horror than science or magic. Strewn across the table notes and diagrams about merging humans with plants were shown. On another table, tools and surgical blades were placed and being cleaned off from fresh or old blood stains. And the next horrid sight was yet to be seen. In glass tubes big enough to fit a person, sleeping naked blonde women were being put in suspended animation. From child, teen, and finally adult, they all stood at the ready. From what Ben could guess this place looked like the kind of place Viktor or Zs'Skayre would be more comfortable in.

Ben looked around at the table, and noticed photos of what appeared to be the same blonde beauty… who stood by a younger Majhal from twenty years ago. But next to them were notes… notes that depicted the merging of plant life with human souls. Ben remained stunned by this, only until someone spoke up.

"What are you two doing in my lab," Majhal suddenly popped up, getting only Neb's attention, while Ben's back was still turned to him. "I don't mind you being here for the night, even though you broke in, but I don't like it when you're in my workshop."

"So… Majhal…" Ben started, still having his back turned to him.

Majhal blinked, "Something wrong, Ben?"

"When did these attacks start," Ben asked. "When did these… plant zombies suddenly appear?"

"I thought I told you. It started twenty years ago," Majhal answered.

"And when did you leave Phantom Lord," Ben asked.

"The same time, why?"

"That was also the time when Orianna died," Ben deduced. "I'm also guessing that Elisa was born, right?"

"What are you talking about? She's only seven years old," Majhal pointed out.

It was then that Ben turned around, seemingly angered, as he asked, "Tell me this… why did you suggest that the loss of magic from the Mages was due to the Parasite spell… when you said you never used it?"

Neb's eyes went wide with shock, as he looked at Majhal, whose face was covered by the shadows. The Forest Mage sighed, as he looked at them, with a look of insane ambition, "You know I thought you were any teenage boy; too stupid to see the truth. But in the end, you're just too damn perceptive, Ben."

In a flash, Ben transformed into Humongosaur, and pinned Majhal to the wall, seething with rage at the moment. "Ben!?" Neb shouted in surprise.

"He's the one who killed Claus's sister," Humongosaur sneered, keeping his eyes on Majhal the whole time.

Neb let it sink in, as he asked, "And the creatures…?"

"The missing and dead girls from the village," Humongosaur roared. "He somehow mutated them into those… things!" Neb gasped at that, as Humongosaur's anger was getting harder for him to control, "It's an easy process when you use people, RIGHT!?"

"Why are you getting so upset, Ben," Majhal asked, the madness not leaving his eyes, as he defended. "It's the nature of progress: animal testing, experimentation, trial and error! All advancements, from the deepest desires, have - a price."

"SHUT UP!" Humongosaur roared out, his grip tightening, as he shot, "I'm not gonna let you rationalize this, you monster! That was Claus's sister and many other girls, damn it! You've been toying with people's LIVES!

Suddenly, a cloud of unfamiliar pollen began to be unleashed into the room. Neb began to feel dizzy, as he suddenly fell to the floor unconscious. Humongosaur began to cough, feeling weaker by the second, as his grip on Majhal started to become weaker as well. Until finally, he fell to the floor, and in a green flash, transformed back into Ben.

Majhal chuckled, "I haven't even begun toying with lives… yet."

The darkness began to lift itself, as Ben finally came two. He awoke chained to the wall, his arms far apart from each other. He struggled to pull at them, as he groaned, "Stupid chains! What the…?"

"GET ME OUT OF HERE, YOU PSYCHO!" Neb shouted, as he was chained up to next to Ben. His whole body was wrapped up in chains, save his head and tail, as he struggled to free himself.

"I must say, you two are both equally stubborn, if not more so." Majhal spoke up, as he stood there in front of the two, looking rather smug. "I truly am sorry for this but I can't afford having you two warning the village of my experiments." He then looked to the table, where Ben's mini Proto-Tool was placed, much to Ben's surprise, "I was looking through your pockets to find a spell book to explain your unnusual magic. But all I found was a strange little Lacrima Gun, that won't even fire. Probably because ether it's too small, or it's just a toy."

"And just what exactly are these experiments?" Ben asked.

"The Key to immortality and resurrection." Majhal stated, as he cradled a little blonde baby in his arms, feeding it a formula of unknown determined origin.

"And the blondes in the tank? Elisa?" Ben questioned.

"My variation of a Yellow Rose. Of my beloved Orianna." Majhal answered. "They're plant-based Golems that I've fashioned into my beloved Orianna, using what I know of Forest Magic as well as combining a DNA sample of my fallen love. In which I bind the souls of any village girl my creations ensnare."

Ben sneered at such a plan, as he sarcastically stated, "It's shocking that plan ever went awry."

"It's true that souls reject foreign vessels, as they tend to malfunction and deform right away." Majhal confessed, as he explained his plan's flaws. "Sometimes they would wander off from my lab and home, and I guess that's where the superstition was fueled. In truth, they're not completely human. In fact, they're like rare flowers that blossom and die in a few days. Or in my case, a matter of months."

It was then that Ben pieces it altogether, as he said it all aloud, "I get it now. At first, the creature looks like a child. Then it resembles Orianna. And then in its final phase…"

"In its final phase, before the body burns out, the creature becomes my lethal enforcer and bodyguard," Majhal finished, as he summoned a vine to appear and hold the child, like a baby carriage.

Ben spat in disgust, "Kidnapper and murderer is more like it."

"You're sick! You're evil!" Neb shouted, as he tried to wriggle free, "You destroyed so many lives! Why would you do all that?"

"For the same reason any man has done anything with passion in his heart!" Majhal roared out. "Orianna was the only woman I ever loved; I devoted my life to become a Guild Mage in order to protect my home town. To protect her. When she had died, my scars refused to heal, even when I left Phantom Lord so long ago. So in desperation, I turned to the one thing I could to bring her back to life. Dark Magic. But my attempts to bring her soul back failed every time. So if I couldn't bring her back, I could at least mold something to resemble her. But all that takes a tremendous amount of magic. So any Guild stupid enough to wander in and take the job, I take their magic out of any of the surviving Mages that fought my army of Rejected Experiments. They barely remember anything that happens, as they wander back, broken and useless for the community. But adding power for me to get one step closer to creating a perfect Golem that will last longer than the others." He looked to Ben and Neb, as he finished, "Don't you both see? I did it for Love."

"That's not love," Ben shot out, angrier than ever at how many lives he destroyed, "All you did was chose a body over her!"

"Shut up! What does a child know of love," Majhal spat out. But then he smirked. "But I think you do know something about soul transference." Ben blinked on confusion at that, as he explained. "See, I really don't think what you do is transform into a creature. You simply put your soul into the body of one. After all, no Take Over Magic is that perfect. So now you'll tell me the secret so that I can perfect my Love."

"You really think I'd be heartless enough to do that to anyone!?" Ben shot at him.

But Majhal scoffed at that, "Foolish Fairy Tail Mage…"

But then, they heard the door creaking from the side, as they all turned to the open door… and saw a stunned Claus. Apparently she had gone looking for Neb, and came to the house, and heard everything that they were talking about. Stunned, all she could do was shake a little, and barely speak out with the rude confidence she once had, "I just… I was looking… for Ben and Neb…"

"You foolish girl." Majhal smirked diabolically, and punched her in the stomach, knocking the wind out of her. She fainted right into her arms, as he scooped her up in his arms. He smirked, "You know what I found out the most. If the subject's young enough, they'll last longer." He then looked to Ben and Neb as he rubbed it in their faces, "I think Little Claus will do nicely for a donor."

Neb shouted, "If you hurt her, you'll be sorry! I SWEAR IT! YOU'LL BE SORRY!"

"Well, that's your opinion. The last one you'll have," Majhal stated, as the baby from the crib suddenly jumped out of the vine-made crib. Suddenly she started grown from baby to child, and then to teenager. She was aging faster than ever, as Majhal explained to the two boys. "That formula I fed her will speed up my creation's growth. Sure it cuts their lifespan down to a few minutes, but that's more time than what you have. Farewell." And just like that, he left the room with Claus in his arms, and closed the door for the two to meet their fate.

As the Orianna monster was starting to take adulthood, Ben looked to Neb, as he said, "Neb. You're gonna have to get us out!"

"How," he asked, as the creature was starting to turn green.

"Switch on the Omnitrix, and pick a form for me to use," Ben shouted. Neb looked confused at that moment, as Ben shouted, "The watch, hit the watch's touch pad, and scan through for a form to use."

Neb managed to use to his tail to tap the watch's screen, and sure enough the holographic selection dial spun with his movement on it. "Which one," he started to panic. "Which one do I pick?"

Suddenly, the creature's transformation was completed, as her thorny fingers crew into claws, as she looked at them viciously. "ANY ONE OF THEM, JUST PICK ONE!" Ben managed to scream as it charged at him.

Neb slammed his tail on the lens, as the Omnitrix lens control popped up. As the creature lunged at Ben, Neb slammed the dial down. The creature crashed into him, but then a green flash lit up the room, and immediately, the beast was pushed back rather powerfully. Neb looked to see what Ben had transformed into, and was amazed with what he saw.

Ben was now a humanoid plant like alien, more muscular and taller, had an overall light green and black colored body, and his face was colored yellow, red and orange, with a more visible chin. His hands were colored black with four yellow clawed fingers and a yellow hole in the palm. He had six red horns with yellow spots, two on each forearm, and one on each shoulder, along with a green horn on each foot, knee, and elbow. He also had a large collar raised up around his neck, and the Omnitrix symbol was on his stomach.

Omnitrix Encyclopedia

Methanosian AKA Swampfire

Swampfire is a Mathanosian from the planet Methanos. Methanosians evolved from carnivorous swamp plants. At some point, Methanosians evolved into herbivores. Methanosians are taller than an average human and have a distinct rotten stench that worsens with heat. A Methanosian's voice is very stuffy and nasally because they do not have noses. 

Methanosians have a wide array of powers, such as regeneration powers, the ability to slip through tight spaces, enhanced strength, chlorokinesis, stretching, and the ability to alter their body. They can emit flames through their hands and mouths via igniting the methane in their bodies, through which they are able to propel themselves in the air if they orient their hands in a way that is similar to a rocket engine. 

Methanosians have the ability to ignite methane in their hands to project fire. Methanosians can also breathe fire. As Albedo once demonstrated, a Methanosian's methane is strong enough to knock a human unconscious. Methanosians have limited flight by launching fire as jet propulsion. Methanosians have a high degree of chlorokinesis. Methanosian is able to manipulate their biological agriculture to stretch their limbs, change their shape, or grow extra limbs. Methanosians can reattach detached body parts by manipulating their vine-like "veins" to reach out and meld with the insides of the detached limb. Methanosians could instead regenerate a lost limb or reform if destroyed and their body parts are close enough. Methanosians have superhuman strength, enough to push over a Highbreed weather tower. Methanosians has a form of enhanced speed. Methanosians can channel their flames into a concentrated fireball or fire beam, tunnel underground and burst in a coating of flames. Methanosians are capable igniting their hands for "flaming fists", creating a ring of fire, and causing thorny vines to sprout from the ground. Methanosians are able to ignite plants they are controlling. 

If a Methanosian is attacked while regenerating, the regeneration halts. Methanosians can be frozen, though they can thaw out by igniting their methane. Also, Methanosians cannot control weeds. 

Though a year ago, Swampfire underwent a mature change, giving him a more fiery look now. Not only that, but his powers were now more enhanced and developed, his ability to control plants as well. Especially the mutated ones, though he still had the methane smell.

Swampfire looked at himself, as he asked, "Swampfire? Not a bad choice."

He then ripped himself off the chains, but ripped his hands off in the process. But instead of being in pain, his hands regrew as if nothing had happened. The creature hissed as it saw the Methanosian in front of him, and charged at him. He lifted his hands, and shot out a massive stream of fire, that hit her dead on. She ran around on fire, in immense pain, as she wailed out, flailing about as she tried to find a way to put herself out. But Swampfire kept pouring on the methane gas-enduced flames, as she continued to wail. Until finally, she weakly fell to the ground, and burnt up, into nothing but dust.

Swampfire clapped his hands clean, as he snorted (even though Methanosians don't have a nose), "And that's that." He ran over to Neb, as he tore off the chains, as the little cat landed on the ground.

"Come on!" Neb shouted, as he ran over to the door, as he tried to hop up and open it, "We gotta rescue…" but then the door opened itself… as Karin stood there, with a look of regret. Neb scolded, "You! You're working for Majhal!"

"I know." she said. "But he's gone too far now. I can't turn a blind eye any longer."

Swampfire walked over to the table, and picked up his proto-tool, as he walked towards her, "Then you know where he is? Where's he's taken Claus?"

"I know where his spare lab is." she stated, as she turned, but then something fell out of her cloak.

Swampfire knelt down, to pick it up, as he looked at it. It was a blue petal… a blue rose petal. He blinked at this in surprise, and turned to her, as he asked, "Wait, are you…?"

Elsewhere

In the lab, strapped to a table and stripped of all her clothes and underwear, Claus was held ot the table. Her black and green tinted hair was long and lay spread out behind her, as two straps covered her private sections, and held her wrists and ankles down. She was gagged with tape, and had rune marks painted all over her. Majhal wasted no time to prepare to extract her soul and place it into another Golem.

She struggled and whimpered, not wanting this to happen, as she desperately tried to call Neb and Ben out to save her. Majhal simply said aloud, "Orianna, if you can hear me. Bless this soul to be bound to the perfect body. Let her be just like…"

KA-BOOM!

An explosion erupted, causing Majhal to stop the spell, as he turned around. There, he saw Ben in his new form, along with Neb with the Proto-Tool strapped to his back, and Karin, whose face was still hidden. "You have to stop this, Majhal," Swampfire pleadingly demanded. "You may think that what you're trying to do will bring Orianna back. But you couldn't be farther from the truth."

"What nonsense are you talking about," Majhal asked, not interested.

"I'm saying that Orianna didn't die," Swampfire explained. "You thought that twenty years ago, she died because nobody found a body, but it's not true. The reason no one found her was because she wondered off; the crash caused her to get a concussion causing memory loss. She left the town and started a new life elsewhere. But fast forward today, she suddenly remembered everything, and in a true gesture of true love, she came back to you. But the sad truth was, you were too blinded by your obsession."

Swampfire then pulled off Karin's cloak to reveal herself, which shocked Majhal completely, even Claus and Neb. It was Orianna, twenty years older, but still as beautiful in her age, with a blue rose nestled in her hair. She sadly smiled to him, ashamed that it took her this long to have the courage to face him, "Hello, Majhal."

But Majhal appeared to be in denial, as he backed away, his face twisted in horror, "This… this is impossible! Are you telling me that this wrinkled old woman is Orianna?" he shook his head, as he appeared to fall deeper in his delusion, "Orianna was a woman of incomparable beauty… just like her roses…"

"Exactly like a rose," Swampfire defended. "It's true that flowers wither, Majhal… but despite what you've done; this thing that you've become… Orianna's feelings for you didn't."

But at that moment, Majhal couldn't take it anymore as he seethed out, "Silence, boy!" and then glared at the Methanosian with death in his eyes, as he shouted, "KILL HIM!"

And then coming out of the woodwork, Orianna plant Golems in their final phase came shifting and slumping out, heading towards Ben. Swampfire charged forward, pushing the thirty clones out of the window, smashing through the walls, as they all fell down to the ground. Majhal jumped after him, as a giant root grew out, as he hopped onto it, and lowered it down to watch the battle.

At the moment, Orianna and Neb ran towards Claus, as he undid the straps, and the old lady clothed her with her cloak. Claus looked to Neb, as she asked, "Do you think he'll be alright, Neb?"

Neb wasn't sure about it; sure he had a powerful form that could kick those beasts down. But even Ben was human. His little paws clenched as they twitched in fear. He gritted his teeth, as his thoughts were chaotic on the situation, 'What the heck am I thinking? I hate Mages! All they do is cause trouble for everyone! So why… why am I worried about what happens to Tennyson…!?'

Outside

Swampfire was fighting ferociously against the golems, as he was holding his up. He fired a tremendous stream of methane fire at them, as they continued to charge at him, even though they were still on fire. He punched at them, smashed them, kicking them, even going as far as to ignite his fists to ignite his punches at them. One of them grabbed him by the arm to keep him from flame throwing anything. But they didn't count on his mouth, as he blew out a stream of methane fire at them as well. The golems continued to dog pile at him, clawing and tearing at his body, as if they were really zombies.

Majhal's eyes blazed with madness, as he called out, "Yes. Yes. Tear him apart! Leave nothing of him behind!"

"YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Neb cried out, as he suddenly came diving down. And in amazing surprise, he pulled the Proto-Tool apart, making twin blasters, as he fired at the plant golems. He managed to blow their heads off, as he made a hole to land in. he then put the Proto-Tool back together, and twirled it, until it extended into a light saber bo staff. Amazingly, the little guy hopped about, slicing at the golems pinning Swampfire down. Once they cleared up, Neb jumped onto a half-torn Swampfire at the moment.

"Ben! Wake up! Pull yourself together," he shouted. Suddenly, Swampfire's body began to heal and regenerate itself, as if nothing happened to him. He blinked as Swampfire suddenly sat up, as Neb blinked, "That was quick."

"Yeah, but it still hurts," Swampfire regarded. But then looked to Neb and saw the Proto-Tool in his hands, as he blinked, "You know how to work that thing?"

"It's a weapon. I trained myself to understand weaponry, since I don't know how to use magic myself," Neb confessed. But then he stopped, as he saw the golems surrounding them, as he hopped on Swampfire's back, "Enough of the chitchat, keep fighting!"

Swampfire nodded, as he fired a three-way blast of methane flames, both from his hands, and from his mouth. While Neb fired at the golems, as he converted the proto-tool into an automatic ray gun. The two fired at the enemies, watching each other's backs, as they fought hard.

Majhal snarled at this, as he shouted, "ENOUGH! KILL THEM BOTH!"

The golems charged forward, about to pounce at them both, but then Swampfire had a thought as he stated, "Wait a minute. What am I doing?" he then looked to the golems and ordered, "Stop!"

And suddenly…they stopped. Neb blinked, as he looked to Swampfire and asked, "I have one question: How?"

"I forgot that as Swampfire, I have control over plants. Even magical ones." Swampfire smirked, rather embarrassed at having forgotten one of his aliens best powers.

But Neb grabbed him by the face, as he roared out, "AND YOU SUDDENLY REMEMBERED THIS NOW! WE COULD'VE SAVED TIME IN THIS DUMB BATTLE IF YOU'D JUST CONTROLLED THEM FROM THE START!"

"Even if you can control them, you still need to wipe them all out," Majhal roared out, as he cackled. "And considering they are of the Earth, they will be endless, unable to die at all!"

Swampfire grumbled at that, "He's right about that." But then he thought about it, and smirked, "Time to go to Chemical Warfare." And then tapped the Omnitrix symbol, as he transformed into a new alien.

Ben now had the appearance of a large muscle-build mechanical humanoid in a green outfit, with the exception of his head and shoulders being a bluish-purple color. He had four fingers on each hand, which were apparently gloved. Like Water Hazard, he had nozzles/openings from which he could eject something out of them. He had two on both of his arms, one on each of his shoulders, three on the rim in between his shoulders, three on his head, one on his back and one in the center of his posterior. He had a belt with a window on his stomach so that the gas he uses can be seen.

He wore the Omnitrix symbol on what appeared to be some kind of gas mask in front of his mouth.

Omnitrix Encyclopedia

Koffonian AKA Gutrot

Gutrot is a Koffonian from the planet Periodica 98. They're a race of mechanical humanoids, whose innards have evolved into a biological lab of any or every known chemical in the universe. Gutrot's innards contain various gaseous elements, making him a walking chemical laboratory. 

Being comprised mostly of gaseous chemicals on his insides, Gutrot has the ability to make compounds of almost any type and expel them as gas from the various nozzles on his body. Such gases include sulphur dioxide, (which can be used as a form of tear gas), nitrous oxide (laughing gas), and fluoromethyl-hexafluoro-isopropyl-ether (sevoflurane). This is normally used as an anesthetic, but is also useful as a knockout gas with short-term memory loss as an added side-effect. The strength of these gases depends on the amount expelled and their chemical makeup, but they are powerful enough to repel Dr. Animo's large mutated beasts. 

Gutrot seems to possess an enhanced knowledge of the field of chemistry and its effects on the human body as he explains the gases' effects. An irony, since Ben's lousy at Chemistry.

When Gutrot uses his gas, it makes a large cloud, which is susceptible to prevailing winds. This can endanger innocent bystanders. Some of Gutrot's gases are flammable, so he must be careful in situations that might ignite them. Opponents who are effectively shielded are immune to his gases, mainly through the use of a gas mask or insulation.

Majhal didn't seem impressed, as he smirked, "You fool! You traded your only ace, just because you wished for strength!"

"Seriously, why did you trade your Swampfire for this guy," Neb shouted, as he was freaking out.

As the golems shifted towards them, still on fire, he explained, "This guy's called Gutrot. He's basically a walking chem lab."

Neb blinked, "Meaning?"

"Meaning I've got the ability to combine various chemicals… and expel them as gas," he finished, which earned a disgusted look on Neb's face, as he nearly gagged. Gutrot grabbed Neb, as he shrugged, "Here, I'll give ya a demonstration." And then suddenly tossed Neb up in the air, as he was thrown pretty high. High enough that as Claus and Orianna came down, she caught the little cat in her arms.

Once he saw that they were in safe distance, Gutrot mixed the right chemicals, as he muttered to himself, "Alright, a little of this a little that, and voila: Instant Super-Herbicide!" And then farted a huge gas cloud as it spread all over the golems, as well as the vine that held Majhal up.

The Orianna golems whined and cried out, as the gas started affecting them. They cried, as they melted and rotted into puddles of goo, not able to reform and not able to regenerate. They were dead, with no way of reforming again, as Gutrot clapped his hands clean, "Well, that's that. Mission accomplished."

"NOOOOO!" Majhal cried out, as tears streamed down his eyes. Gutrot and the others, as soon as they got down from his house, witnessed as the man, who was pinned down by the trunk-like vine, could only look and weep at his creations dying. "MY… MY ORIANNA, MY BEAUTIFUL ORIANNA! DEAD! NOT AGAIN!" He cried out, as the real Orianna turned away, seemingly acknowledging the fact that Majhal was obsessed with his shallowness.

The Next Day

Ben was walking out of the village with his Tenn-Speed bike, with the bag holding his reward as he, and surprisingly Neb, were walking to the outskirts of the village. Ben had been given the reward for the job, just as Majhal had been escorted by the Military. He made sure not to be around at that time, making sure they didn't spot him. Once they were gone, the mayor had given him the reward, as well as their thanks and eternal gratitude. Neb had escorted him to the outskirts, sort of as a way of helping him during the whole ordeal.

Once they reached the outskirts, Ben tossed him a bag that made a jingle when Neb caught it. Neb blinked, as he looked to Ben and asked, "Ah, what is this?"

"About 34,800 Jewel, basically 60-40, since you helped me on this job," Ben smirked.

Neb then took the Proto-Tool and handed it back to him, but Ben refused. The cat blinked, "Wha… but I thought this was yours?"

"Yeah, but it's too complicated for me to use it anyway," Ben admitted, as he explained with a smile. "That and it's too small for me to use it either. It suits you considering you know how to use it better than me." He winked, "Consider it a token of trust between us."

Neb frowned, as he turned his back, "Just because you give me this device and a bigger cut of your reward, doesn't mean I full trust Mages. Not after what Majhal did." He then turned around and left, going back to the village. But as he continued, he smirked a little, as he whispered, "Though… I think I can trust you…. Seeing as you're not a Mage Ben."

Ben shrugged at the little cat's stubbornness, as he smirked, "Can't wait to tell Happy about this." He hopped on the bike, but before he could rev the engine, he heard footsteps behind him.

One he turned around, he saw Orianna, holding a pot in her hands, which contained a single blue rose. With her was a girl wearing a beautiful sundress and sandals. Orianna walked up to him and offered her the rose, "I'd like you to have this, as a token for saving Claus and this town."

"Thanks, ma'am," Ben graciously accepted the rose, but then blinked, "But I thought…"

"It's true, I still do love Majhal," Orianna confessed, and spoke up rather hopeful. "I just hope that one day, he can return to his senses in time."

The girl then shifted her feet, as she talked to him, rather sober and gentle, as she smiled to him, "I wanted to say that I was sorry for treating you so badly, before you left. You really are a great Mage, Ben."

Ben blinked, as he was slightly confused, but nodded, "Uh, thanks… but who are you again?"

Orianna smirked, "Don't you know? This is Claus." Claus blushed a little, as she nodded to him.

Ben blinked in surprise, seeing such a transformation from the tomboy girl that kept treating him like dirt. Finally, he shouted in surprise, "GAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Claus just blushed embarrassingly, as she shouted, "Will you grow up already!?"

Ben smirked as he set the plant behind him strapped in, and revved off, as he took off. But before he was out of range, he shouted, "YOU'RE DEFINITELY A LOT MORE PRETTIER WHEN YOU DON'T DRESS UP LIKE A PAPERBOY!" and disappeared over the distance, as Claus and Orianna waved him goodbye.

And unbeknownst to Ben or the others, Neb stood atop a tree, waving at him as well. The paths between the boy with the Omnitrix and the cat with the Proto-Tool… was only the beginning.