Ex Nihilo—who had been preparing to use his life-energy manipulation abilities to return all existence on the Behemoth Star Ring to its most primitive state, effectively reducing complex life to primordial particles—immediately changed his entire demeanor upon witnessing Ben's current transformation.
He and Abyss collapsed to their knees simultaneously, prostrating themselves before Ben while chanting incomprehensible phrases in an ancient language: "Creator of the Universe... Mother of All Things... First Light of Existence..."
"Cease all hostilities!" Ex Nihilo commanded, his voice carrying absolute authority to the Aleph swarm.
The densely packed combat robots froze mid-motion as though someone had pressed a universal pause button, hovering in the air while awaiting new directives.
"What's happening?" Peter asked, confusion evident in his voice. He'd been in the middle of using Four Arms to physically demolish an Aleph robot when everything suddenly stopped.
"Mother of All Things? When did Ben become a mother?" he wondered aloud, genuine curiosity overriding tactical awareness.
"No idea," Harry responded through the communication channel, equally baffled. "Maybe they're mistaken? But honestly, I'd prefer not fighting if that's an option. I'd rather go home and play video games."
"It's really strange," Peter continued. "Why aren't they saying Ben's going to give birth or something equally ridiculous?"
Ben was just as surprised by this development as everyone else.
He'd assumed the Omnitrix's answer would be straightforward—use the Universal Force's power to destroy these arrogant enemies who presumed to judge all life. But apparently, that wasn't the watch's solution at all.
"Is there some connection between the Universal Force and these Builders?" he asked internally, directing the question toward his symbiote companion.
Overkill's voice resonated through their shared consciousness: "I don't know yet. I need to search the information... Damn it, there's too much data in the Symbiote Hive! And every time I access the Hive network, I get contaminated by that piece-of-shit Venom's memories!"
In a sense, Overkill had been born from Venom's genetic lineage, but he despised his progenitor with passionate intensity.
Venom was uniquely significant among symbiotes across the multiverse. In every reality, that particular Klyntar managed to leave profound, colorful marks on history. In some universes, Venom and his host had even supplanted Knull—the God of Symbiotes—and claimed the title of King in Black.
"Accessing this information is like being forced to eat excrement!" Overkill complained bitterly.
"That's a bit dramatic," Ben observed.
"Actually, eating feces would probably be less disgusting than enduring Venom's memories," Overkill insisted. He muttered something about filing for workers' compensation before falling silent to continue his research.
Meanwhile, Ex Nihilo had fully committed to worshiping Ben as divine incarnation, delivering an elaborate eulogy while explaining that the Builders had been following "Her" will for billions of years—serving the Universal Mother's grand design for cosmic cultivation.
This cascade of reversals left Ben somewhat disoriented. He'd been mentally preparing for apocalyptic combat, ready to unleash cosmic-scale destruction.
Instead, the enemy had surrendered before the first real blow was struck.
He held the power of hundreds of exploding stars compressed within his fists, but all that devastating force had hit nothing but metaphorical cotton—no resistance whatsoever.
Soon, Overkill returned with intelligence gleaned from accessing other universes' symbiote networks, his mental presence accompanied by the psychic equivalent of violent nausea.
"I don't dare look at any more of Venom's memories," Overkill reported, his voice strained. "If I access another batch, my consciousness might literally explode."
He continued rapidly: "Here's what matters: The Builders are the first constructed race that existed at the beginning of all things. They worship a goddess they call the Mother of Creation, which is essentially the universe itself personified. Right now, it seems that golden idiot believes we—because we're wielding the Universal Force—are the actual embodiment of that universal consciousness."
"That's... potentially useful," Ben said slowly, understanding crystallizing.
A race that regarded him as their fundamental belief and totem resembled the Sakaaran population who'd proclaimed him the Son of Sakaar, the Sublime God—a living manifestation of their world's will.
This meant he might be able to resolve this crisis without combat while simultaneously recruiting an incredibly powerful faction to his cause.
'According to intelligence extracted from Morlun during interrogation,' Ben thought, his tactical mind already projecting forward, 'even if the Time Variance Authority isn't directly controlled by Maltruant, the situation isn't much different. Though Loki and Thor were dispatched to investigate, the TVA controls infinite timelines. Their enemy isn't any external threat—it's themselves across the infinite multiverse.'
'If I can bring the Builders under my command, we'll have significantly greater odds of victory in the coming multiversal conflicts.'
With that strategic calculation complete, Ben walked calmly toward Ex Nihilo, his movements measured and deliberate.
When the golden Builder observed his approach, his expression transformed into something resembling religious ecstasy. He called out with profound affection: "Mother!"
Ben's internal monologue became significantly less diplomatic. What the hell kind of "mother" am I?!
"Pfft!" Peter, standing nearby, nearly choked trying to suppress laughter. He turned his head and mouthed something to Harry in the distance, and both young men immediately began laughing silently, their bodies shaking with barely contained mirth.
Even Norman Osborn couldn't maintain his dignified expression, his face breaking into a grin that resembled an amused aunt watching family comedy unfold.
"Little Ben, I suspect your parents Ben Sr. and May have no idea their son has 'grown up' so dramatically," Norman observed, his tone absolutely deadpan.
Ben's expression darkened considerably, a vein visibly throbbing in his temple.
As his status had elevated—becoming progressively more powerful and intimidating—more people treated him with genuine awe and fearful respect. Only these old friends and elder mentors dared to actually tease him anymore.
But he couldn't genuinely get angry with Norman. The older man had treated Ben better than his own biological son in many ways, consistently supporting him through countless crises.
However, the son could pay for the father's debts. Ben silently decided that when they returned home, he'd have his Azmuth-based AI modify Harry's computer data, making each of his video games exponentially more difficult—perhaps increasing the challenge rating by several hundred points.
That seemed appropriately petty.
"Mother!" Ex Nihilo continued, completely oblivious to Ben's internal irritation. Both he and Abyss remained prostrated at Ben's feet, their voices trembling with reverence. "I never imagined I would witness your true manifestation in my lifetime."
His tone shifted to something resembling apology mixed with renewed devotion. "We had concluded that these civilizations no longer qualified for continued evolution, but since you've chosen to grant them another opportunity... perhaps you perceive something we cannot. Your wisdom exceeds our understanding."
He decisively pivoted his entire strategic position and transmitted new communications to the Builder mothership overhead.
"Aleph units, complete evacuation. All forces withdraw immediately."
Inside the massive mothership, the other Builders didn't accept this reality with anything approaching Ex Nihilo's serene certainty.
Several Builder elders had assembled around a circular conference table, their insectoid faces displaying profound concern and internal conflict.
"It manifests the Enigma Force—our ancient belief, the goddess who created us and provided foundational guidance at the universe's beginning!" one Builder said, its mandibles clicking with agitation.
"What should we do? Simply... leave?" Another voice wavered with uncertainty and hesitation.
But some among them rejected that conclusion entirely. "Why should we retreat?!" one Builder shouted, slamming a blade-like appendage against the table surface. "We established the Gardener System specifically to objectively determine life's value throughout the universe! The system has already delivered its judgment! These civilizations don't deserve continued existence!"
"But the Mother of Creation herself—"
"We have surpassed Her!" the dissenting Builder interrupted, its voice rising with fanatic conviction. "Yes, She created us initially. Yes, She provided early guidance. But circumstances have fundamentally changed since those primordial days!"
The rebel Builder continued its manifesto with increasing intensity: "We long ago replaced the Mother of Creation and transcended faith itself! For billions of years, it has been our race that nurtured this universe! We sowed civilization's seeds! We guided evolution's proper direction!"
"We have never been conquered! We are functionally immortal!"
"We are the shapers and builders of this cosmos—not mere servants of an outdated deity!"
It gestured emphatically. "Now our so-called 'Mother' obstructs our work, but She is not omnipotent! We have surpassed Her limitations and perceive farther into the universe's true needs!"
"We should not retreat," the Builder concluded with absolute certainty. "We should correct the Mother's mistakes!"
Another Builder joined the argument: "That being is nothing more than an inferior lifeform that has temporarily stolen the Mother's power! An incompletely evolved existence! What's more..."
Its voice dropped to something resembling contempt. "It's an Earthling."
Destroying Earth was their ultimate objective—the entire reason for this campaign.
"Colleagues, don't forget our fundamental purpose," the lead dissenting Builder said, its tone shifting to cold pragmatism. "Only by eliminating Earth can our universe remain secure during the multiversal collision crisis. Everything we do serves the universe itself!"
Its mandibles spread in what might have been a smile. "Anyone who obstructs that mission—anyone, regardless of claimed authority—will be defeated!"