Chapter Text
(The Centre of the Multiverse). Within the vast and seemingly endless collection of universes, the multiverse, dwells its centre. The centre of the multiverse is the location of the Time Room, home to the Wishmaster and overseer of the multiverse itself, Prismo. Built onto Prismo’s Time Room, below it, was a massive black cube structure with red lighting called The Flagship. This was the base of operations for the protectors of the multiverse, a team called Master Control. One of the team’s members, a dark skin woman with neon cyan hair, was sleeping in her own personal quarters. The woman’s name was Blisstina Utonium from Universe 91717, she was in the middle of a deep sleep when she suddenly sat up, gasping for air and sweating profusely.
Dialogue:
Blisstina: “...Again… “
Blisstina held her head in her hands.
Blisstina: “...Well… at least I got more sleep this time around.”
Blisstina got from under her comforter, sitting at the edge of her bed. She shook off her grogginess and looked towards the photo of her and her father that was sitting on her bedside table. Blisstina smiled as she took up the photo, giving it a kiss before setting it back down. She then got dressed; she had on a lilac tunic, lilac arm warmers that stopped at the biceps with black at the wrists. White pants with a strip of black around her waist, white boots and a black jacket with pink hearts on either shoulder. After getting dressed, Blisstina stepped out of her room and into a golden hallway, making her way to the team’s Break Room where she grabbed herself a cup of coffee. She held the cup with both hands, raised it up to her face and took a big whiff of the hot beverage.
Blisstina: “Decaf.”
She let out a sigh of relief and then took a drink.
Blisstina: “Welp, off to the Nerve Centre.”
Blisstina stepped out of the Break Room and was walking down the golden hallway. She was walking past the elevator when it suddenly opened, Blisstina turned around to see a small odd looking man dressed in a typical jester’s outfit, step into the hallway.
The Jester: “Bliss–!”
Blisstina: “Jester?! What’re you– Our walk is not today is it?! Did I forget?! I am so sorry–!”
The Jester: “No no, our walks next week, no sweat! I’m here because it’s an emergency!”
The Jester went back into the elevator and dragged an unconscious person into the hallway. The person was a man, an alien with dark blue skin and wearing a full black costume with white trim, a white cape and large white “U” on his chest. He was hurt, covered in cuts and bruises while his costume was tattered and torn. Blisstina dropped her coffee on the floor and rushed over to the hurt man, kneeling over him and checking on his condition.
Blisstina: “He’s still breath– Wait, this is an Ultimos?! What happened, where did you find him?!”
The Jester: “I found ‘em floatin’ around outside with the black and white cubes!”
In the meantime, the rest of Master Control were in the The Flagship’s Nerve Centre; a massive room where the team ran their operation, filled with technology beyond fathom and enormous windows that reveal the vastness of what was the Centre of the Multiverse. There was the leader which was a variant of Ben 10,000 from Universe 41511. A variant of Dexter who went by Dexstar from Universe 112096. Cheetara, a humanoid cheetah from Universe 72911. The Toonami Operations Module also known as T.O.M. and a rogue Contumelia that went by Uncle Grandpa, everyone’s supposed “Uncle and Grandpa”.
This Ben still had his Ultimatrix with it stretching up to his forearm. He wore a white bodysuit that had two grey triangles that started from the shoulders and converged at his chest with a gradient of green starting from the legs and stopping at the waist. He had messy hair, a beard and large muscular stature.
Dexstar was a young man wearing black form-fitting suit with a purple triangle that pointed down to his chest, a black cape and a silver utility with a gold star on the buckle. His mask covered most of his face except for his mouth and ginger hair.
Cheetara was barefoot and had long blonde spiky hair that had a scattering of black spots. She wore a brown bodysuit with dark red accents that revealed her athletic midriff and a red jewel on her chest. She also had a Staff of Ages in her possession.
They were standing before a massive holographic screen, in the middle of observing the vast multiverse by the way of Prismo’s Multiversal Database; a digital catalogue created by Dexstar and based on the multiverse as it was mapped out by The Prime Universe’s Enchiridion, that being Universe 1992. They were all drinking a cup of coffee, except for T.O.M., Uncle grandpa and Dexstar with the latter drinking a glass of water.
Dexter: “Universe 8172: everything seems to be in order.”
T.O.M.: “That universe has a huge wrestling tourney coming up that I'm looking forward to.”
Ben: “So that’s what you were saving up your days for. Have fun, man.”
T.O.M.: “Way ahead a ya, Ben.”
Dexstar: “Universe 42511: everything seems to be in order.”
Cheetara: “They won a war last year, I wish them well.”
Ben: “Oh yea. I hope everything turned out great otherwise.”
Dexstar: “Universe 2009: everything seems to be in order.”
Ben: “Hey T.O.M., isn’t that the universe you were stuck in that one time?”
T.O.M.: “Yea, it is. Those guys were pretty cool. Good media and even better people.”
Ben smiled, replying; “Hm.”
Dexstar: “Universe 1409: everything seems to be in order.”
Ben: “‘In order’, that place is a zombie nest.”
Dexstar: ‘Regardless, there are no threats detected.”
Cheetara: “I hope I don’t curse us but today seems like it’s going–.”
Before Cheetara could even finish her sentiment, Blisstina burst into the room, Ultimos in her arms as she flew through the door.
Blisstina: “Guys, we have a problem!”
Ben: “Why’s there an unconscious Ultimos in the Flagship?!”
T.O.M.: “Welp, we’ve been cursed. Thanks, Chee.”
The Ultimos variant woke up in a bed, sitting up and immediately discerning that he was in a hospital room, hooked up to a vitals machine. He saw that his uniform was fully restored and that his wounds were tended to. As the Ultimos variant was unhooking himself from the vitals machine, he heard Ben’s voice ask; “What’re you called? Your name, I mean.”
Specimen Supreme: “You may call me Specimen Supreme.”
Ben: “By the way, you can thank Uncle Grandpa for the wounds and for the clothes. He pulled the clothes out of his fanny pack. Kinda like the room you’re in.”
Suddenly Specimen Supreme was pulled out of the hospital room by a giant hand and thrown into a transparent cube, a containment cell made of bright orange energy that was inside a much larger room. Specimen Supreme regained his bearings and saw Ben, Dexstar and Uncle Grandpa standing before him.
Specimen Supreme: “What is the meaning of this?! Where am I?!”
Ben: “You’re not as polite as the other Ultimoses. Ultimoses? Ultimi? ”
A holographic screen popped out of one of Dexstar’s purple gauntlets, he was looking through all the information for Specimen Supreme, reading it all in almost an instant.
Dexstar: “Specimen Supreme from Universe 41613. One of the Three Kings that rule over countless galaxies alongside Slix Vigma and Kolar, the fraudulent king of Koros.”
Specimen Supreme: “That would be correct, young man. It seems like my reputation precedes me.”
Ben: “Hardly. So, why don’t you tell us why you’re here?”
Specimen Supreme: “Would you be so kind as to start telling me where ‘here’ even is?”
Uncle Grandpa: “That’s easy! You’re in the centre of the multiverse, inside the Master Control Flagship, inside my fanny pack– well, you were but now , you’re inside a cell, inside a room–!”
Ben: “Think he gets it, Uncle Grandpa.”
Specimen Supreme: “Uncle… Grandpa?”
Ben: “Don’t ask.”
Specimen Supreme: “So, the multiverse is real. I see.”
Dexstar: “We’re in charge of ensuring its protection as well as the safety of all its variants.”
Specimen Supreme: “Protecting the multiverse instead of ruling it. Pitiful.”
Ben: “Mhm. Ok, back to my question. How did you get here? What happened to you?”
Specimen Supreme: “Hm. I was taken– I suppose, from my universe, by a rather decrepit looking man. He took me into an odd craft that looked sort of like a giant pen.”
Ben: “A giant pen, huh?”
Dexstar: “Where did this vessel take you afterwards?”
Specimen Supreme: “A place that was nothing but hues of blue and completely silent. I couldn't even hear my own thoughts.”
Dexstar: “You were taken to the Dead Airways, the space between universes. That would determine that this vessel was specifically made to traverse it.”
Specimen Supreme: “Well, I fought my way out of the vessel and fell into this ‘Dead Airways’ where I lost consciousness.”
Ben: “There’s not a lot of vessels that can travel through the Airways which means that this person is a threat.”
Specimen Supreme: “A threat, I see. So, what is your plan of action?”
Ben: “ Our plan of action is to deal with the threat. Your plan of action is to wait here– watch some tv, play some video games or something.”
Just then, a flat screen television and countless game consoles suddenly appeared around the Ultimos variant. He ignored the spontaneous display and glared at Ben with red energy in his eyes.
Specimen Supreme: “You would be wise to mind who you speak to in that tone, human. You’re talking to a Galactic King .”
Ben: “You might be a king in your universe but here, you're nothing–.”
Specimen Supreme: “How dare you refer to me as nothing !”
Ben: “If you had let me finish, I would’ve said something a bit nicer but I won’t now.”
Specimen Supreme suddenly appeared at the see-through wall in the blink of an eye, staring daggers at Ben, still with his Heat Vision at the ready.
Ben: “Pfft! Are you trying to scare me?!”
Specimen Supreme was taken aback by Ben’s unwavering demeanour but he kept up his threatening masquerade.
Dexstar: “Don’t even bother. This cell is impregnable.”
Ben: “ Anywho . Dex, Uncle Grandpa, let’s go. We have a real threat to deal with.”
The three Master Control members then left the room, walking through an automatic door.
Specimen Supreme: “Cretins.”
Specimen Supreme then looked over to the flat screen television and the mountain of video games, picking up one under the title of “President Evil”. He stared at it for a second before tilting his head in confusion. Back in the Nerve Centre, Cheetara was looking through the Prismo Multiversal Database when Blisstina entered the room after getting herself a new cup of coffee. She walked up to Cheetara where she took a sip, having a satisfactory smile after the fact.
Cheetara: “You seem to have gotten a good night's rest this time around.”
Blisstina: “Yea, I sleep better here than I do back at my dorm. Although, those weird dreams, man… still bugging me.”
Blisstina took another sip of her coffee.
Cheetara: “Would you like to talk about these dreams?”
Blisstina: “I uh– Thanks so much for your concern, Chee but–.”
Cheetara: “I understand. Just know, when you want to speak about them, I am here.”
Blisstina: “Thanks, Cheetara.”
Ben, Dexstar and Uncle Grandpa entered the Nerve Centre.
Cheetara: “How was the interrogation?”
Dexstar: “It was successful, we acquired all the information we needed.”
Ben: “He did try to threaten me, though. It was kinda funny.”
Blisstina: “Wasn’t it sad? Seeing a friend in that way?”
Ben: “I’ve gotten used to that before Prismo even started this team. Plus, he’s not my friend, he just has his face.”
Dexstar: “Whoever took Specimen Supreme from his universe is still out there and I hypothesise that this variant might not be the only one.”
Blisstina: “So there’s somebody out there taking people from their families?! That blows!”
Cheetara: “But why this one? Why this Ultimos?”
Dexstar: “I suppose this might be unfounded but I theorise that this rogue variant might be gathering warriors. I say this because Specimen Supreme is one of the stronger Ultimos variants.”
Ben: “Makes sense, he did take over an entire galaxy.”
Blisstina: “So, what's the plan here? How do we find this person?”
Cheetara: “Could we possibly bait the rogue? Get them out into the open?”
Ben: “We could, actually. That’s a great idea, Chee!”
Dexstar: “We should nominate members to be the ‘bait’ .”
Ben: “It should be all four of us. Uncle Grandpa and T.O.M. don’t have home universes.”
Uncle Grandpa, playing with ducks in a bathtub that he spawned in the middle of the Nerve Centre, added; “Yup, I’m a freemason!”
Dexstar: “Free agent.”
Uncle Grandpa: “That too!”
T.O.M. then entered the room, announcing; “Welp, the Absolution is prepped so let’s get moving.” The heroes made their way to the Flagship's landing deck where Uncle Grandpa’s RV and T.O.M.‘s Absolution were kept. The latter was the recent incarnation, The Absolution Mk. XIV. There’s many sections to this ship, some of those being the vessel’s bridge, T.O.M.’s Media Room where all his collected media is stored and his Game Room where T.O.M. plays his vast collection of video games. The heroes piled into the Absolution, taking their seats on the bridge with T.O.M. taking the captain’s chair at the front. He pressed a button on his control panel which opened the landing deck door, revealing the vastness of the centre of the multiverse.
Ben: “Blast off, T.O.M.!”
T.O.M.: “Sit tight!”
The Absolution shot off into the air with the landing deck door closing behind them.
T.O.M.: “Activating Rift Engine!”
The floating rocks and black and white cubes that littered the area began to stretch into noodles as the Absolution sped up. It gained so much speed that the heroes eventually burst through a rift, entering the Dead Airways.
Blisstina: “It always makes me feel so empty coming through here. Imagine someone being stuck here… away from the people they loved and who loved them.”
T.O.M.: “...Yea, imagine.”
Ben: “Alright, drop me off first.”
Blisstina: “Why you first?”
Ben: “Because I’m the leader, Bliss.”
Cheetara chuckled, saying; “Of course.”
T.O.M.: “First stop, the home universe of O Captain! Our Captain!”
Universe 41511: Ben’s Home Universe
(Bellwood: Year 2031, Day). Bellwood was a futuristic metropolis with buildings reaching the heavens and beyond, completely drenched in a cyberpunk aesthetic. In the heart of the city, in the middle of Bellwood City Park, was Ben’s headquarters that doubled as the Tennyson Family home. It was a massive tower, taller than the rest and had green running throughout its exterior which converged into a large Ultimatrix symbol on the front. The Absolution flew over the headquarters which prompted Ben to get up from his seat.
Dialogue:
Ben: “T.O.M., just open up the hangar door, I’ll just fly down.”
Before leaving, Ben looked at his team, smiled and said; “Hey, be careful out there, alright?” Everyone responded positively with Blisstina cheekily responding; “Now get going, Mr. Leader.” Ben chuckled before going down to the Absolution’s hangar. The hangar door opened, revealing the massive metropolis below, Ben then activated his Ultimatrix, accessing his Evolved Homosapien transformation that was also known as “Ultimate Ben”. He stayed the same, no alien transformation, the only change being that the Ultimatrix was now on his chest.
Ben: “Time to fly.”
Ben pressed the Ultimatrix and a green wave of energy washed over his body and with that, his body began to morph, gaining the features of an Aerophibian. His arms turned red and elongated to his thighs as yellow wings popped out from under them. The two sides of his face turned red as well with yellow spikes protruding from his temples while his eyes glowed green. He leaped out of the Absolution Mk. XIV, floating down to the ground as the ship blasted off through a rift. As Ben morphed back into his human form with a wave of energy, his son ran into his arms.
Ben: “Max! Hey, buddy!”
Max Yamamoto- Tennyson: “Hey, Dad!”
Max was an eleven year old boy with messy black hair and green eyes. He wore a sleeveless white hoodie with a black stripe down the middle, dark green cargo pants and black and white sneakers and wielded Ben’s recalibrated Omnitrix.
Max Yamamoto- Tennyson: “What’s with the fanny pack, Dad?”
Ben: “It’s fine. Don’t mind that.”
Max replied; “Oh, ok.” before looking towards where the Absolution was.
Max Yamamoto- Tennyson: “That was the Absolution wasn’t it?! Are you guys on a mission?!”
Ben’s wife, Julie Tennyson then walked out. She was wearing a long sleeved pink sweater, blue jeans and her hair was shoulder length.
Julie Tennyson: “That’s enough, Maxwell. Your father’s probably tired.”
Max Yamamoto- Tennyson: “Sorry, Dad.”
Ben rustled his son’s hair, telling him; “No worries.” Julie then kissed Ben, prompting Max to grimace from the sight.
Max Yamamoto- Tennyson: “ Guys, c’mon. ”
Ben: “Huh, you’re already at that age where kissing is gross, eh?”
They entered the headquarters, stepping into its massive lobby where Max asked; “Oh yea! Hey Dad, did you master your Alien X Mode yet?!”
Ben: “Not yet, bud but I'm pretty close.”
Max Yamamoto- Tennyson: “It’s gonna be so cool when you do!”
Julie Tennyson: “Max, your father is going to his study, ok?”
Max Yamamoto- Tennyson: “ Aw but he just got here!”
Ben: “Sorry, buddy. Me and your mom gotta talk about some stuff, ok?”
Max Yamamoto- Tennyson: “Oh, ok.”
Julie Tennyson: “Why don’t you go play some video games in the meantime?”
Max’s eyes lit up before he ran off, shouting; “Thanks, Mom!” Ben and Julie then went to the former’s study. It was a large room with a cosy atmosphere, bookshelves filled with Sumo Slammers comics, a small gym and a desk where he works. Ben sat around his desk and Julie then sat in his lap, running her hand through his messy brown hair.
Julie Tennyson: “Is it serious?”
Ben: “No– well, not really… kinda. There’s a bad guy– Dexstar calls them rogue variants, snatching up people from their home universes. He also thinks that they’re trying to make an army. For what? Not sure but we’re going to stop them before we find out.”
Julie Tennyson: “...Ben, are you playing bait right now?”
Ben: “Can’t get nothing past you, huh?”
Julie gave Ben a concerned scowl.
Ben: “Alright, alright. I am but it’s fine.”
Julie sighed.
Julie Tennyson: “Yea, I know, it’s your job.”
Julie snuggled deeper into Ben’s embrace, asking him; “Just be careful, alright?”
Ben: “Yea, I will. Don’t worry.”
Julie Tennyson: “We should worry about the other guy, huh?”
Ben laughed. He then hugged his wife tight.
Universe 91717: Blisstina’s Home Universe
(Townsville Suburbs, The Utonium Residence, Night). Blisstina touched down in the front yard of her childhood home where she was greeted by her father, Professor J. Utonium. He opened the door and was grinning from ear to ear from the sight of his only daughter. An older gentleman much like any other variant of the Professor with grey hair below his usual black.
Dialogue:
Blisstina: “Hey, Dad!”
Professor Utonium: “Hey Bunny, you never mentioned that you were visiting?”
Blisstina: “Dad, I always visit you.”
Professor J. Utonium replied; “You can always call first.” as his daughter came in for a hug.
Blisstina: “Oh no, I forgot to call! I’m so sorry, Dad!”
Professor J. Utonium: “It’s fine, Blisstina. Come in, come in.”
Blisstina went upstairs into the room she grew up in; it was painted in a tint of lilac that contrasted her bright pink childhood bedsheets. The walls were littered with her favourite fictional hero, her idol, Freedom Gal. She walked past her Powerpuff Hotline, on her way to her bed where she sat on its edge, looking around as she fiddled with the fanny pack around her waist. The Professor entered the room and sat next to his daughter, prompting Bisstina to scoot closer to him.
Blisstina: “The room feels a lot smaller.”
Blisstina sighed, prompting the Professor to ask; “Blisstina, are you ok?”
Blisstina: “There’s a ‘rogue variant’ out there, taking people away from their families and I can’t understand why.”
Professor J. Utonium: “It would probably be a waste of time to try, Blisstina.”
Blisstina: “Really?”
Professor J. Utonium: “I say this because sometimes, people act without a motive, they do it because they can.”
Blisstina: “And this person could be one of those people?”
Professor J. Utonium: “Well, I suppose you won't know until you try. However–.”
Blisstina: “Then I’ll try.”
Professor J. Utonium: “Hm. I hope they open up to you, Bunny.”
Blisstina leaned back on her elbows, replying; “I hope so too.” She then sprang back up, saying; “Ya know, since I’m here. Why don’t we do some father-daughter stuff!” Let’s watch a movie!”
Professor J. Utonium: “I have just the one in mind.”
Blisstina smiled but it quickly evaporated as she came to a realisation.
Blisstina: “Wait, it’s not 50FT Worm, is it?”
The Professor smiled and shrugged.
Blisstina: “Dad, you’ve been watching that movie for the past two months!”
Professor J. Utonium: “What can I say, it’s ‘peak cinema’ as the younger generation say.”
Blisstine chuckled which turned into both of them laughing.
Blisstina: “Tell you what? We’ll watch it but we’re definitely watching Astro Sam after!”
The Professor held up his arms in surrender, saying; “Hey, no arguments here.” Blisstina then ushered her father out of the room and downstairs to start their movie night.
Universe 72911: Cheetara’s Home Universe
(Third Earth, Thundera). Cheetara was back on her home planet, reunited with the rest of the ThunderCats in one of the many rooms in the main palace. Cheetara had brought Turbo Toys from Universe 9175 to distract Wildkit, Wildkat and Snarf while Cheetara herself chatted with the Lion-O, Tygra and Panthro. They were chatting by the one of the palace windows being bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun.
Dialogue:
Tygra: “It’s been a while, my love.”
Cheetara hugged Tygra, returning the sentiment; “It has.” as they rubbed their noses together.
Panthro: “So this mission requires you wearing this satchel?”
He pointed at Cheetara’s fanny pack.
Tygra: “Yea, what is this?”
Cheetara: “Oh, this is called a ‘fanny pack’ .”
Lion-O: “Fanny… pack?”
Cheetara: “Right.”
Tygra: “What’s it for?”
Cheetara: “It connects my team, able to pull us out when we’re in danger.”
Cheetara sighed, then said; “...I wish this was under better circumstances than me being ‘bait’ for the enemy.”
Lion-O: “Do you know why this person is stealing people from their universes?”
Cheetara: “We don’t but all that matters now is that we stop them.”
Tygra: “The multiverse is lucky to have you and your team, it could've spelled disaster for everyone otherwise.”
Cheetara: “You know, putting it into perspective like that– I don’t know, I guess I tend to forget how big my role actually is. It has been a lot different than what we usually deal with.”
Lion-O: “You'll get the hang of it, Cheetara. Your patience and dedication to a cause is why you were second chosen by the Wishmaster himself.”
Tygra: “Jaga would be proud.”
Cheetara: “Thank you. Thank you all.”
Cheetara then looked towards the sunset and the others followed suit.
Universe 112096: Dexstar’s Home Universe
(Genius Grove, Day). Dexter returned to his childhood home of which he lived alone, it also doubled as his base of operations, his laboratory that he built as a child being his command centre of sorts. He was taking a shower when he glanced at the divots in his skin, running his fingers along them.
Dialogue:
Dexter: “The nanites seem to be operational. I will still need to run a diagnostic.”
After the shower, Dexter went to his childhood room that was updated to fit his current age; organised chemicals, devices and apparatuses are all over the room with a simple bed next to his window. He accessed his laboratory the same way, through the bookcase filled with books he had as a child and once there, he laid down on a bed as a wave of light ran over his body.
Dexter: “Computer.”
Computer: “Nanites are at 100 percent capacity, Dexter. Physical Enhancements: 100 percent. Metabolistic Enhancements: 100 percent.”
Dexter got up and walked over to a sandbag and with one punch, he blasted it off the rack and into the wall where it burst to pieces.
Dexter: “Good.”
Dexter left the laboratory and went downstairs to his empty living room. As he walked past the house phone and into the kitchen, Dexter asked aloud; “Computer, how many messages do I have?”
Computer: “You have 252 unread messages, Dexter.”
Dexter: “I see. Play important messages.”
Computer: “Of course. Playing important messages. First message.”
Dexter heard the voice of his sister, Dee Dee; “Hey Dexter, guess what?! I got the part! I thought I had to audition but nope– apparently, the part was made for me, just like you said! It would be great if you were at the premiere for the movie… Call me back, ok?” Dexstar was confused by the last minute shift in Dee Dee’s tone. Dexter grabbed himself a Major Glory Cherry flavoured Justice Fruit Pie and a cup of water as another message started playing.
Computer: “Playing second message.”
Dad: “Heya, kiddo!”
Mom: “It’s Mom and Dad. We just wanted to thank you for buying the new house for us! It’s very spacious– and there’s even an indoor pool! It’s amazing!”
Dad: “I also really appreciate the prebuilt Man Cave, son!”
Mom: “Just… just be careful, Dexter.”
Mom/Dad: “...We love you.”
The message then ended and Dexter’s confusion only grew.
Dexter: “...Computer, is that all the important messages?”
Computer: “Yes, Dexter. Would you like to listen to the less important messages?”
Dexter: “Proceed.”
Computer: “Of course. Playing messages.”
Declaration of Independence: “Hey Dex, it’s me! The Declaration of Independence? The guy that took your place as Major Glory’s sidekick after you went solo– yea, you know who it is. So, I wanted to–.”
Dexter: “End message.”
Computer: “Ending message.”
Dexter: “Computer, how many of these messages are from The Declaration of Independence?”
Computer: “250 of them, Dexter.”
Dexter: “I see. Delete them.”
Computer: “Deleting. Inbox down to two read messages.”
Dexter: “Good.”
Dexter turned on the television and began watching an episode of Star Check while indulging in his Justice Fruit Pie and glass of water.
(Centre of the Multiverse, The Flagship, Interior). Specimen Supreme was pressing his hand against the transparent wall of his cell, trying to see if he could break through in spite of being advised otherwise. The alien then heard a pop from his left and when he turned to look, he saw Uncle Grandpa staring at him with glee.
Dialogue:
Specimen Supreme: “How’re you doing that?”
Uncle Grandpa: “My fanny pack.”
Specimen Supreme: “Hm, I see. Let me ask you a question, what’s the layout of this ‘multiverse’ ? How does all this work?”
Uncle Grandpa: “I don’t wanna but I know who does!”
Suddenly, the television in Specimen Supreme’s cell lit up and a map appeared on screen. Once he got close, a hologram then shot out, getting in his face. The hologram had the appearance of a woman with a headdress that had a scrolled up map on top of it.
Mappo: “Hey there, I’m Mappo and I’m the holographic companion of The Primso Multiversal Database!”
Specimen Supreme: “Mhm.”
Mappo: “The Multiverse– as you can see here, is a complex layer of universes, realms and realities that either exist within and outside time and space! Staring out where you are– The Centre of the Multiverse; it is the epicentre of all of creation as it was where The Contumelia activated the Annihilarrgenesistoriathimiorgost eons ago.”
Specimen Supreme: “The Anniha…”
Mappo: “Annihalarrgh for short.”
Uncle Grandpa: “Hey, what about that one place?!”
Mappo: “Eh, that’s a spoiler for later.”
Mappo floated before the television, pointing at it as she explained; “This place is where you were stranded, it’s called the Dead Airways. This is the space between universes and the glue that holds the multiverse together. Ya know, since it’s the epitome of the concept of space.” Specimen Supreme found himself sitting down on a bed that suddenly popped up out of nowhere with Uncle Grandpa chewing on popcorn next to him. While chewing on a handful, Uncle Grandpa offered the galactic dictator some of his popcorn.
Specimen Supreme: “Uh, no thank you.”
Mappo cleared her throat, getting the Ultimos variant’s attention.
Mappo: “Alright, next up is the Timestream, which borders the Dead Airways. This is the homebase of the Clock Titan himself, Father Time. It’s where he does his thing, running all of time and all that. What borders beyond that is The Master Ledger, created by The Father of Magic before he became janitor. This is where Mana originates and flows into every Ledgerdomain across the multiverse. Beyond that, we have The Null Void and this place is basically just dead space. You could say that it’s boundless but many variants from across the multiverse use it for different purposes– from prisons to well– prisons.”
Uncle Grandpa nudged Specimen Supreme on the arm.
Uncle Grandpa: “There was a cool crossover that happened with two of my grandnephews because of that place.”
Mappo: “Oh yea, Rex from Universe 42310 and Ben from Universe 32610. Yea, that was a heroic union that you just had to see.”
Specimen Supreme: “...Of course.”
Mappo: “Oh , by the way, for all the realities I named after the Dead Airways. Think of them as rings that layer onto one another with the universes in the centre of it all.”
Specimen Supreme: “So everything is enclosed. Is there a reality outside the multiverse, then?”
Mappo: “There is and this is where it gets spicy…”
Mappo pointed at the space beyond the enclosed multiverse and continued; “ This is The Void .”
Specimen Supreme: “...The Void?”
Mappo: “Yup! It’s an infinite expanse beyond the multiverse, outside the concepts of time and space. It’s a metaphysical regulator that holds what is referred to as ‘mistakes’ which is just anyone or anything in reality that happens to end up there.”
Specimen Supreme: "Well, how do you end up there?"
Mappo: "No-one knows for sure but it can be accessed through every Elmore in the multiverse, though."
Uncle Grandpa burped after finishing his tube of popcorn, knocking Specimen Supreme out of his trance.
Mappo: “So, any questions?”
Specimen Supreme saw a small glowing area that resided on the border of The Void and pointed at it.”
Specimen Supreme: “What about that area?”
Mappo: “Oh, that’s just the Forge of Creation– where Celestialsapiens are born and all that. No big deal. Anything, else?”
Specimen Supreme: “No, nothing at all.”
Mappo: “Alrighty, I’m gonna go. I always need to recharge after a ‘lecture’ . See ya!”
Mappo vanished in a flash of light, the room was silent for a moment until Uncle Grandpa heard T.O.M. calling out for him. He had returned from dropping off everyone at their home universes. Uncle Grandpa told the Ultimos variant; “See ya around!” before popping out of existence.
Specimen Supreme: “...There was such a world outside of my own… a world to rule.”
T.O.M. was scoping through the Prismo Multiversal Database when Uncle Grandpa popped into view next to him.
T.O.M.: “Done patronising the prisoner?”
Uncle Grandpa: “Yep!”
T.O.M.: “...Hey, Uncle Grandpa… Have you ever gone through the database and kinda feel weird that your home isn’t there?”
Uncle Grandpa: “I’m not allowed to touch it, remember?”
T.O.M. chuckled, then replied; “Oh, right.”
Universe 41511: Ben’s Home Universe
(Bellwood: Year 2031, Day). Ben was playing Virtual Reality games with his son in the living room when there was a sudden boom from outside that prompted the two to race to the balcony to investigate. Ben and Max saw a giant rift open up in the sky with a large ship slowly coming through it. The sudden appearance also drew Julie to the balcony as well, shocked at what she was looking up at.
Dialogue:
Max Yamamoto- Tennyson: “Dad, what’s–?!”
Ben: “Julie, watch our boy!”
Julie held onto Max as he called out to his father. Ben then accessed his “Ultimate Ben” Form, then his Aerophibian Hybrid Form to fly up to the ship. The ship was long black with red trim, giant crimson wings that protruded from the side and from underneath with a spike on the front that gave it its pen-like shape.
Ben: “Knock knock!”
A small door opened on the top of the ship and a platform then rose up with the rogue variant standing on it.
Ben: “Strike?!”
Strike was a large man with purple skin and wearing a black bodysuit with a mask that covered one eye. He had a small red “X” on his mask, over his covered eye, a large one on his chest and a robotic arm. On top of all that, he looked tired with bags and dark circles under eyes along with a messy black beard.
Strike: “Hello, ‘Ultimate Ben’ ?”
Ben: “How did you escape Fort: 5612?!”
Strike: “Technically, I will have had. As for how, well, you’ll have to thank The Remote for that!”
Ben: “A remote?! What’re you talking about?!”
Strike: “No time!”
Three more platforms began rising up as Strike started to monologue; “During my search, I came across people with a shared aesthetic for red Xs.” As the platforms reached their apex, Strike introduced the three people that came into view.
Strike: “Feast your eyes upon my Red Minions! Redwing, Red X Action and Generator X!”
Redwing, a variant of Nightwing, had a ponytail and wore a black bodysuit with a domino mask that pointed at his nose like a bird’s beak. His mask’s lenses were red which complemented the massive red “X” that expanded across his entire torso with grey cloth wrapped around his arms and as a cape.
Red X Action was a variant of Red Action, dressed in a red armour that exposed her midriff and a black “X” that filled her chest. She wore a skull mask with a stylised crack on it that left her bright red hair exposed. She had a black scarf around her waist that went with her black robotic right arm and leg.
Generator X was a variant of Rex that wore a black bodysuit with red glowing lines that ran throughout it and a red glowing “X” on his chest. He had on a pale red jacket over his bodysuit with a motorcycle helmet that had a Dia De Los Muertos style skull painted onto it.
Ben: “These people are versions of Red X.”
Strike: “There’s only one Strike after all.”
On Strike’s command, the Red X variants attacked Ben. Ben fired Neuroshock Blasts from his eyes that Generator X blocked with his Block Party Build, Red X Action then fired off multiple energy balls from her robotic arm after it morphed into an arm cannon, forcing Ben to touch down on the ship to evade them. Redwing then leaped in with his two katanas and Ben was retreating from Redwing’s slashes when, from the corner of his eye, he saw Red X Action pointing her robotic leg towards him. She morphed it into a missile launcher and fired multiple at Ben. Ben fired his Neuroshock Blasts at Redwing who defended against it with his blades but the force of the blast still pushed him back. Ben then pressed his Ultimatrix, transforming into his Big Chill Hybrid Form. Ben’s arms stretched as they developed a black tint with splotches of blue, along with his face. From his neck grew a white tuft of fur with his hair turning the same colour and he developed large green insectoid eyes. He then used his intangibility to avoid Red X Action’s missiles, allowing them to fly right through his body to explode behind him. Generator X then leaped in with his Smack Hands Builds and Ben transformed into his Fourarms Hybrid For to counter the sneak attack; His skin developed a slight red hue as he sprouted two additional and slightly larger arms from his shoulders. He grew two small tusks from his bottom jaw and two more yellow eyes. Ben caught Generator X’s Smack Hands, the collision sending shock waves through the air.
Ben: “Wait a minute.”
Ben noticed a small device between Generator X’s collar bones.
Strike: “Mind Control.”
Ben: “Always mind control.”
Strike: “Alright, you guys are taking too long! Take him down already!”
Ben threw Generator X off but he was then struck by Red X Action’s energy blasts and Redwing’s explosive birdarangs. Ben was forced out of his Hybrid Form and landed on his back, seemingly down for the count.
Strike: “Take him.”
Julie and Max were watching from below, seeing Ben in clutches of Generator X’s Smack Hands, unconscious.
Max Yamamoto- Tennyson: “DAD!!! NO!!!”
Max was about to use his Omnitrix when it was suddenly covered in Galvanic Mechamorph. Max looked up to see his mother grabbing his Omnitrix, her arm armoured up by Ship.
Max Yamamoto- Tennyson: “Mom?! What’re you doing?!”
Julie Tennyson: “It’s going to be alright, Max.”
Max Yamamoto- Tennyson: “What?!”
Julie pointed back up to Ben who snuck Max a cheeky wink and smile
Max Yamamoto- Tennyson: “What? He… he’s faking!”
Although Max was relieved, he and Julie were still drenched in anxiety as Strike’s giant ship left through a rift. As the ship left, all they could do was hug each other and hope for the best.
(Pila Punctum, Interior). Ben found himself inside the bridge of Strike’s ship, restrained to the ground by green glowing chains as the blue of the Dead Airways whisked by. The captain’s chair spun around and Strike was sitting within it, smiling at the Master Control leader.
Dialogue:
Strike: “Welcome to the Pila Punctum! Isn’t it great to actually be able to talk and think inside this hellish void?!”
Ben: “I wouldn’t mind some peace and quiet right now, though.”
Strike: “Well, aren’t you the comedian.”
Ben: “...Strike, what’re you doing? Really?”
Strike: “Let me show you.”
The floor beneath Ben lifted up in the air, following behind Strike as he walked down a hallway. Ben was taken into a seemingly endless room that was lit yellow and filled with a multitude of cubes, stacked one on top of the other, reaching the ceiling. These cubes were containment cells in the same vein as what Specimen Supreme was restrained within and these cells were packed with variants from across the multiverse.
Ben: “All these people… How many of them did you take, Strike?!”
Strike and his Red Minions crowded around Ben with Strike smiling at the hero, showing his decrepit grin.
Strike: “Let’s see, I have visited 62 universes so far so I’d say… I’d say enough to make an army– maybe two.”
Ben: “Why the hell are you doing this?!”
Strike: “All I can say is that it has something to do with a Remote.”
To Be Continued