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Chapter Text

Renita was sitting down to do her homework when she got a call from Gwen. It was not unusual that she got a call from Gwen. The two talked about their homework or about a possible lead they could follow. They also talked about Gwen’s powers and what she needed to continue learning and practicing.

“Greetings, Gwen,” said Renita as she answered her phone.

“Hey, Ren,” said Gwen. “I am coming over. I got a message you need to hear about. Kevin should be on his way soon.”

“Okay,” said Renita. “I am in my room.”

Renita blinked because Gwen had hung up the phone without saying goodbye. That was weird. Why did she do that? It was not normal for her to just hang up on Renita. She shrugged her shoulders as she pulled out some homework to work on while she waited. It would be best to get some homework out of the way.

Gwen arrived soon after Renita had completed her Physics homework.

“Do you mind if I look through your closet for something?” asked Gwen.

“Sure,” said Renita. “I do not have anything to hide.”

Gwen started to go through her closet, digging around inside of it. Renita was still sitting at her desk. Her jacket on the back of the chair. Her long hair braided. She was playing with it as she watched Gwen. It did not make sense as

“Tell me about this message already, Gwen,” said Renita. “I have homework.”

“Let's just wait for Kevin,” said Gwen. “Then I don't have to tell it twice.”

“Was it an e-mail?” asked Renita. “Just let me read it.”

“A telepathic SOS sent through my energy field,” said Gwen.

She got a message through her mana field. That was strange but not too strange. No one knew Renita had a mana field to reach out to her through except Blonko, Gwen, Kevin and Grandpa Max. However, her mana field was bigger than Gwen’s. She should have picked up the message along with Gwen.

“Oh, look!” said Gwen. She was holding a Sumo Slammers’ battle ring. “A dollhouse.”

“That is not a dollhouse,” said Renita. “I believe it is a Sumo Slammers' battle ring where you battle another person with the action figures. I have had it for years, since I was five or six.”

“They look like dolls to me,” said Gwen.

“They are not dolls but action figures,” said Renita. “They are collectibles now. One day they might be something I can sell for money. I do not know if I will do that.”

“Aah!” said Gwen.

She dropped the battle ring to the ground. Gwen rubbed her temple. Renita went to where she was kneeling as Gwen stood up.

“Are you okay?” asked Renita.

“Something coming in,” said Gwen.

A huge purple circle appeared. Helen appeared on the thing like a big screen. It surprised her. Renita did not know mana could do something like that. She was impressed with the way Gwen handled her mana. To be able to gain messages through a mana field was brilliant.

“Can you hear me, Gwen?” asked Helen. “Did you find Ren? We need help!”

“Helen?” asked Renita.

The door to her bedroom opened. Kevin walked into the room.

“Holograms?” asked Kevin. “It's never like I come over, and you're just playing video games or something.”

“I can't hear you,” said Helen.

“Helen, I am right here,” said Renita.

“You guys, if you're getting this message, it's important,” said Helen. “Please help us!”

“Hard to focus can't keep connection,” said Gwen.

“There is terrible danger,” said Helen. “We need help desperately. It's a matter of life and death! Please!”

Gwen groaned as the connection disappeared. She leaned down from the pain of having kept the connection open for as long as she had. Kevin grabbed her arm to help keep her standing.

“You, okay?” asked Kevin.

“Yeah,” said Gwen. “Anyway, I'm doing better than those Plumber kids.”

“What did they expect, going into the Null Void?” said Kevin. “Not like we didn't warn them.”

“We have to go get them out,” said Gwen.

“You're not going in there,” said Kevin. “I've been there. It's —”

“I can handle it,” said Gwen.

“No, you cannot,” said Renita. “There is too much riding on us being here.”

“You heard her,” said Gwen. “They need help.”

“I know,” said Renita. “That is why I am going alone. All I need is to find a way to the Null Void.”

“I might be able to open a doorway into the Null Void, but I don’t think I’ll be able to hold it long or even track you if you get lost inside,” said Gwen.

“I’ve got that handled,” said Kevin. “Come on.”

Kevin had them get into his car. He drove them to a warehouse that he apparently leases out. It was weird to know this place was full of alien tech and Plumber tech. Kevin must have swiped a lot of this stuff back during his days of being a criminal. She was sort of glad for it but at the same time, unhappy.

“You will need this jet pack,” said Kevin.

Renita took the pack and placed it on her shoulders.

“Last time I went into the Null Void, I did not need all this stuff,” said Renita.

“Last time, you had a motor home full of cool, state-of-the-art Plumber gear,” said Kevin.

“Which you sold,” said Renita.

“The point is, it's gonna be tricky to get you out,” said Gwen. “Even if I'm able to temporarily whip a doorway into the Null Void, this cable's the only thing connecting you to —”

“It's not a cable,” said Kevin. “The Plumber snake is an unbreakable, pandimensional retrieval system worth mucho dinero, which you are very lucky I have.”

Gwen hooked the cable to the back of the jet pack.

“Aw, you would miss me,” said Renita.

“I got better ways to spend my time than going to your funeral,” said Kevin.

Gwen’s eyes glowed as a portal opened in front of them. There were several orbs going around and around in a circle that sped up. She could see nothing but the space that allowed one to travel to and from the Null Void. Renita was impressed by her skills. She was getting better at using her mana.

“I retraced the energy path from Helen's message,” said Gwen. “Hopefully, it will lead you to her location, but I don't know how long I can keep this open.”

Renita looked from Gwen to the portal. She activated the jet pack. She went through the portal. She appeared on the other side. The sky was red, rocks floating everyone and no end in sight in any direction. There were white specks in the distance. She could not begin to guess what lit the sky up either.

“Pocket dimension?” said Renita. “That is a big pocket.”

Renita heard something screaming. What went by her was weird. It looked somewhat like Vulpimancers, but with tentacles hanging from the undersides instead of legs and had wings. They were gray in color. It had wrapped up in its tentacles a green colored aliens in gray robes.

“Aah,” yelled the alien. “Aaahhhh! Help us! Assist me! Help us!”

“I am coming,” said Renita.

She moved to follow. She weaved around the rocks before stopping to wrap the wire around one of the rocks to throw at the beast. It slammed into it. The beast dropped the alien it was carrying. It turned to her. The beast started firing purple energy beams from its mouth at her.

She moved and weaved as she dodged it. It continued to chase after her.

“This would be a lot easier without the leash,” said Renita.

She spotted two rocks that were close together.

“Let us see how smart you are,” said Renita.

She flew through the two rocks. At the other side, she wrapped her wire around two sides of it directly in the middle. She waited. It slammed into the wire and crashed into a rock. It was knocked out. Renita smiled as she left that area. She flew down to wear the alien she saved had been waiting.

“Are you okay?” asked Renita.

“I knew it!” exclaimed the alien. “I knew once news of my capture had spread. The Wrench would never let me fall into the hands of D'void. We must flee. He'll be back and not alone.”

“Uh, yeah, okay,” said Renita.

She grabbed the alien's hand and flew off the rock. They made their way to another huge rock with a crater on one side. They landed there. A fire was created for them. Renita sat on one side, the alien on the other. She was using the fire to warm up her hands as the dimension was cold.

“If you know The Wrench, he must be warned,” said the alien. “This entire dimension is becoming destabilized.”

“Slow down,” said Renita. “Who is The Wrench, anyway? What are the helpers?”

“You're not a helper?” asked the alien. “But even so, how could you not have heard of The Wrench, the only person who dares defy D'void and his Null Guardians?”

“Back up and start again,” said Renita. “I do not understand anything -”

Several blasts rained down on them. Renita dodged out of the way of them. She looked up to see several of those things surrounding them.

“Null Guardians,” said the alien. “They found us.”

She moved to stand in front of the alien to protect him. She hovered her hand over the Omnitrix, ready to us it if necessary. She heard Manny’s voice.

“Yee-ha,” called Manny.

He sounded like he was having fun. He blasted a gun at the Null Guardians. He was riding a green looking alien beast.

“Ha,” called the alien. “The helpers!”

Something zipped by her. It knocked those that had made it down to eye level. What went by her was blue.

“Eat my dust, doggies,” said Helen.

She stopped.

“Come on,” said Helen. “We don't have much” she saw Renita. “Ren? I knew you'd come.”

Manny on top of his beast floated down to them.

“What are you doing here?” asked Manny.

“I called him,” said Helen. “We need him, Manny.”

“Do not worry,” said Renita. “I can get you back home. Just take my hands, and my friends will pull us-”

“No, Ben,” said Helen. “You don't understand.”

There was a loud screech was heard in the distance.

“It's D'void,” said Manny.

“The Null King is upon us,” said the alien. ‘All is lost.”

“Not yet, old man,” said Manny. ‘Giddyap! Yah, yah!”

He got off his ride and placed the old man alien on to it. He slapped the butt of the beast, and it took off.

“Ren, you need to go, too,” said Helen. “You're too valuable to fall into D'void's hands. We'll act as decoys and lead him away.”

“What?” asked Renita. She was not used to being sidelined. “I am here. I can help you beat this guy.”

“Nobody can beat D'void,” said Manny. “Find The Wrench. Help him.”

The two of them left her there.

“Oh, fine,” said Renita. “I will sit this one out. Yeah, not likely.”

Renita moved to fly from the crater, but she did not get far. Her wire was stuck. She was stuck. She moved to pull on the cord. Manny was firing his guns at the Null Guardians. Helen was running around knocking out the ones she could reach. She used her speed to move from rock to rock.

Manny turned to see the bad guy floating in front of him.

“Who dares defy D'void?” asked the man.

Renita looked at the guy in front of Manny. This guy had a muscular body. His skin was pale yellow. His eyes were solid black, with yellow sclerae. He had shoulder length white hair. Renita knew who that person was. She could not believe that he was inside of the Null Void.

“Dr. Animo?” asked Renita unable to believe her eyes.

A Null Guardian got behind Manny and smacked a tentacle into his back. He slammed into Dr. Animo. Dr Animo grabbed Manny around the neck. Renita needed to get to him to rescue him. She could not allow Dr. Animo to harm her friends.

“What have we here?” asked Dr. Animo. “One of those annoying, little helpers?”

Helen stopped moving and saw the position Manny was in.

“Manny, no!” called Helen.

She moved to attack Dr. Animo. He grabbed her around the neck before she could do any damage.

“There's no help for you, helpers and no hope at all!” said Dr. Animo.

Renita dialed an alien on the Omnitrix. She chose one that she had not been before. It was the Cerabrocrustacean. A large crab like orange being that was almost as smart as a Galvan but had an electrical attack ability. The cord snapped. Renita was free to help.

“Now, tell me, helper, where can I find your leader?” asked Dr. Animo.

“Doesn't matter what you do to us, D'void, we'll never betray The Wrench!” said Manny.

“Perhaps you'll feel differently after watching my pets play tug-of-war with your friend,” said Dr. Animo.

Dr. Animo threw Manny away from him. The Null Guardians went after Manny.

“No!” called out Helen.

“Ugh!” called out Manny.

She flew out to catch Manny. She shocked all of the Null Guardians. They ran away.

“Who dares?” asked Dr. Animo.

“That is not how to tell a joke, miscreant,” said Renita. “First, I say, ‘knock, knock.’ Then you say, ‘who dares?’”

Renita moved closer while holding onto Manny.

“You would mock D'void?” asked Dr. Animo.

“D'void?” asked Renita. “AKA Dr.Animo? I most certainly would mock you. I am doing so now, albeit subtly.”

Renita put Manny down on a rock below Dr. Animo. She moved towards him.

“You know my name, helper?” asked Dr. Animo. “How?”

She grabbed onto the arms of Dr. Animo.

“Although I am generally much too modest to boast, on rare occasions, I do come out of my shell,” said Renita.

She shocked him using an electrical attack. He was forced to let go of Helen.

“Aah!” cried out Dr. Animo.

Helen and Renita landed on a rock.

“It is difficult to believe,” said Renita. “That electro-encephalitic mind blast should have been more than sufficient to render him insensate.”

“Believe it,” said Helen. “Now let's go!”

Helen grabbed Renita and then Manny. She ran away from Dr. Animo and the Null Guardians. Helen brought them to a place with a hut carved from the wall of a rock. Renita returned to her human form. It looked like the two aliens there were farmers, farming on the rock. They were inside when they heard a Null Guardian outside.

The two aliens had something inside of a large crate. One of the Null Guardians took off with it. The other grabbed the youngest one and flew off with the young man.

“Aah!” cried the young man. “Aah!”

“Not my son!” cried the older man. “I've given you everything you've asked for. Don't take my son. Please!”

He slumped to the ground crying at the loss of his son. Renita needed to do something to help.

“Come on,” said Renita. “We have got to help him.”

She made a move to follow the Null Guardians. Something clamped onto her arm.

“No,” said Manny.

“What happened to your -?” asked Renita.

“D'void is too strong to fight,” said Manny.

Manny walked further into the hut.

“What's going on here?” asked Renita.

The farmer walked into his hut to sit in front of the fire.

“Thanks for hiding us,” said Helen. “I'm -- I'm so sorry about your son.”

“D'void takes everything,” said the farmer. “Our only hope is The Wrench and you helpers.”

“Okay, who is The Wrench?” asked Renita. “Come to think of it, who are you? I thought the Null Void was a prison.”

“No, not a prison,” said the farmer. “A penal colony. Long ago, the Galvin created this pocket dimension so they could banish the criminals from the universe itself. To some it was a chance to start again. My ancestors have tilled these asteroids since the beginning.”

“Over time, other worlds discovered the Null Void and started dumping their criminals here, as well,” said Helen.

“But the Galvin had foreseen that problem and created the Null guardians,” said Manny.

“It wasn't an easy life, but it was bearable until he came,” said the farmer. “D'void somehow gained control of the Null guardians. Now he reigns supreme, conscripting anyone -- Everyone -- to dig for cormite in his accursed mines.”

“I have tangled with D'void before,” said Renita. “On my world, he calls himself ‘Dr.Animo,’ and he has the power to control animals. That's how he's controlling the Null guardians.”

“You tangled with D'void?” asked Manny. “How did you survive?”

“Not just survive,” said Renita. “I won. This invulnerability and the whole crazy-strong thing -- all new.”

“Okay, so you take us back to Earth,” said Manny. “We load up on equipment, find some reinforcements, and shut down D'void once and for all.”

“That is not an option,” said Renita. “I lost my tether. There is no way to get my team here to help. And I am stuck here, just like you.”

“Great," said Manny. “Some savior you brought us, Helen. Can't even save himself.”

“Settle down, Manny,” said Helen. “He's fought D'void before. Maybe he can help us. Anyway, that's not for us to decide.”

Helen and Manny led the way. They were taking Renita to see the Wrench. It was a weird name for someone, but she was sure she would understand once speaking to the person in charge. There was something she was missing from this, but she could not put her finger on it.

She was led to an area that had four points that lead to the center of a circle. It was weird to see that it had four access points. This was also not a place she thought anyone would make their home.

“This is where you live?” asked Renita.

“This is where he lives,” said Manny. “We live wherever.”

“Helen!” called a voice from above them. “What have you done?! You brought an outsider here? Nobody gets to see The Wrench. Nobody!”

This person was humanoid teenager, with several spikes coming out of his face and forearms. He had long brown hair, with a white streak in the middle. He wore a short-sleeved green and black jumpsuit, with boots and wrist bands. He was hovering above them using a jet pack to do so.

“She's a friend, Pierce,” said Helen. “I told you. She's the whole reason we came to find you here.”

“Maybe,” said Pierce. “Or maybe this girl's just a shape shifter, showing you what you want to see.”

“Look, if you want to take me to see your boss, fine,” said Renita. “If not, I will find him myself.”

“There's only one way to get to The Wrench,” said Pierce. “Across here” Pierce landed in front of them on the ground, “and through me.”

“Fine by me,” said Renita. She took off her jet pack. Pierce copied her. “Some fight. You are a walking pincushion, and I am empty-handed.”

Pierce raised up an elbow and a spike grew out of his elbow. He pulled it out and tossed it across to Renita. It turned into a doubled edged spear.

“Be my guest,” said Pierce.

Renita caught it out of the air. She spun it around in her hand and pointed one end down with the other up behind her.

“One spike against 300,” said Renita. “You are a real sport, Pierce.”

“And you're dead meat, spy,” said Pierce.

He crossed his arms over each other and grew out the spikes on his sides. He ran at Renita with his arms down at his side. It was like a Naruto run. Pierce tried an upper cut before using a left kick. Renita blocked the upper cut with the spear and dodged to the left of the kick.

She came back up to both the next to spike blows and right kick. He punched the spike with his right hand. He placed a hand on the ground and tried to hit her with his feet through a handstand attack. Renita backed up and bent back to avoid it. She used the spear to knock Pierce off his feet after his feet touched the ground.

He landed on his back. Renita moved to attack. Pierce’s right arm was stuck in the ground. Pierce attacked with his foot, breaking the spear and then breaking off the spikes in his right arm so that he could get up. Renita was left with two broken parts of a spear.

“Great,” said Renita.

Pierce attacked with a right kick. Renita blocked but the damaged spear broke more. He kept attacking her left side until she had nothing to defend that side. His foot slammed into her wrist. That hurt a bit. She shook off her hand after backing up a few feet and to the side.

This fight needed to end soon.

“That was my video-game hand,” said Renita.

She ducked his next blow by sliding underneath his legs to the other side. That put her behind Pierce’s back. She moved to attack him from behind. He extended his back spikes, forcing Renita to dodge. She ended up rolling off the edge of the bridge.

“Aah,” said Renita as she fell.

She stopped herself from falling with her right hand. Pierce walked up to her.

“There's more where that came from,” said Pierce.

Renita dropped the broken spike has had in her right hand.

“Okay, you win,” said Renita.

The two grabbed hands. Pierce helped her back up to the safety of the ground.

“You didn't do too bad,” said Pierce. “At least we know you're human. One of D'void's spies would have mopped the floor with me in a fair fight.”

“Yeah,” said Renita.

She was so not going to tell him; she was going easy on him. That would not make her look good. She needed to speak to the Wrench. This was the only way to do so.

“But he wouldn't have lasted long after,” said Manny.

Manny had been pointing his gun at her. She understood.

“Come on,” said Pierce. “I'll take you to The Wrench.”

Pierce led the way to the middle where a hut had a billow of smoke coming out of the top of it. It looked homey. There was a cloth hanging down in front of it. Pierce pulled it back to allow Renita to walk in first. He stopped her for a second to give her some advice.

“Ah, don't eat anything he offers you,” said Pierce.

The place has a lot of tools and gadgets. It was impressive. At the fire was someone sitting with their back to her. The person had on a brown cloak with a hood over the head of the person. He had his hand on a handle of a pot. The pot was sitting over the fire on a grate.

“Uh, Mr. Wrench, I do not mean to get in the middle of your war, but this whole dimension is destabilizing —” said Renita.

“Why don't you tell me about it over a bowl of my famous centipede gumbo?” asked a very familiar voice as the old man turned and removed his hood to show off his face.

It was Grandpa Max. He was alive. She moved to hug him. She could not believe it. This had been looking like a terrible day but now it was wonderful. Her grandfather was alive. Renita could not want to tell Gwen about it. Grandpa Max hugged her back. They were laughing in happiness. Renita pulled back.

“So, you gonna make me ask?” asked Renita.

“Well, when I detonated that Null-Void grenade, it didn't blast me to kingdom come,” said Grandpa Max. ‘It blasted me here. I meant to come back home, but once I saw how badly these folks were being oppressed.”

“You took it upon yourself to eighty-six Dr. Animo's reign once and for all,” said Renita.

“Yeah, or at least throw a monkey wrench into the machinery,” said Grandpa Max.

“Hence, ‘The Wrench,’” said Renita. “And the helpers -- Plumber's helpers. I just got it.”

“Pierce here helped me round up everyone willing to fight D'void,” said Grandpa Max. “But enough about me. What are you doing here? How did you get here? And how on Earth did Pierce beat you?”

“I kind of let him win,” said Renita.

She looked at him. He looked at her. The spikes on his face extended out.

“You what?” asked Pierce.

“I figured it was the only way you would lead me to The Wrench -- Grandpa Max,” said Renita. “What I have learned is that the Null Void is actually disintegrating.”

“Oh, then it's happening faster than I thought,” said Grandpa Max. “Pierce, gather your team.”

Pierce left. Renita moved to sit down and wait. In came, three aliens that Renita did not recognize along with Manny, Helen and Pierce. They gathered around Grandpa Max. He stood behind a bench.

“This is cormite,” said Grandpa Max.

He held up a shiny golden yellow rock.

“We know that,” said Manny. “Half the Null Voiders are slaving away in D'void's mine, digging the stuff up.”

“What you don't know is why,” said Grandpa Max.

He put the cormite down and pressed a button on a machine. It started moving around in a fast circle. It had two prongs that could hold something inside of it. A hologram of a furnace with a dimensional bore on top of it appear.

“D'void burns the cormite in this furnace, which feeds his dimensional bore, which is literally ripping a hole in the barrier between the two dimensions,” said Pierce.

“D'void wants to escape and bring his army of Null guardians with him to conquer the Earth,” said Helen.

“Guerrilla tactics are no longer an option,” said Pierce. “We have to mount an all-out attack on his citadel.”

Renita walked up to the hologram to stare at it. It all made sense. Dr. Animo probably wanted revenge on her for what she did five years ago. What he did not know was that Renita had gotten stronger in that time too. Much stronger and smarter than Dr. Animo would ever understand. She turned to look at Pierce.

“Why fight our way in when we can hitch a ride?” asked Renita.

“What do you mean?” asked Pierce.

“We know they take stuff from Farmers,” said Renita. “We can hide ourselves inside one of the carts and allow the Null Guardians to bring us to the citadel. That way we can conserve our energy and be able to fight at top form.”

“Good idea,” said Grandpa Max. “I know just the person too. They’ll be ready for pick up soon. Let’s get moving.”

The group went back to that farmer. He allowed them to get into the cart. He placed the bagged stuff on top of them until no one could see them. The Null Guardians appeared as he was placing the last bag on top. One of them grabbed the cart they were inside.

It was not that long of a trip. Renita tried to keep close to Helen because they were the only two girls inside of the cart. Helen might not be uncomfortable with a bunch of men around but Renita was. Grandpa Max stayed near the front as the person leading this had to put themselves forward.

They felt the cart being put down on the ground. Renita heard the Null Guardian flying away from them.

“Now!” yelled Grandpa Max.

Everyone burst out of the cart. Everyone ran forward. Renita looked through her Omnitrix as she ran. She chose the Crystalsapien to turn into. She started blasting the Null Guardians in the air. Renita jumped over one as she blasted it. She could hear the others fighting around her, but she tried not to pay them too much attention.

She could not afford to lose concentration. Grandpa Max landed beside her as she continued to fire at the Null Guardians.

“Ren, here's a path to the bore,” said Grandpa Max. “Pierce, you're with me. We're taking that thing out.”

Renita blasted several of the Null Guardians in front of them. The three of them ran to the center where the furnace and bore stood.

“Nice work, Ren,” said Grandpa Max.

A shadow loomed over them. Renita looked behind her to see Dr. Animo had appeared in the doorway to where the man had set up his home.

“It is not over,” said Renita.

More Null Guardians appeared. Renita shot blasts at them and at Dr. Animo. Dr. Animo was able to block the blasts with his bare hands as he walked down the stairs. That was definitely new.

“Max Tennyson,” said Dr. Animo. “So, you're the mysterious Wrench. And young Ben -- always a pleasure to try and end your miserable, interfering life.”

“Are you still a doctor, Animo?” asked Renita.

She dialed for the Vaxasaurian.

“What?” asked Dr. Animo.

“Because it hurts when I do this,” said Renita. She slammed her fist down on Dr. Animo. He fell through the stairs to the ground in the rumble. Renita bent down to speak to him. “See? I told you it hurts.”

“Give me a moment, and I'll show you real pain,” said Dr. Animo.

Dr. Animo stood up.

“Thanks, anyway,” said Renita. “I will pass.”

Renita stomped on top of Dr. Animo. He grabbed onto Renita and threw her away from him. That did not make sense to her. What had changed?

“It's a shame to have to end this, but I've almost drilled through the dimensional wall, and I have a whole planet to conquer.,” said Dr. Animo.

Renita transformed straight into Cerabrocrustacean.

“Here is a display of electro-cranial power that I know you will get a charge out of,” said Renita.

She attacked him with an electrical attack. It did nothing to him this time. He started walking towards her, laughing at her attack. He kicked her away. She landed a good distance. She transformed back into her human form. Grandpa Max ran over to her. Renita stood up.

“Ren, try Methanosian's methane attack,” said Grandpa Max.

“It is no use, Grandpa,” said Renita. “He is getting stronger. When I fought him outside the citadel, Brainstorm scrambled his eggs. But here,” she watched as something seemed to be flowing into Dr. Animo. “That is it! Hang tight, Grandpa.”

Renita got up and started running for the furnace and drill.

“What are you doing?” asked Grandpa Max.

“Ben Tennyson fleeing before me, The Wrench at my mercy and then a world to conquer,” said Dr. Animo.

“It is Ren Tennyson now,” said Renita. “You need to keep up with the times. And also, it sounds like a busy day. I hope you had a big breakfast.”

“What?” asked Dr. Animo.

“Ren, get away from there.”

“This furnace,” said Renita. “It does not just power the drill. It powers him. That is why he is so much stronger here in his fortress. And that is why it has to go.”

Renita allowed herself to fall backwards into the hole.

“No,” yelled Grandpa Max.

As she fell down the hole, she dialed the Omnitrix to the Necrofriggian.

“Let us see just how cold I can make it,” said Renita looking around as she continued to fall.

“Ren,” called out Grandpa Max.

Renita breathed ice into the fires and up through the machine. The machine made a noise as the ice traveled up the inside of it. The ice ran up the entire machine stopping the drill at the top of it. Snow start falling around everywhere. Her ice was spreading underneath the citadel.

“Impossible!” yelled Dr. Animo. “No!! Noo!!”

Renita rose up on her ice. She saw the Null Guardians flying away. Dr. Animo was on the ground. She returned back to her human form.

“Nice work,” said Renita.

“I did have a big breakfast,” said Grandpa Max.

Renita slid down her ice to land on the ground in front of Grandpa Max. All around them, they were celebrating their win.

“All right!” yelled Manny.

“Way to go!” yelled Helen.

“Pierce, take charge of D'void,” said Grandpa Max. “Helen, Manny, make sure everyone is out of those mines. And keep a lookout for guardians. We've still got a lot of work to —”

Something bright and purple start opening behind Renita. She turned around to see Gwen opening a portal. Her hands appeared first then her head. She was physically opening the portal with her hands.

“Ren!” called Gwen. “Is that you?”

“Gwen!” called Renita. “Check out what I found!”

“Hi, pumpkin,” said Grandpa Max.

“Grandpa!” called out Gwen. The portal almost closed all the way. Gwen pushed it open. “I can barely keep this doorway open. You've got to hurry!”

“You heard her, Grandpa,” said Renita. “Get the helpers. Time to go.”

“I can't go, Ren,” said Grandpa Max. “We have to finish things here. Get those guardians working like they're supposed to. Make sure everyone's safe.”

“Then, I will stay, too,” said Renita. “I can help.”

“The Earth needs you to protect it, Ren,” said Grandpa Max.

“Then, help me,” said Renita. “I need you.”

“Not anymore, Ren,” said Grandpa Max. “You proved that today.”

“I cannot lose you again,” said Renita.

“Never happen,” said Grandpa Max. “We'll find our way back when our work is done here. And, besides, I'm always with you.”

“Ren, hurry!” called Gwen.

Renita reached out to grab her hand. Gwen tried to pull her up but the angle and Renita’s weight while trying to hold open the portal did not make it easier on her. As Gwen struggled another hand came out. It was Kevin. Renita grabbed Kevin’s hand.

“Time to come home, Ren,” said Kevin.

Together, Kevin and Gwen pulled Renita out of the Null Void. Renita hugged Gwen as they both cried happy tears of joy. Grandpa Max was alive. She could not wait to tell Blonko, her parents and Asmodeus. They needed to know about Grandpa Max being alive. It removed the guilt she felt for not doing more to prevent her Grandpa Max from dying.

Chapter Text

The three of them met up in the afternoon. Their plan tonight was to scan the frequencies for any mention of tech above level two. Renita knew it was going to be boring unless they heard something being mentioned. Kevin drove the car around in case they needed to be on the move.

Renita and Gwen were talking about what they could do to support Grandpa Max. While Kevin listened in to the Plumber badge that was scanning for specific words. The day passed them by slowly. Kevin was about to turn the car around and drive them home when something was picked up on the scanner.

“We have just locked up Tyler and are about to ask him where he hid the oscillator key,” said a voice. “We are at the Desert Highway Patrol building.”

“Change of plans,” said Kevin. “We are heading for the Desert Highway Patrol.”

“What is an Oscillator key?” asked Renita.

“Level-Five alien tech,” said Kevin. “Bad news. It might have something to do with the Highbreed.”

“Let’s go,” said Gwen.

Kevin drove the car out onto the highway. Gwen crawled into the back of the car as Kevin continued to drive. There were only two doors on Kevin’s car. They could not pick up another person unless the passenger seat was free. Kevin swerved the car to a stop in the middle of the road. Gwen opened the car door with her mana.

“Get in!” called Renita.

Her head was sticking out from the back seat. A guy wearing a red shirt, blue jacket with black short hair and brown eyes jumped into the car. Renita could see that his pants were black, and shoes were brown with white bottoms. He buckled up his seatbelt. Probably trusting them for the moment.

“Who are you?” asked the guy most likely named Tyler. He was looking at them all.

“I am Renita,” said Renita. “This is Gwen and Kevin.”

“We're here to help you,” said Gwen.

He looked down before placing his hand on her face and pulled down. It hurt having him do that but she hoped it was for a good reason. He then moved to pull at her ear. She placed a hand to her right ear. That really hurt.

“Ow,” said Renita. She rubbed her cheek. “Why did you do that?”

“You'd never believe me,” said Tyler.

“Think, Tennyson,” said Kevin. “Those DNAliens came out of the police station.”

“They must have had ID masks,” said Renita.

“You know about the aliens?” asked Tyler.

“Been scanning for communications that mention any kind of tech above level two,” said Kevin. Kevin held up the Plumber badge that had been used to scan. “Your name came up, Tyler.”

“You know who I am?” asked Tyler.

“Only that somebody back there made a call about you,” said Renita. “Said you have an oscillator key, whatever that is.”

“Level-Five alien tech,” said Kevin.

“And fighting aliens is kind of our specialty,” said Renita.

“Where did you get your hands on alien technology?” asked Gwen.

“I-I don't know,” said Tyler. “Something messed up my memory.”

Tyler pulled out a bass pick.

“What's that, more alien tech?” asked Kevin.

“It is a pick,” said Renita. “A bass pick, to be exact.”

“Are you a musician?” asked Gwen.

“That sounds right, but I-I don't have any clear memories,” said Tyler.

“Well, that helps,” said Kevin. “You stole a hyper-dimensional oscillator key from a Highbreed nest, and oh, you play the bass.”

“Lights off,” said Renita. She was putting upper body between the two front seats.

“Huh?” asked Kevin.

“Do it,” said Renita.

Kevin flipped his car lights off. Down in a ravine was a huge group of DNAliens with flashlights. They were looking for something. Kevin’s car rode over a rock that broke apart. Kevin was quick to pull behind a huge rock to wait out the lights. Once the lights disappeared, Kevin turned his lights back on and moved back to the road to continue driving away.

“They're out in force,” said Renita. “Something big is up.”

“A hyper-dimensional oscillator key is about as big as it gets,” said Kevin. “It's for warping space.”

“I had to steal it away to stop the aliens,” said Tyler.

“From doing what?” asked Renita.

“It'll come to me,” said Tyler.

“Helpful,” said Kevin.

“You guys, we do have one advantage,” said Gwen. “They may need it, but they don't know where it is.”

“I do,” said Tyler.

He directed Kevin to the area where he had ditched the Oscillator Key. Kevin parked the car. Renita led the way down into the ravine. The group made their way deeper into the ravine. Renita’s flashlight lit up a tire separated from the rest of the vehicle. It then came upon the trailer and the truck.

“I ditched it over here,” said Tyler.

“Nice job parking, slick,” said Kevin.

“You can't see it from the road,” said Tyler. “Driving a truck isn't easy.”

“Neither is keeping a piece of equipment this size from the aliens,” said Gwen. “I'm still wondering about that.”

She used her mana to open the back of the trailer. It revealed what looked like several large drawers. Renita dialed her Omnitrix to the Crystalsapien. The change happened swiftly. Renita was ready to figure out what was going on.

“What are you people?” asked Tyler.

“Get used to it,” said Kevin.

“Let me speed this up a bit,” said Renita.

She used power from the Crystalsapien to create a hole in the trailer after the drawers, hoping they there not long or even drawers at all. There was something inside and it looked big, but she could not see it well.

“Now let us have a look at this oscillator key,” said Renita.

She climbed into the trailer, using her powers to shine a light around. She noticed a huge looking metal thing at the front of the truck bed. Out popped several DNAliens. They rushed her, trying to catch her off guard.

“Oh, man,” said Renita.

Renita was surrounded by them. She tried to dodge them but there were too many of them inside the truck. How come the DNAliens did not know where this truck was if there were so many of them inside of it? That did not make sense.

“Tennyson?” called Kevin

One of them threw her out of the truck. She landed on the ground. She got up on one knee. Why did these life-forms throw her around so much. She really needed to start using her Revonnah Kai on them. Who cared if one of them got hurt. It would stop them from being able to hurt her.

“DNAliens,” said Renita.

They jumped out of the trailer landing on the ground.

“Protect the key,” said one of them.

They ran after Renita. Renita was grabbed by two of them. She struggled to get them to release her, but they kept puking on her with their goo. One walked up to them, Gwen hit it in the back of the head. She started fighting them. Renita watched as two crowded Tyler. Kevin absorbed the truck bed’s metal.

“We are much stronger than you, human,” said one of them that had Gwen trapped. “Much, much stronger.”

“Yeah?” asked Renita. “Well, body odor isn't everything.”

She picked them up and slammed them away from her. Renita finally got the DNAliens off from her. It was time to fight back. One of them had a container.

“You're coming with us,” said the one with the container. He opened the container and a Xenocite jumped out at Renita.

“Got it,” said Tyler.

Renita was coughing as she struggled to take the Xenocite off from her head. She stopped when she realized nothing was going to happen to her. She should have figured the Crystalsapien would be immune to the Xenocites.

“Indestructible, super-dense silicon guys,” said Renita. “Nice try, though.”

She threw the Xenocite away from her. Renita started blasting the ones in front of her. She knocked the rest of them down. She looked up to see Kevin being pried open by two different DNAliens while a few of them held onto him. Renita blasted all of them away and ran up to Kevin.

“You, okay?” asked Renita.

“Ugh, no,” said Kevin.

“You're it, guy,” said Gwen. There was one DNAlien still on its feet. “Last monster standing.”

“Scum,” it said. “There are countless others.”

It ran to a truck and got into it. The truck was started up. The DNAliens around them all got up and fled into the back of the truck. Two of them closed the door as the truck sped away. Since when was that truck there?

“Let them go,” said Renita.

“Right,” said Gwen. She released her mana. “It's the big key we're after.”

Renita returned to her human form. Kevin released the metal covering his body. Tyler turned to look at Renita. She rolled her shoulders trying to relieve the slight ache in them that her mana had not healed yet. She could not wait to use her powers in full one day.

“Renita, I got it,” said Tyler. “The aliens, not these, the other ones in charge.”

“Highbreed, the big ones,” said Kevin.

“Yeah,” said Tyler. “They're building a dimensional gateway in Los Soledad.”

“Where are they going?” asked Renita.

“Not going - coming,” said Tyler. “The whole Highbreed fleet's gonna invade and destroy the Earth! I remember!”

“Yeah, and I think I know why you remember,” said Renita.

She reached up and grabbed the ID Mask that had been over Tyler’s face. She dropped it to the ground. There stood a DNAlien before them. It made sense. How else would he have had the key? He must have had his human memories knocked free.

“You are a DNAlien,” said Renita.

He walked up to the truck mirror and tore it off. He looked into the mirror to see his face. It must be a surprise to him. He was wearing his ID mask that made him look like his real self. This was what he was turned into, and he might not remember seeing it in his jumbled memories.

“A DNAlien?” asked Tyler. “Me?”

“No way a regular guy could go through a wreck like that without being hurt,” said Renita.

He destroyed the mirror. “But I'm a regular guy,” said Tyler.

“They all are at first,” said Renita. ‘The Highbreed use us lesser creatures to do their dirty work.”

Kevin stepped on a Xenocite, killing it. “They manufacture these xenocite things,” said Kevin. “Slap one on your face, and your humanity gets overwritten with DNAlien code.”

“And suddenly you are not you anymore,” said Renita. “They took over a whole town that way, Los Soledad.”

“We thought we lost our Grandpa Max, and nearly lost my brother,” said Gwen.

“We were there a few weeks ago,” said Renita. “We thought we destroyed whatever they were building. At least slowed them down.”

“Not by much,” said Tyler.

“Somehow you got the big key away,” said Renita.

“I was supposed to take it,” said Tyler.

“I wondered how you got it away from them,” said Gwen.

“But I'm one of them,” said Tyler.

“No,” said Renita. “You have been fighting the reprogramming the whole time.”

“Which means they're all fighting back,” said Gwen. “Somehow you managed to reverse it on your own. That's what we have to do with those others.”

“But first we need to get the oscillator key out of here,” said Kevin.

“Yeah, they will be back with reinforcements,” said Renita. “We could use your help.”

“Don't worry about me,” said Tyler. He walked back. “I'm a monster. Save the rest of them.”

He jumped onto the truck and tore into it. He revealed the Oscillator Key. The key was huge. There was no way they were going to be able to move that without help. Renita might be able to move it with her mana if Gwen helped but she was trying to lay low.

“Mr. Healthy outlook,” said Gwen.

Gwen used her mana to pick it up. She was grunting and straining. Did she not know it was too heavy for her to lift on her own. Sometimes, Gwen overestimated her strength. Renita needed to stomp that out of her. Though, it might be because Renita did things that Gwen never thought possible.

“You guys,” said Gwen.

Renita dialed her Omnitrix to the Vaxasaurian. He grabbed her mana and started dragging it. They made it up the hill. Renita was struggling to drag the Oscillator key up over the cliff edge. They finally made it to the top. Gwen still had it by her mana.

“Drive alongside,” said Renita. “I will drag it.”

“The glow's gonna attract attention,” said Kevin.

“And a tuning fork the size of a building will not?” asked Renita. “The clock's running.”

Gwen released her mana. A huge spaceship showed up above them. A blue beam came down to the ground. As the spaceship moved towards them, the beam moved with it. Renita pumped herself up some more to gain more strength and shields on her arms and legs with spikes popping out of her tail.

“Head for cover,” said Renita cracking her knuckles.

She was ready for this fight. These Highbreed were getting on her nerves, and it was time to put a stop them. Who did they think they were? Trying to take over her planet? Not while she was around to protect it.

“That's not a weapon,” said Kevin. “It's a tractor beam.”

The group ran away. Renita picked up the Oscillator key. They ran back down into the ravine. The beam moved sideways. Gwen created a large circle shield to stop the beam of landing on them. Renita had placed the Oscillator key down.

“Haa,” said Gwen.

She was struggling to keep the beam away. Several DNAliens jumped down with guns. They started firing them at the shield to break it. Tyler ran out from behind the shield to attack them but shooting goo at several of them. A few aimed at Tyler. Renita picked him up.

“Look,” said Tyler. “I'm finished either way.”

“No,” said Renita. “No sacrifices.”

“Can't do this all night,” said Gwen straining.

He placed Tyler down behind the shield again. This was going to be struggle but she knew what she had to do. Which life-form would be best to attack? They needed all the advantage they could get in this fight to keep that key from the Highbreed.

“Keep them off, Gwen,” said Renita.

She shifted into the Aerophibian. She flew up around the beam. She was going to try and take out the tractor beam. It posed the most threat to them right now. More DNAliens appear on the ship edge to shot at Renita. She used her ray to destroy a part of the ship then she took out a huge gun manned by a DNAlien.

Renita blasted her way inside of the ship. There was one of the DNAlien standing inside of that area. It was perfect. She did not have to fight that many of them to stop the tractor beam. She pinned down a DNAlien that happened to be there.

“How do I shut off the tractor beam?” asked Renita.

It made a noise and more DNAliens came around the corner with guns. She used her rays to shoot at them. She blasted them out of the ship. She flew out of the ship and around it. When Renita came around, she saw Tyler and the Oscillator key going up the tractor beam.

“Tyler,” said Renita.

“Tennyson, shoot the mirror,” called Kevin.

Renita looked between the three choices she had. She swooped into the beam and grabbed Tyler. She flew to the ground and placed him down. Renita watched as the Oscillator key went into the ship. The ship doors closed, and it sped off with the Oscillator key.

“There has got to be another way to win,” said Renita.

“What's wrong with you?” asked Kevin.

“I'm really not sure about your choice, Ren,” said Gwen.

The two approached them. Renita knew they were going to be mad at her. But what did they expect? Heroes did not allow civilians or otherwise get hurt if they could help it. Saving people was the reason heroes existed in the first place.

“No sacrifices,” said Rentia.

Renita returned to her human form. She dared them to say something about that. She knew the risk and took it. They knew where the Highbreed were building their gate. It was only a matter of time before they stormed it and stopped them from completing their plan.

“No save the world,” said Kevin.

He returned to his normal state. He crossed his arms in a defensive manner. Why did they not trust her judgment. Gwen was glaring at her. Tyler was standing there with his head hanging low. None of them understood.

“We lose twice,” said Tyler. “They're going to finish that gateway and invade, and I'm this thing. It's over.”

“See?” said Renita. “That is what you do not get.”

Renita placed her hand on his head. The voice spoke to her about correcting the DNA of the human in front of her. She told it to fix Tyler. After all, if she could free at least human from their control, she would consider it a win.

“Aah,” said Tyler. “What are you-”

The Omnitrix flashed and beeped several times before a green light overtook Tyler. Renita dropped the Xenocite to the ground. The Omnitrix’s ability was a little intense when she did things like that but at least she regained the energy quickly.

“Genetic damage repaired,” said Renita.

Gwen pulled out her small make-up mirror, opened it and gave it to Tyler. He smiled as saw himself. It was a good thing Renita knew how to do that or else he might have tried to end his life after they left him alone. Not something she wanted to weigh on her conscious.

“This is really me, and I-I can remember it all,” said Tyler as he looked into the mirror. “I grew up in Evanston, and I was in glee club in high school.”

“And you play the bass?” asked Kevin.

“I do,” said Tyler.

The Xenocite hissed. Tyler stomped on it, killing it. He got his revenge. Renita hoped to get her own revenge one day. For now, she needed to concentrate on stopping the Highbreed from invading.

“It is never hopeless,” said Renita. “We know what the Highbreed are doing and where they are gonna do it.”

Renita with Kevin and Gwen flanked on either side of them walk away from Tyler a few feet. Renita looked up to the sky. The ship was long gone with the key but she was not worried.

“And we know who is gonna stop them,” said Renita.

Chapter Text

Today had been a good day for Renita. She had a good day at school. There had been no reports of Highbreeds and DNAliens on the move. Today, she got to play a game of soccer with her classmates. She was dressed in her uniform and running drills before they started up their friendly game of soccer.

“Ah, I am all warmed up,” said Renita. “It is game time!”

Renita tossed the soccer ball back to her teammate.

“I'm afraid the time for games has passed, my friend,” said Professor Paradox.

“Professor Paradox?” asked Renita.

“And one other,” said Professor Paradox. Azmuth came out from behind Professor Paradox. That did not spell good news to her. “Come with me.”

“Hey guys,” called out Renita. “I need to go. Something huge just came up and I need to take care of it.”

“Ah, man,” said one of his classmates. “Just when you got the time to hang with us too.”

“I know,” said Renita. “We will have to meet up soon. Have fun.” She turned to look at Professor Paradox. “Shall we go?”

The group walked to an area with little visibility. They teleported to Mr. Smoothy where Professor Paradox left to go get Kevin and Gwen. They two came and Kevin even had his car with him. In the time that they had been gone, Renita had gotten a smoothie. She needed something to drink after her little workout and wanted to be hydrated in case she did not get another change to drink something later.

“What's so important that I have to miss the auto show?” asked Kevin.

“The imminent destruction of your primitive world and all who live here,” said Azmuth.

“But if you'd rather go look at a new convertible, by all means,” said Gwen.

“Professor?” asked Renita.

“The Highbreed attack has already begun,” said Professor Paradox.

“We know,” said Renita. “We've been fighting them for weeks.”

“The situation has escalated,” said Azmuth. “They have conquered my home world, the only planet with the technology to fight them head-on.”

“And their next target?” asked Renita

“Earth,” said Professor Paradox.

“The Highbreed attack plan has worked on a dozen worlds,” said Azmuth. “They send a small number of Highbreed to the target planet.”

“Then infiltrate the locals by turning them into DNAlien slaves,” said Professor Paradox.

“And use the slaves to build a jump gate,” said Kevin.

“Correct,” said Azmuth. “A hyperspace jump gate is an interstellar shortcut allowing the Highbreed to send warships across the galaxy in a matter of seconds.”

“The three of us could barely take down one of their ships,” said Renita.

“The ship you defeated wasn't a warship,” said Professor Paradox. “It was a small cruiser.”

“That is encouraging,” said Renita.

“No force on this planet could stand against even a single Highbreed warship,” said Azmuth. “They will send hundreds.”

“Yeah, okay, we get it,” said Kevin. “We're hosed.”

“Unless we stop them before they complete the hyperspace jump gate,” said Professor Paradox.

“It should be simple enough to find, even if they cloak it,” said Azmuth.

“It would have to be someplace with an enormous supply of quartz crystal, to stabilize the matter - transmission frequency,” said Professor Paradox.

“You mean like the abandoned quartz mine in Los Soledad?” asked Gwen.

“Where we saw DNAliens building a giant arch,” said Renita.

“So we know where we got to go, and we know what we got to do,” said Kevin.

“Direct approach,” suggested Gwen.

“Sure,” said Renita. Renita pulled off her soccer shirt and slipped on her jacket that had been in the bag she had brought with her to the soccer field. “Direct but not stupid. We have met a bunch of Plumbers' kids with superpowers, and a lot of them owe us favors. I say we call them in.

“May I suggest you send our teammates out for that job,” said Azmuth.

“Why?” asked Renita.

“I would have a word with the wielder of my Omnitrix,” said Azmuth. “In private.”

“Right,” said Kevin. “Like I am going to miss this. See you when you get back Gwen.”

“Kevin Ethan Levin,” said Gwen grabbing his hand. “You are coming with us right now.”

“Ethan,” said Renita. “Your name is Kevin E. Levin. You just lost all pretension of cool.”

“You promised you’d never tell,” said Kevin.

“Humans are not the brightest species in the galaxy,” said Azmuth. “So, I ask you again, do you fully understand the risks you are taking?”

“I understand,” said Renita. “The Highbreed want to take over the Earth.”

“The Highbreed want to destroy the Earth,” said Azmuth. “If you lose this war, it's the end of humanity.”

“Then I will not lose,” said Renita.

“Your foolish disregard of the enormity of the odds against you is precisely why I cannot allow you to take the Omnitrix into battle,” said Azmuth. “I have told you that the secret of the Omnitrix is it allows you to walk a mile in the shoes of other life-forms. This is not the complete truth.”

“You lied to me?” asked Renita.

“I withheld portions of the truth from you until such time as you were ready,” said Azmuth.

“And I am ready now?” asked Renita.

“No,” said Azmuth. “But circumstances forced my hand. The Omnitrix is the last hope of alien species destroyed by the Highbreed.”

“How is it supposed to —,” asked Renita.

“I have stored within it, DNA samples of every intelligent life-form in the milky way galaxy,” said Azmuth.

“Ten thousand of them,” said Renita. “That is the number I know.”

“As I'm continually forced to point out, you know very little. There are over one million samples encoded in the Omnitrix.”

“A million?” said Renita.

“And with the Omnitrix, you have the power to return to life any species that the Highbreed exterminates including the human race.”

“I will not let the Highbreed —,” said Renita.

“If you are destroyed with the Omnitrix, there is no hope for humanity, nor for any other race the Highbreed extinguish afterwards,” said Azmuth. “The Omnitrix is Noah's ark, and you are Noah. I cannot allow you to participate in the final battle.”

Renita sat inside of the car, placing Azmuth down inside of it as well. She needed a minute to absorb the information that has just been dumped onto her. She was carrying an arch upon her wrist. She was considered Noah by Azmuth. God, she felt weird about it. She could revive an entire species if destroyed.

“Sorry, Azmuth, but I do not buy your argument,” said Renita. “The Earth needs to be saved, and I am the only one that can do it.”

“I won't allow it,” said Azmuth.

“How could you stop me?” asked Renita.

“I'll take the Omnitrix from you,” said Azmuth.

“You will try,” said Renita.

“Very well,” said Azmuth. “If you insist on this foolishness, perhaps it's best if you have the full power of the Omnitrix. Access master control.”

“Master control unlocked,” said the Omnitrix.

“Everything is unlocked?” asked Renita. “How many aliens can I turn into?”

“One million nine hundred and three genetic samples available,” said the Omnitrix.

“The Omnitrix's menus are arranged in sets of 10 for simplicity's sake,” said Azmuth. “But with voice command, you can --"

“Got it,” said Renita.

This was good. She would be able to do what was needed without being restricted by a number. Renita could not believe that there were over a million species in the world. So many that were counting on her to keep their species alive with evening knowing about it.

A knock on the window interrupted their conversation. Renita turned to see Kevin leaning down to look inside of the car. She rolled down the window.

“Get out of my seat, Tennyson,” said Kevin.

“We brought some help,” said Gwen.

Renita got out of the car and looked to see Alan standing beside Professor Paradox. Cooper was inside of a huge metal machine, standing beside him was Julie and then Darkstar. What a team gathered. She hoped they will all be useful to this mission. They needed to win.

“Hi, Ren,” said Julie waving her fingers.

“Julie what are you doing here?” asked Renita as she walked over to her.

“You need help,” said Julie.

“And you can help how?” asked Renita.

Julie whistled. “Here, ship,” called Julie.

Ship ran up to her bouncing in happiness.

“Ship, ship,” said Ship. He started to grow. “Ship, ship. Ship, ship. Ship.” He turned into that huge spaceship with weapons attached to it.

“Oh,” said Renita. “Okay. Let us go.”

Renita, Gwen, and Darkstar got into the backseat of Kevin’s Car. Alan was already in his Pryonite form and could fly. Azmuth and Professor Paradox got a ride from Julie inside of Ship. Cooper used his large machine to walk to Los Soledad. It was time for them to go to war with the Highbreed and DNAlien once and for all.

Once they arrived just inside of the deserted city boarders, everyone got out of Ship and Kevin’s car.

“Why are we stopping here?” asked Darkstar.

“It's a cloaking field,” said Cooper.

“Once we go inside, it's on,” said Kevin. He absorbed the metal from his car.

“Okay, nothing fancy,” said Renita. Oh, how she wished Blonko was here. “We go in, we destroy the hyperspace jump gate, we capture any Highbreed we can find. That is it.” Renita moved to activate her Omnitrix but stopped. “One more thing. Whatever we were before, today we are a team. We look out for each other. We win or lose together.”

Renita lifted her arm with the Omnitrix up and picked her life-form. She pushed down on it and transformed into the Arburian Pelarota. It felt great to be in this form again. It had been years since she had been able to access this form. She was glad that Azmuth had given her master control.

The Arburian Pelarota was a hulking, broad-shouldered life-form covered in natural, yellow armored-shell plating on her back, shoulders, thighs/hips, and forearms. She was mostly white with black on her upper half and had four claws on both of her hands for fingers. She was covered in fur across the thickest parts of her body, while every other part except for her elbows and knees was short fur.

“Haven’t seen her for a while,” said Gwen.

“What can I say?” asked Renita. “I am feeling nostalgic.”

She walked forward, leading her team into the cloaking field. They needed to win. The first thing Renita noticed; it was cold then she noticed it was snowing. Snowing in the desert. What a weird thing to see? She knew it was because of the weather machines they had built to make it cold and snow. But still, why did they decide to do all of this in a desert?

“They’ve been busy,” said Kevin from inside of his car.

Why did he drive his car into the cloaking field?

“Snow?” asked Darkstar.

“The aliens like it cold,” said Gwen walking forward. “I should’ve brought a jacket.”

“I have a feeling it is going to get pretty hot in here,” said Renita.

They spotted a group of DNAliens walking not far from them. They were carrying something in between the six of them. They dropped what they had been carrying and started making screeching noises to alert all others to their presence. It did not take long for a massive group of DNAliens presented themselves in front of Renita’s team.

Darkstar got them started by using his dark energy to blast into the charging group of DNAliens. Renita tucked her arms and legs inside of herself turning into a sphere. When she turned into a sphere, she rolled up into a ball, with her backplates and the plates on her arms covering her.

Her sphere form had semi-circular stripes across her body, with black lines around the circular plates, and her side plates were the plates on her arms. She rolled into the downed DNAliens. She knew it was hurting the humans underneath the Xenocites but there was nothing she could do about it right now.

She flexed out and smacked several of them down. As she ran forward, her large body dodging the laser blasts from their guns. She rolled forward, running knocking them out of her way. Their goal was to get to the huge hyper-jump gate. Renita spotted Darkstar rising into the air, taking the energy from the DNAliens.

She rolled to where he was and stopped.

“Yes,” said Darkstar.

“No,” said Renita. “Stop hurting them.”

“This is a battle,” said Darkstar. She knew that. He had reverted back to how he looked the first time they had meet, into a handsome young man. “We do what we must to survive.”

“These are human beings, Michael,” said Renita. “They are under DNAlien control. We take them down, not out. Understand?”

“You're a fool, Ben,” said Darkstar. He stopped absorbing their energy and reverted back to his dried-up husk of a form. “What would you do -- cure them?”

“Actually, that's not a bad idea,” said Renita. “Omnitrix, revert DNAliens to human.”

She touched her Omnitrix, and it started to glow green before a green beam enveloped one of the DNAliens. Their body became green before it turned to stone color. It broke apart leaving behind a human. She leaned over in exhaustion. That took a lot out of her. She knew it was the energy she used for her human form but still.

“Genetic damage repaired,” said the Omnitrix.

“Again,” said Renita. “As many as we can.”

The green beam hit several people at once, releasing them from the Xenocites. More DNAliens came after her and they too were hit with the green beam. The green beam stopped, and Renita collapsed to her hands and knees. If only she could use her mana to its full capabilities while using the Omnitrix.

“Warning, energy reserves depleted,” said the Omnitrix. “Cycling to recharge mode.”

“Ugh,” said Renita. “Again.”

She collapsed all the way to the ground in the cold snow. Before she lost complete consciousness, she felt the Omnitrix de-transform her. She hoped her team would not allow anything to happen to her.

Renita felt something patting her back. “Ren are you okay?” asked Gwen’s voice.

Something patted her head. “Wake up,” said Kevin’s voice. “As much as you need your beauty sleep, now's not a good time.”

She was lifted upwards using both her arms. Renita shook her head. Her energy was quickly replacing the depleted energy the Omnitrix took from her.

“What happened?” asked Renita.

She had an idea on what happened to her, but she was more worried about the battlefield. She hoped they could tell her if she was out for too long and how well they were doing. Renita stood up.

“You misused the power of the Omnitrix,” said Azmuth.

Renita turned to look at Azmuth on the shoulder of Professor Paradox.

“I was helping people,” said Renita.

“You were wasting power in a pointless exercise,” said Azmuth. Renita frowned at what he was saying. She did not feel that it was a pointless exercise.

“Good intentions, Ren, but in matters like this, timing is everything,” said Professor Paradox. He opened his pocket watch to look at it.

“What do you mean?” asked Renita.

“It will come to you,” said Professor Paradox.

“Are you saying I cannot use the Omnitrix to cure the DNAliens?” asked Renita as she looked at her watch. The red color showed that it needed to charge before she could use it again. She had not seen that since putting the watch back on her wrist when she returned to Earth.

“Now that I've seen how you do it, maybe you don't have to,” said Cooper.

Cooper’s eyes and body started glowing blue along with the huge robot he was controlling. It broke apart. Cooper guided certain parts to be put together, making enough for everyone to have a gun like weapon. The weapons floating in a circle. He stood on top of the rest of the broken machine panting for breath.

It must have taken a lot out of him to create these things.

“What are those?” asked Renita.

Cooper grabbed one and shot a green beam at a DNAlien that Kevin was currently fighting. It enveloped her and turned her back into a human. The woman fell and Kevin grabbed her so that she wouldn’t get hurt hitting the ground. Kevin turned to look at Cooper and the gun in his hand.

“Oh, I like that,” said Kevin.

“One shot will revert a DNAlien to human,” said Cooper.

Gwen grabbed one of the floating guns. “And it won't hurt them?” she asked.

“They'll wake up with a little headache,” said Cooper as he took another shot at another DNAlien.

Kevin grabbed two and everyone else grabbed one. Renita turned into the Aerophibian and grabbed the last two. She flew up into the air and started shooting those in front of her. She swooped down and dropped her guns. She had a better plan. She transformed mid-flight into the Methanosian. She landed on the ground, using her fire to create a smooth landing and to blast the DNAliens off their feet.

She used her fire to launch herself into the air. She flew to an area and launched seeds into the ground. She made them grow into vines that wrapped around several different DNAliens, trapping them. This allowed the others to de-transform them with the guns. They were making their way through the several DNAliens with much better ease.

Renita continued to use her fire to knock those in front of her off their feet. It was easier for the others it they didn’t have to fight that many of them while shooting their guns to de-transform them. Renita looked up to see a red laser beam was heading straight for her. She jumped up into the air and transformed into the Murk Gourmand.

This form was a vaguely humanoid amoeba-like creature with swampy-green skin, a tanned stomach and muzzles, black sprouts and black-green spots on her tail, limbs, and back. Her eyes were sharp and green, she had whisker-like lines, her teeth were more aligned with visibly sharp canine teeth and her tail was short and straightened.

She ate the red laser and then spit it back at the DNAlien that shot it at her first. It landed with an explosion against the weather structure. Renita allowed herself to fall back to the ground. After she landed, she saw that the jump gate was had red spots showing up along it. It seemed to be crackling with energy.

“Guys, the jump gate's powering up,” said Gwen.

“What do we do now?” asked Alan.

“We break it,” said Kevin.

Kevin tossed aside his guns and ran to the jump gate. He jumped up and towards it, slamming his fists into it. He was thrown back. He landed on the ground. He sat up.

“Ugh,” said Kevin. “Not a scratch.”

Gwen, Professor Paradox with Azmuth on his shoulder approached Kevin. Cooper had followed Gwen.

“What's it made of?” asked Kevin.

“Neutronium carbon alloy,” said Professor Paradox.

Gwen helped Kevin to stand up as Professor Paradox moved closer to the jump gate.

“Dude, that was totally, what's that word?” said Kevin.

“Rhetorical,” said Gwen.

“Yeah,” said Kevin. “That.”

Renita walked forward. “Everybody, hit it together,” said Renita. “On three.” She knew the others were still gathering around. She wanted to give them enough time to be prepared for the attack. “One, two, three.”

They all launched their attacks. Renita used her burping attack, launching acid from her stomach in a ball. She could only shoot one at a time and had to keep burping to launch more. After a few seconds, everyone stopped attacking to see if they had done any damage to it. When the smoke cleared, they could all see that nothing had happened.

“Nothing,” said Darkstar.

“We're too weak,” said Cooper.

“Maybe not,” said Renita.

She pushed the Omnitrix to transform. She had picked her tallest form. The To'kustar form. Her To'kustars was a gigantic humanoid creature with four-fingered hands and extremely muscular bodies that was white for her body, face, limbs, and hands with details such as her torso and legs stripes, shoulder spots, stum-like feet, head and shoulder blades in red.

She bent down to grab at the base of the jump gate. She started pulling it upwards.

“It's working, Ren,” said Gwen. “Keep trying.”

“Back away,” yelled Professor Paradox. “It's about to. . .”

It turned on. Renita was zapped back, forcing her to let go. She fell backwards, trying her best to avoid hitting her team. She landed on her butt then fell further back until her back and head hit the ground. Renita hoped her team was safe. That hurt! She watched as ships emerged from the jump gate.

She lost the battle for her consciousness just as the Omnitrix de-transformed her again.

Chapter Text

Renita regained consciousness slowly at first. When she opened her eyes and saw the several ships moving forward far above her. She jolted upright, completely conscious once more. She saw her team above her from the huge crater that the To'kustar had made when it had fallen backwards.

They made their way down to her. Gwen held out her hand to help Renita stand up.

“We're too late,” said Gwen.

“It's never too late,” said Renita. “New plan.” She started thinking about what they could do to stop this invasion that would destroy Earth. She noticed them all staring at her. “Working on it.”

“That's reassuring,” said Kevin.

“I have it,” said Renita. “We break into the Highbreed control room and force the Highbreed captain to make his ships retreat.”

“That's your big plan?” asked Darkstar.

“How many times have I beaten you?” asked Renita.

“Twice, but just at this moment, I can't imagine how,” said Darkstar.

“The main control tower will be the most heavily guarded building in the city,” said Azmuth.

“Precisely my point,” said Darkstar. “How do you propose to get inside?”

“Leave it to me,” said Kevin.

Kevin had Renita and Gwen get into his car. Was he a genius or dumb? Renita could not figure it out.

“We're gonna drive to the control tower?” asked Gwen.

“Uh-huh,” said Kevin.

He pushed a huge circular button on his steering. The whole dashboard lit up like the Galvanic Mechamorphs. The ceiling started to light up just the same.

“When did you get all this stuff?” asked Renita.

“When didn't I?” asked Kevin. “Every time we found some alien tech, I tossed it in the trunk and whenever I have free time. . .”

“You work on the car,” said Gwen.

“Yep,” said Kevin.

The car had transformed into something akin to an armored truck. The doors moving to act as shields for the side windows. He pressed on the gas, moving them towards the command tower. The DNAliens that were left began shooting at them. Kevin pushed a button on his steering wheel and his car started firing back.

A huge trailer was driven into their way.

“You are not going to stop, are you?” asked Renita.

“Nope,” said Kevin.

He pushed another button and missiles launched from their chambers above the roof. It blasted into the trailer. Gwen covered the car with her mana to protect them from the fire blast. The car was launched into the air. They landed back on the ground safely. Gwen stopped using her mana to protect the car. It was a harsh landing.

“And this is why we always wear our seatbelts,” said Renita because of the way she was roughing tossed around in the backseat even with her seatbelt on.

“Nobody likes a backseat driver,” said Kevin.

The ships above them started launching an attack at the car. Kevin had to take evasive maneuvers to avoid the blasts. Kevin launched more missiles into a building to give them a way inside. When they burst out of the building, the control tower was in front of them. Kevin stopped the car there. Everyone got out of the car.

“Run to the control room,” said Renita. “Then we fight.”

“I was afraid you were gonna say that,” said Kevin.

He leaned into the car and pushed one more button. The car drove forward on its own and started attacking. The three of them started running to the building.

“That'll hold them for a while,” said Kevin.

Renita started running up the stairs that would lead to the inside of the control tower.

“The Highbreed have starships, and they haven't invented the elevator?” asked Gwen.

They reached the top of the stairs. Kevin touched the door to absorb the metal.

“It is hero time,” said Renita.

She chose to transform into the Methanosian. She used her fire to melt the door open for them. They ran inside once the door was gone.

“Tennyson,” said the Highbreed Commander. “That is, you, isn't it? All of you lesser species look alike to me.”

“Yes, yes,” said Renita. “You are all superior and pure-blooded, and we are all maggots. Do not have time for that today.”

“Do not mock me, Tennyson,” said the Highbreed Commander. “You can die quickly with the rest of your insignificant race, or slowly at my hands.”

“Or, I was thinking, not at all,” said Renita. “Call it off.”

“Foolish children,” said the Highbreed Commander. “Enough of this. Destroy the other two. Leave Ren 10 to me.”

The DNAliens launched themselves at Gwen and Kevin. Renita ran towards the Highbreed Commander. He punched Renita in the head, destroying it. That hurt.

“No,” yelled Gwen.

“So, it ends,” said the Highbreed Commander. “Just as your grandfather destroyed himself trying to defeat me, so you, too, will fall at my. . .”

Renita reformed her head. Getting her head destroyed hurt.

“I am kind of mad now,” said Renita.

She launched a flame out of both her hands at the Highbreed Commander, pushing him back. This gave her the chance to stand up and chase after him with her flames. Renita ran up to the Highbreed Commander and punched him. She was smacked away. Renita felt it as Gwen tapped into her full Anodite mana powers.

She sucked in a breath at the feel of another Anodite. It felt good to be bathed in the mana waves of a powerful Anodite. One that could not control her waves unlike their Grandmother Verdona or Mama. Renita still had some trouble controlling hers but at least she did not have it on full blast.

That distraction gave the Highbreed Commander the chance to slug her several times. She fell to the ground after being hit one too many times. Why did it hurt so much? She was so tired of being hurt. Renita was going to put this Highbreed Commander in his place.

“You're finished, insect,” said the Highbreed Commander.

“Not quite,” said Renita.

She allowed the Omnitrix to de-transform her. She removed her human form and allowed her mana to lift her up into the air. Using her vast mana reserves she wrapped him up in several purple vines to the point that the Highbreed Commander could not move. She knew this was a risky move to make but she was riding high from Gwen’s mana waves that she had a hard time stopping.

“Now I am finished,” said Renita. She floated up to be eye level with the Highbreed Commander. “And as soon as you give the order, the whole invasion's over.”

The Highbreed Commander started laughing.

“You think this is funny?” asked Kevin.

“I don't have the authority to call off the invasion,” said the Highbreed Commander. “Only the Highbreed supreme could end the attack. And he is beyond your reach, safe on the home world.”

“Well, at least things can't get any worse,” said Kevin.

At that moment several DNAliens ran into the room with guns in their hands. Kevin just had to jinx them by speaking.

“Oh, Amber Ogia,” said Renita.

“I'll try shoving them back with the shield,” said Gwen. She prepared to do just that. “Maybe we can. . .”

That was when we heard someone hitting the DNAliens from behind them. They started flying into the air.

“One side, alien freaks,” said Manny. “You're in my way.”

Manny was running through the crowd of DNAliens.

“Manny,” said Gwen.

“Hey, Gwen,” said Manny.

He threw some DNAliens away from him before running towards their small group. Just then a wind whipped through the air, guns started disappearing from the DNAliens hands. Helen stopped in front of them, dropping all the guns she had collected. Pierce jumped into the air, sending out his spikes and destroyed the guns. He landed beside Manny.

“Helen and Pierce,” said Renita. “But that means. . .”

“How's it going, kids?” asked Grandpa Max as he flew in through the hole Gwen had made riding one of the Guardians. He landed the Guardian and got off from it. Renita removed the purple vines from her mana, embedding them into the floor before replacing her human skin. She ran towards Grandpa Max along with Gwen.

“Grandpa Max,” said Renita.

“And Max Force,” said Manny.

“What did I say about calling us that?” asked Grandpa Max.

“I think it sounds cool,” said Manny.

“What are you doing here?” asked Gwen. “I thought you were gonna stay in the Null Void until you cleaned it up.”

“Pretty much got things under control there,” said Grandpa Max. “Anyway, after all the work I put into uncovering the Highbreed conspiracy, there is no way I'm sitting out the final round.”

“Then you've arrived just in time to see the end, Max Tennyson,” said the Highbreed Commander. “My fleet will uncloak and destroy the Earth in less than one of your hours.”

“And we don't even have a plan,” said Kevin.

“Yes, we do,” said Renita. “The hyperspace jump gate is like a door out from the Highbreed home world to here, right?”

“Right,” said Kevin. “So?”

“So, a door out is also a door in,” said Renita. “Got your phone?” Renita said that to Gwen.

“Sure,” said Gwen. “Why?”

“Can you call Julie?” asked Renita. “We need her to bring Ship to us.”

“Hello?” said Julie.

“We need you to send Ship to the Control Tower,” said Gwen.

“Okay,” said Julie.

Gwen hung up the phone. Julie was sending Ship here. Ship was a spaceship that they could use to get to the Highbreed home world. It would be there that they would confront the Highbreed Supreme.

“All set,” said Gwen.

“Good,” said Renita. “Grandpa, can you hold the line here?”

“Keep them from retaking the control room?” asked Grandpa Max. “Consider it done.”

Renita ran towards the open hole of the control Tower. It was time to put her plan into action. She needed to stop this invasion before the rest of the world found out about it.

“Where are you going?” asked Manny.

“I am stepping out for a second,” said Renita.

She looked down to see Ship coming up from below. It was close enough that she could land on it from here. She stepped off the building. She landed on the top of Ship.

“Ren!” yelled Grandpa Max.

Ship brought her back up into view of the window for everyone inside to see.

“Ship,” said Ship.

“Gwen, Kevin, you coming?” asked Renita. Kevin and Gwen looked at each other before running to the window and jumping onto Ship. Ship turned sideways. Gwen and Kevin ran to get inside of Ship. “We do not make it; it is up to you guys.”

“Forget that man,” said Manny. “We'll see you when you get back.”

Renita took one last look at Grandpa Max before turning to run down Ship’s roof so that she could get inside of it. Renita slipped inside and moved to the steering wheel. She sat down in it and buckled up. Gwen took the seat behind Renita. Kevin had to sit behind Azmuth, who was already inside of Ship.

“I am happy that I get to drive,” said Renita.

“I'm still trying to figure out what bug-eyes is doing here,” said Kevin.

“If you're referring to me, surely you didn't think I would leave the Omnitrix unprotected,” said Azmuth.

“Ren worries about you, too,” said Gwen.

“I am only concerned with the Omnitrix, not Ren,” said Azmuth.

“Of course you are,” said Gwen.

Renita was happy Gwen was sticking up for her but now was not the time.

“Jump gate coming up,” said Renita. “I am going to change into my flight suit.” Renita chose to transform into the Cerabrocrustacean because their species was much smarter than her. She would be able to control Ship better.

“With my oversized cranium and intellectual superiority that naturally follows from it, this is obviously the correct form to pilot this vehicle under these trying conditions,” said Renita as she worked the controls of Ship.

“That's precisely why I should pilot this ship,” said Azmuth.

She could not stop the laugh that came through. Damn the Cerabrocrustacean and Galvan rivalry.

“Are you inferring that you're smarter than me because your head is bigger?” asked Azmuth.

“No,” said Renita. “I am implying that I am smarter than you because my brain is bigger. Sorry could not stop that from exiting my mouth. Why do you have a rivalry with the Cerabrocrustacean.”

“Here's your chance to prove it,” said Kevin. “Incoming.”

The warships were firing at them. Renita controlled Ship into different maneuvers to avoid the lazers being shot at them. She had Ship fire at that warships and destroy them.

“Prepare yourself,” said Azmuth. “The jump gate can be disconcerting.”

“How does it work?” asked Gwen.

“It converts you into faster-than-light tachyons. . .” said Azmuth.

“Broadcasts them to the receiver gate on the opposite side of the galaxy. . .,” said Renita.

“Then reconstitutes you,” said Azmuth.

Ship went into the jump gate. They traveled fast through it. She heard Gwen behind her.

“Ooh,” said Gwen. “That's cool.”

They stopped moving so fast.

“We've arrived,” said Azmuth.

“Is everybody okay?” asked Gwen.

“I do not feel well but I shall push through it,” said Renita.

A blast hit Ship, shaking and jarring them.

“Ship,” said Ship.

“We’ve been hit,” said Kevin.

“Try to get us to the High Council building,” said Azmuth. “The tall one over there.”

Renita controlled Ship to dodge all the lasers and towers of the planet. Ship was hit again and crashed through a part of a building. That was when she lost control of Ship. Ship tried to continue until they crashed through a wall and skidded to a stop. Renita had already not been feeling well because of the jump gate. Now, she felt worse.

She walked down the ramp, holding onto her head. For the third time today, she fainted. When she regained consciousness, her eyesight was slightly blurry. She could tell that she was hanging up by her wrists. It hurt once again. This was so not her day.

“What happened?” asked Renita.

“A bunch of Highbreed guards caught us right after we crashed,” said Kevin.

“The good news is that we made it to the Highbreed's headquarters,” said Gwen.

“What about Ship?” asked Renita.

“He's okay,” said Gwen. “I told him to hide until we called him.”

“If I could just reach the Omnitrix,” said Renita.

“Why do you need to reach it?” asked Azmuth.

“Oh, right,” said Renita. “Omnitrix. . .”

“Wait,” said Gwen. “You transformed and used a lot of mana on Earth. Don’t you think it would be best to do it again here to throw Dr. Cull off your trail in case he picked up your mana on Earth.”

“My head,” said Renita. “You are probably right. I think I hit my head one to many times today.”

Renita tossed off her human form. She broke Gwen and Kevin from their prison. Kevin absorbed the floor and broke Azmuth free. After today, she needed a break. Renita led the way, she blasted a door out of her way. She had sensed two mana life-forms behind the door and knew it hit them both.

She also knew it would not have done too much damage. She pulled the door off from the Highbreed and picked it up with a purple mana rope. Azmuth was riding on Kevin’s shoulder.

“Hi,” said Gwen. She made her mana form around her wrists. “Take us to your leader.”

The Highbreed directs them to the correct spot. Renita could feel many life-forms behind that door. She threw the Highbreed into it, breaking the door down. At the same time, her mana was healing the damage down to her throughout the day.

“Who dares?” said the Highbreed Supreme.

Renita, Gwen and Kevin walked into the room. Azmuth was still on Kevin’s shoulders. There in front of them was the Highbreed Council and the Highbreed Supreme. The Highbreed Supreme shared the same coloring as any other Highbreed. He had four red eyes, five black patches on his mouth, and an orange hoodie circles his head. His face was white, and his mouth was purple.

“I'm sorry, master,” said the Highbreed standing up. “They took me by surprise. . .”

The Highbreed Supreme raised a hand, silencing the regular Highbreed. The Highbreed bowed its head and walked out of the room.

“You are the Earth vermin Ren Ten,” said the Highbreed Supreme.

“Renita Tennyson,” said Renita. “Yes, I am. You are the Highbreed Supreme, correct?”

“I've read reports of your tenacity, but truly your gall exceeds all description,” said the Highbreed Supreme.

“Thank you,” said Renita. “I want you to call off the attack on Earth.”

“Just like that?” asked the Highbreed Supreme.

“Yes,” said Renita. “What have you got to gain by hurting us?”

“You are mongrels, inferior life-forms,” said the Highbreed Supreme. “Your very existence is an affront to our purity.”

“Can we dispense with these lies?” asked Azmuth.

“You accuse me of dishonesty,” said the Highbreed Supreme. “Your race is the Galvin, correct? A slightly more intelligent form of pond scum.”

“Don't be fooled by his posturing, Ren,” said Azmuth. “They aren't attacking because of their supposed superiority. They're attacking because they're dying out. Their ridiculous belief in racial purity led to inbreeding, a loss of resistance to disease, and finally sterility. This is the last generation of Highbreeds, is it not?”

“You are correct, vermin,” said the Highbreed Supreme. “But we will not perish alone. In a matter of hours, my fleet will destroy not just Earth, but every known inhabited planet in this galaxy. The fall of Galvan was the signal for our final attack to begin. Enjoy the view. You are about to witness the end of all life in the universe.”

“All is lost,” said Azmuth. “They are far too powerful to fight.”

“Why fight them when we can help them?” asked Renita. She returned to her human form, knowing it was easier to deal with the Omnitrix in her human form than her Anodite form. “Omnitrix, can you repair the genetic damage to the Highbreed? All of them?”

“Genetic manipulation on that scale will require all available power,” said the Omnitrix. “Genetic recombination sequences ready.”

“What are you doing?” asked the Highbreed Supreme.

“Wait for it,” said Renita.

She held up her arm and everyone could hear the Omnitrix powering up. A white wave burst forth from the Omnitrix. It grew in size. It covered everything it could touch and it was even more than most because of the jump gates being open. When it was over, every single Highbreed was different.

“What have you done?” asked the Highbreed Supreme.

After being genetically repaired, he was now red, and his wings, chin and hoodie were blue. His eyes were yellow.

“I ordered the Omnitrix to reprogram your DNA,” said Renita.

“And judging from the new look, I'd say it worked,” said Kevin.

“Omnitrix?” asked Renita.

“Program complete,” said the Omnitrix. “All Highbreed in range of transmission are now genetically fused with random species from Omnitrix database.”

“In range of transmission? With the jump gates open for the attack,” said the HIghbreed Supreme.

“Every Highbreed in the galaxy is now a, uh, how did you put it?” asked Azmuth.

“He called us mongrels,” said Gwen.

“Welcome to the kennel club,” said Kevin.

“How could you do this?” asked the Highbreed Supreme.

“I am afraid that I do not understand,” said Renita. “I saved you. I saved your species.”

“You have made us impure,” said the Highbreed Supreme. “There is only one honorable act left to us.”

“No,” said a familiar voice from behind them. Renita turned to look. It was Reinrassig the third. He walked into the room. “There is another way.”

“Rein,” said Renita.

“You know him?” asked Gwen.

“I know a lot of people,” said Renita.

“This human once cured an ailment of mine by changing my DNA,” said Reinrassig. “At first, I thought the impurity a curse, but I have since learned otherwise. Fellow Highbreed, we can live.”

The Highbreed council spoke in a way that the Omnitrix did not translate for her to understand as they talked to each other.

“It is decided,” said the Highbreed Supreme. “The high council elects you Highbreed supreme. Lead us wisely.”

“I will try,” said Reinrassig as he bowed to them.

“To all Highbreed within the sound of my voice, the war is over,” said Reinrassig broadcasting his voice out. “Return home so we can create a new future together.”

Renita led the group to Reinrassig where he was broadcasting his voice. She was happy to see him well. He held out his hand. She looked at it before taking it in her own hand. He has learned so much since the last time she had seen him. She was glad he was alive.

“Thank you for your help, Renita Tennyson,” said Reinrassig.

“You are most welcome, Reinrassig the third,” said Renita. “We shall be heading home now. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have need for me.”

“If the time comes, I shall call upon you,” said Reinrassig.

“SHIP,” yelled Gwen.

“Ship,” said Ship when he appeared.

The four of them got inside of Ship. Renita allowed Azmuth to steer Ship back through the jump gate. She was tired and needed to rest. Her mana reserves were low after everything she had done today and she was still healing from her head injuries. When they arrived him, the four of them left the inside of Ship.

The group that was left behind was standing in front of the jump gate having waited for them. Together, they watched as the warships returned through the jump gate until there was none left behind. Grandpa Max stood behind Renita with a hand on her shoulder.

“That is the last of them,” said Renita.

“It's a beautiful sight, isn't it?” asked Grandpa Max.

He took something out of his pocket and pulled the clip. He through it up into the air and once in mid-flight it blew out its bottom to show it had a mini rocket attached to it. The thing hit the top of the arch and started to destroy the jump gate. It went down on both sides at the same time.

It also destroyed the cloaking device as well.

“Fusion grenade,” said Grandpa Max.

“Nice,” said Kevin.

“I've got to go home,” said Julie. “Since it's not the end of the world, I'm still under curfew.”

“We will walk to school together tomorrow,” said Renita.

Julie walked inside of Ship. She turned to wave before the door closed and Ship took off into the air. Renita was thankful that Julie allowed them to use Ship to stop this war from happening.

“Grandpa, are you going back to the Null Void?” asked Gwen.

“Nope,” said Grandpa Max. “After watching Ren's recruits in action, I think they need some training from an old pro. You three sure don't need me anymore.”

“I will always need you, grandpa,” said Renita.

She hugged him.

“Come on, team,” said Grandpa Max. “You're with me. Ooh, I'm gonna need a bigger motor home.”

Pierce, Helen, Cooper, Manny and Alan walked away. Grandpa Max got onto his Guardian and flew off, following his new recruits. She knew they would see them again.

“What happened to Darkstar?” asked Renita.

“He snuck away during all the excitement,” said Gwen. “We'll get him.”

“But not today,” said Kevin.

He walked over to his car. Or rather, the remains of his car. There was nothing left but a pile of scrap. Renita felt back for him. She did not know if she could put that back together the correct way. She knew nothing about cars. If she tried, she might end up doing it wrong.

“Today I'm going to the auto show,” said Kevin. “I need a new ride.”

“I'll go with you,” said Gwen as she approached him.

“You like cars?” asked Kevin.

“Not really,” said Gwen. “I like you, though.”

Kevin held out his arm and Gwen took it. The two of them walked away. Renita smiled at the scene they made. Good, they needed to stop beating around the bush. It was getting tiring watching them dance around each other and their feelings for the other.

“Nice working with you again, Ren,” said Professor Paradox. “It's time to take Azmuth home.”

“There's a lot of rebuilding to do back on Galvan,” said Azmuth.

“Before you go, can you re-engage the master control?” asked Renita. “That DNA wave I made seems to have reset the Omnitrix.”

“Yes, it has, hasn't it?” said Azmuth. “Have fun figuring it out.”

Professor Paradox and Azmuth disappeared in a blue light, leaving her alone in Los Soledad. Renita looked down at the watch and decided to see what she had to deal with. As she scrolled through it, she realized that it even gave her ten new life-forms to figure out.

“Oh, Amber Ogia,” said Renita. “I do not recognize any of these life-forms. I will have to speak to Blonko about this and see what we can find out.”

Renita teleported home. She laid on her bed and fell asleep. Tomorrow, she would speak to Blonko. Tonight, she needed to finish healing and sleep.

~

Halfway across the galaxy, a beeping sound could be heard inside of a spaceship as it sailed through the stars, searching. A robot hand moved out to type upon the computer. A screen appeared before the life-form. It showed two locations. One was the planet Earth, and the other was the Planet Augstaka.

The life-form sat back in their seat as they studied the screen. It dismissed Earth for now. There was no way the one they were searching for would have gone back there. It was the height of stupidity if they did. The robot hands typed something into the steering control. They were heading to the Planet Augstaka.

There, the prize the life-form has been searching for should be or at least near that planet.

Yes, their lovely prize.

Chapter Text

Today was her birthday. It would be a chill day. Renita could not believe she made it to her sixteenth birthday. She was on Earth with her loving family too. The only thing that would make today even better was seeing Blonko after so long. Gwen and Renita were throwing a joint birthday party. It was something they both agreed on because they were close. The only downside to that was Blonko would not be able to join the party because of their human friends.

Not that they had a lot going on since defeating the Highbreed and saving the universe. Everything has calmed down. It did not seem like life-forms from other places were causing trouble for anyone. It was great not having to worry about saving the world. She could relax and concentrate on her schoolwork. Renita was determined to graduate early with Gwen.

“I can’t believe your birthday is in December,” said Kevin. “What is even more weird is that you were both born on the same day just days after Christmas.”

“It’s Renita’s fault that we have the same birthday,” said Gwen.

“It is not,” said Renita. “Mother had complications while carrying me. Mother told me that she was lucky to even conceive me as she had issues with her reproductive organs since she was a teenager. Carrying me was dangerous for her and the doctors forced her to give birth to me three weeks early. She did not know Aunt Natalie was giving birth today.”

“I never knew that,” said Gwen.

“Mother does not like talking about it,” said Renita. “She almost died having me. It is why she treats me the way she does.”

“Makes sense,” said Kevin. “You are the only child she had, so of course she would treat you like a baby.”

“Anyway, who all is coming today?” asked Renita.

“My friend Emily said she was going to come,” said Gwen. “I tried to invite Elena, but she did not respond. Kai said she could not come because she was in England.”

“Do you not have any other friends?” asked Renita.

“Not really,” said Gwen. “Not many like me being as smart as I am.”

“I had better success,” said Renita. “Alan and Cooper said they were going to come. I reached out to Eddie Smith, and he said something about might being able to show up. Jamie, Jonesy, Julie and Molly are coming. I wanted to invite Manny, Peirce and Helen to the party.”

“I thought about inviting them too,” said Gwen. “The only problem is that they don’t look human.”

“That is why I did not invite Blonko either,” said Renita. “I wanted to see him today.”

The first to arrive were their school friends. Emily, Jamie, Jonesy, Molly and Julie showed up a few minutes apart.

“Gwen,” said Emily. “Happy birthday to you. And you as well Renita.”

“Thank you,” said Renita.

“I’m so glad that you came,” said Gwen.

“I wouldn’t miss your birthday for the world,” said Emily.

“Thanks for inviting us, Renita,” said Jamie.

“Yeah, it’s nice to be included,” said Molly.

“I’m just glad it’s not all girls here,” said Jonesy.

“Happy birthday, Renita and Gwen,” all three of them said at once.

“Thank you,” said Renita.

“Thanks guys,” said Gwen.

“Gwen,” said Julie, hugging her. “Happy birthday to you and Renita.”

“Thank you,” said Gwen.

“Yes, thank you for coming,” said Renita, hugging Julie.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” said Julie.

Cooper and Alan came together. Cooper going to speak to Gwen first while Alan greeted Renita.

“Lovely Gwen,” said Cooper. “Happy birthday to you.”

“Thank you, Cooper,” said Gwen.

“Renita, thanks for the invite,” said Alan. “Happy birthday to you and Gwen.”

“Thank you for coming,” said Renita.

“Yes, thanks Alan,” said Gwen.

“Happy birthday Renita,” said Cooper.

“Thank you,” said Renita.

A limo pulled up and out walked a tall young man, he wore a dark maroon sweater, with a brown turtleneck, white pants, and red shoes with white soles. He had glossy black hair with a widow's peak hairline, thick black eyebrows, and blue eyes.

That must be Eddie. Renita was surprised he showed up.

“Gwen, I must say I was surprised to receive an invite to your sixteenth birthday,” said Eddie.

“Thank you, Eddie, right,” said Gwen. “It’s been so long since I last saw you.”

“I am indeed Eddie,” said Eddie. “Where is your cousin Ben?”

“I am here,” said Renita. “Long story short, I was kidnapped about three years ago and experimented on. I was forced to change genders.”

“That sucks,” said Eddie. He leaned in to speak to only Gwen and Renita. “Was it aliens?”

“It was,” said Renita. “We can talk more later. Let us exchange phone numbers.”

“Good idea,” said Eddie.

The three of them exchanged numbers. It felt good to gain another friend that shared a secret. An RV pulled up outside of the park where Gwen and Renita were having the party. Out of the RV came Grandpa Max. Renita and Gwen moved to hug him when four teens stepped out of the RV behind Grandpa Max. One of them looked like Peirce without the spikes jutting out of his body.

He was wearing a Plumber outfit. Beside him was a young female teen that had flipped-up, spiky light blue hair with light blue eyes. She was wearing a Plumber outfit. Behind them was a tall teen male that was a thin, Afro-American with an Afro. He had big, dotted eyes, thick eyebrows, and dark lips. He was also wearing a Plumber’s outfit. It was the last teen male that caught Renita’s eye.

This teen male was tall, tanned skin, bold head except for three stripes of black hair. His eyes were yellow orange eyes, he was wearing a Plumber’s outfit. Renita stopped to stare at him. There was something familiar about him to her. She continued to stare at him until their eyes met and Renita understood.

“BLONKO,” shouted Renita.

She ran and jumped into his arms. Blonko was smiling wide as he caught Renita in his arms. He had to take a step back in order to stay standing, but he did not drop her. She moved in to kiss Blonko on the lips. He accepted the kiss, enjoying the feel of his beloved one in his arms.

“I am so happy to see you,” said Renita once she pulled back.

“I am happy as well,” said Blonko. “Your grandfather reached out to get permission for me to leave Plumber’s Academy for today. He gave me this mask that changed my features to look human. I do not understand why.”

Renita moved to stand on her own two feet.

“A lot of my Earth friends do not know about other life-forms,” said Renita. “Until other life-forms have been revealed to all humans, it is best to keep it secret for now.”

“That makes more sense,” said Blonko. “Also, there are a lot of people staring at us.”

Renita laughed as she turned to see everyone staring at the two of them. She smiled wide and grabbed Blonko’s hand to pull him forward.

“Everyone, I would like to introduce my boyfriend, Blonko,” said Renita. “He is in training in a Police Academy several hours away, so I do not get to see him often. Please excuse any… um… PDA that is shown. I am happy to see him.”

Kevin was the first to approached. He held out his hand. Blonko took it and shook hands.

“For a while there, I didn’t think you were real,” said Kevin. “I’m Kevin Levin.”

“Rook Blonko,” said Blonko.

“I thought Ren said your name was Blonko?” asked Kevin. “Don’t tell me she calls you by your last name.”

“Ah, no that is not the case,” said Blonko. “Where I am from you say your family name first and given name last when introducing yourself to someone for the first time.”

“Like the Asians do,” said Kevin. “Makes sense.”

“Not all Asians do that,” said Julie stepping forward. “Julie Yamamoto, Renita’s friend.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you Julie,” said Blonko. “I have heard many great things about you. I am pleased that Renita has a good friend like you.” Blonko turned to look at Gwen. “You must be her dear cousin, Gwendolyn.”

“Please call me Gwen,” said Gwen. “It’s nice to meet you Blonko. I have heard nothing but good things about you.”

“Apologies Gwen,” said Blonko. “I knew Renita called you Gwen, but I did not wish to assume everyone could call you by that name. And I have heard great things about you. I have also heard about you Kevin, good and bad stuff.”

“My past is not the best,” shrugged Kevin. “I won’t deny it.”

Renita snuggled into Blonko as her friends and boyfriend talked, it was great. She was glad they were getting along, she just wished they could like their original self instead of with the holomasks covering their true features. Blonko and them walked to the yard to join the party that was taking place. Renita did not move from her spot and walked with him.

This was the best day ever, in her opinion. The party went into full swing, everyone was having fun, talking, playing games and eating the food laid out by her mother. Her father was on the grill making the food, while her mother supplied everything else. Renita had never felt more at peace than she did not.

Later that night, Molly, Emily, Jonsey, and Jamie left to go home. This allowed those with other life-forms remove the holomasks to appear as themselves. That was when the party really hit it off. Everyone talking about their species and their advantages they each had. Renita stuck close to Blonko for most of the night.

The two shared kisses and cuddled on an outside couch, enjoying the night. Everyone that had stayed sat around Renita and Blonko, enjoying the night. Gwen and Kevin were sitting down on another couch, close together. They seriously needed to become a couple so that Renita wasn’t the only one dating someone.

“So, can I ask a question Blonko?” asked Alan.

“Yes, what is it?” asked Blonko.

“What species are you?” asked Alan. “I only ask because I have never seen your kind before.”

“Revonnahgander,” said Blonko. “I hail from the Planet Revonnah. Most of my people are farmers. May I ask how you learned of other life-forms?”

“I woke up one day, looking like this,” Alan said as he changed into his Pryonite form. “It turns out one of my parents was a Pryonite.”

“Most interesting,” said Blonko. “Half human and half Pryonite, I wonder how that would work.”

“I have no idea either,” said Alan. “To be honest, I believe my old man must have worn a holomask to be with my mom.”

“That is possible,” said Blonko. “What about you three?”

“I’m just a friend,” said Manny. “Grew up with Helen and Pierce. I woke up one day looking like this. As far as I know, neither of my parents are aliens.”

“Helen and I are siblings,” said Pierce. “We can’t say for sure if our parents are aliens, we were orphaned when we were young.”

“I am sorry for your loss,” said Blonko.

“It’s okay,” said Helen. “We accepted that it happened, and we have moved on.”

“Blonko, how is your training with the Plumbers going?” asked Gwen.

“It is going good,” said Blonko. “I am learning a lot. I knew the universe was vast, but I had not truly grasped how vast it was.”

“There are seven know universes,” said Renita. “As far as the Galvan are aware of currently.”

“There is so much to learn about the universes,” said Blonko.

“Want to know something that will blow your mind?” asked Renita.

“What is it?” asked Blonko.

“There are actually one million nine hundred and three genetic samples within the Omnitrix,” said Renita. “That means there are over one million nine hundred and three life-forms out there in the known universes.”

“Wait, hold up Ren,” said Kevin. “Are you telling me that there are over a million aliens out there.”

“Yes,” said Renita.

“I’m not sure I follow,” said Manny. “Are ya saying that there are over a million different species out there?”

“That is what I am saying,” said Renita.

“I have met over thirty different species so far during my training at the Plumbers Academy,” said Blonko.

“Huh,” said Kevin. “To think the universe is so vast.”

Everyone chuckled. It was around midnight that Grandpa Max came out from inside of the house. Renita could see that he was reluctant to break up their party. Renita understood that Grandpa Max had to return Blonko to the Plumbers Academy. The other five needed to return to their own training.

Blonko walked with Renita to Grandpa Max’s RV. It was hard keeping her tears back, because she knew it would be months before she could see Blonko face to face again. Hopefully, next time will be at his graduation ceremony from the Plumber’s Academy. Renita could not wait for that day.

“This is where we say goodnight,” said Blonko.

“Not goodbye?” asked Renita.

“For as long as I draw breath, parting from you is never a goodbye,” said Blonko. “It is simply a short separation. We will be reunited once again soon.”

“That is so sweet,” said Gwen from a distance.

“Blonko,” said Renita. “I am so thankful that you are my beloved. Let us have a sweet parting until next time.”

“Until next time,” said Blonko.

He leaned down and kissed Renita on the lips. Once he parted from Renita, he turned and walked into the RV without looking back. Renita hugged her Grandpa Max. She turned afterwards and left. She would speak to Blonko tomorrow and see him again soon. She would not cry. There was no reason to cry as this was not a goodbye.

~

Today was going to be a good day, well after she was done with therapy. She needed to have a discussion with Azmuth to see if he could not change Albedo back into a Galvan or at least into her female form so she did not have to look at the male version of herself that should not exist. She did not know if Azmuth knew that it felt like he was punishing her as well as Albedo. Azmuth needed to understand that it was not fair to her.

After therapy, she was going to take her driver’s test and get her license so that she could drive on her own. It was going to be awesome. Of course, she did not have a car but her dad was going to get her a motorcycle. She had been learning about vehicles since Kevin’s car had been totaled. Next time, she was going to be able to fix the car instead of him having to get a new car. There was much she needed to learn about Earth since she had left.

Renita sat waiting for Azmuth to appear for them to start their session. Asmodeus knew this was important for her. She needed to get what she felt off her chest. Azmuth needed to hear her out. A beam of light appeared on Asmodeus’ desk. When it disappeared, Azmuth was standing there. He did not seem happy to be here, but she knew Asmodeus told him he had to attend for Renita’s sake.

“I’m here,” said Azmuth. “Now what did you wish to discuss about the wielder of the Omnitrix?”

“Must you call me that like I do not have a name,” said Renita.

“I would call you by name if you didn’t use Asmodeus to try and convince me to give you master control over the Omnitrix,” said Azmuth.

“That’s not why you are here, Azmuth,” said Asmodeus. “Renita has something she wishes to say to you that will help her in her healing process.”

“Very well,” said Azmuth. “What do you have to say Renita?”

“Can you change Albedo back into a Galvan?” asked Renita.

“I could but why should I?” asked Azmuth. “He made his bed by trying to create an inferior Omnitrix. I believe he should suffer for it.”

“And me as well it seems,” said Renita.

“What do you mean?” asked Azmuth. “How is Albedo trapped as a human make you suffer?”

“Because he looks like me,” said Renita. “Well, the male version of me. That is something I do not get. How is he the male version of me? I thought it had my new DNA and thus would have made Albedo a female version of myself.”

“I must confess, I had not known about Albedo making an inferior copy of the Omnitrix until after you had placed the Omnitrix back on your wrist,” said Azmuth. “By then, it was too late to really do anything about the form he was changed and locked into the male form. As you know the Omnitrix is encoded to your DNA. At the time that Albedo placed his watch upon his wrist, it was still encoded with your male DNA. Even after you placed the Omnitrix on your wrist again, the inferior version could not re-encode the DNA in it because it was still on Albedo’s wrist. If he had not been wearing when you returned to Earth, he would be in your female form instead.”

“Then why does he look like a teenager instead of a child?” asked Renita.

“Because my Omnitrix has an AI that recognizes the passage of time,” said Azmuth. “I am the smartest being in five galaxies arguably six.”

“I suppose that makes sense,” said Renita. “There is no doubt about your genius mind. However, you might be smart in technology, but you are not in smart in emotions. Galvan’s do not take emotions into account. How would you feel if a female version of yourself was wondering around that should not exist?”

“Logically speaking, that is something I doubt could happen,” said Azmuth. “However, if it ever did happen, I believe I would feel unease about it. Is that how you feel?”

“I feel wronged,” said Renita. “I feel like I am being punished. That I am being shown something that should have been me if HE had not interfered with my life. It is unfair that I must live with the knowledge that someone has that face. A face that should not exist. A gender that should not be here. Why are you punishing me with that?”

“I admit I had not thought about that,” said Azmuth. “However, I cannot do anything about it at this moment.”

“Why not?” asked Renita.

“Albedo is missing,” said Azmuth. “He has once again escaped from Galvan Prime. Once he has been found and returned, I shall return him to his original form. I did not mean to cause you stress.”

“Thank you,” said Renita. “It is most appreciated.”

“I shall see you later than,” said Azmuth.

He disappeared with a flash of light. Renita slumped on the couch she was sitting on. Great, Albedo was missing and still wearing her male face. That was not what she wanted to hear but then again, there was a lot of stuff in her life that she heard that was terrible. Azmuth might be smart in technology and the universe, but he did not understand emotions. She could not believe she had to point out his mistake to him.

At least Asmodeus understood emotions. Maybe some Galvan's used their smarts for understanding emotions instead of technology? For a long moment no one spoke. Asmodeus was giving Renita time to digest everything Azmuth and her had talked about. After a little while, Renita was ready to continue their session.

“At least I know Azmuth did not do it to punish me,” said Renita.

“Yes, that is good news,” said Asmodeus. “How are you feeling now that everything has been aired out?”

“What a weird idiom,” said Renita. “Aired out. What a strange way of saying you got everything you needed to say out in the open. Then again it is perhaps a shorter way of saying it. I suppose I feel better knowing Azmuth now understands how I feel on the matter pertaining to Albedo and my male form.”

Renita covered her eyes with an arm as she leaned her head back. She did feel better. Talking about something bothering her helped her process and deal with it instead of allowing it to fester. Allowing emotions and feelings to fester were not healthy for anyone. Renita sat up and decided it was time to move forward.

“I am glad we had that conversation,” said Asmodeus.

“Me too,” said Renita.

“Is there anything else bothering you?” asked Asmodeus.

“I saved the Earth by helping an entire species recover from inbreeding,” said Renita.

“I heard about it,” said Asmodeus. “The Highbreed were set on destroying the galaxy because they were dying out. You prevented that by fixing their DNA. Something that many of other species would not have thought about.”

“I guess so,” said Renita. “I mean, many of my teammates thought we should beat them up or kill them. Neither of which seemed like a good idea. Ending a species is not something the Omnitrix was made to do. After all, Azmuth built it to bridge species together, so they could understand one another but it is also to ensure that a species could be revived if something that happened to them. I hold a lot of power and a lot of responsibilities wearing this device.”

“Do you feel burdened?” asked Asmodeus.

“Not at all,” said Renita. “It feels like a heavy responsibility but to protect galaxies of species from extinction is something I will do happily. I will defend Earth while defending the extinction of any species.”

“Sounds to me that you have found your destiny,” said Asmodeus.

“If that is what you want to call it,” said Renita. “All I know is that it feels good to end a war without bloodshed and violence. Even if fighting the DNAliens started out with violence.”

“And with that our time here comes to an end,” said Asmodeus. “We can pick this up at the next session.”

“Sounds good to me,” said Renita. “I have a driving test to take today.”

“I wish you all the best,” said Asmodeus.

Renita bid Asmodeus goodbye and happily allowed her parents drive her to the DMV.

Chapter Text

It was time to take her driving test and get her license. Of course, it was not just one test she was taking today. It was two of them, because in order to drive the motorcycle she needs a class M license. As her father explained it to her, she needs a class C license or learner license. She has had her learner license and would get her hands an actual license today.

She only needed to apply a second time for a Class M license. All she needed to do was prove she could drive the motorcycle. Since her father had been renting one out for her to learn how to drive on, she could not wait to be able to pick out her own motorcycle. It was going to be sweet to be able to drive something of her own. Renita hoped her father was ready to buy her the motorcycle.

“Are you ready for this Renita?” asked Mother.

“I am,” said Renita. “I cannot wait to be out driving like Kevin.”

“I just hope you don’t get into trouble like your friend Kevin,” said Mother.

“I will do my up most to keep from breaking any laws,” said Renita.

“See that you do not break the laws,” said Mother. “Driving is a privilege, not a right.”

“I know, mother,” said Renita.

"Good,” said Mother.

They arrived at the DMV; she saw her father was already there with the rented motorcycle. Renita wondered how her father got it there. Mother and father lead her into the DMV. It was not that she needed them there to take the test, but their support was welcomed. Mother signed her up for the first test which was driving a car.

Renita got into her father’s car and was able to pass her first driving test. She was happy as she got her picture taken and wrote out her name. Now it was time to get her motorcycle license. Renita had already completed her MSF course and had gotten her MSB-8 certificate. All she needed to do was provide her verification that she attended high school and pass her skills test.

The skill test was driving the bike with someone on the back of it. Renita knew she needed to drive safely with the officer on her bike. It was not the time to do trick shots and other almost dangerous actions with the bike. Of course, Renita would not be doing it where others could potentially get hurt.

It felt great when they went back inside for her biometrics for the motorcycle license. She was handed a temporary one. Renita pulled out her wallet and placed in into the proper place, removing her learner permit. She tucked that one in her back pocket, she would deal with that later.

When she left the DMV, she had her license to drive a car and a motorcycle. Renita was allowed to drive the rented motorcycle back to the place her father had rented it. Afterwards, her father and mother brought her to a dealership that sold motorcycles. She wondered how they could afford it but her answer came before she knew it.

“Grandpa Max, your mother and I have pooled our resources, and we will be able to buy a motorcycle outright,” said father. “So, let us find one that you like.”

Renita smiled as they walked into the building. An associate walked up to them.

“How can I help you?” asked the associate.

“We are looking for a motorcycle for my daughter,” said father.

“First time owner and rider,” said the associate. “Shall we go take a look at some of the ones we have on the lot. Can you tell me what type of motorcycle you were looking for?”

“I do not know,” said Renita. “I want a sporty one.”

“We have several different models of sports motorcycles,” said the associate. “We have Yamaha, Harley Davidson, Kawasaki, Honda and Suzuki. Do you have a preference for a certain model?”

“I do not want a Harley Davidson,” said Renita. “Everyone and their friends have those. I want something unique.”

“Is there a particular color you are looking to get your motorcycle in?” asked the associate.

“Green,” said Renita. “As much green as I can get on it.”

“That takes out the Honda’s and Yamaha’s that we have in stock,” said the associate. “That leaves the Kawasaki’s and Suzuki’s. Which year were you looking to purchase?”

“Last year or this year, new,” said father.

“I don’t think we have anything in stock for the Suzuki’s in green at this location,” said the associate. “We do have a 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX 14R in stock. Let me show it to you.”

The associate led them to the motorcycle section and Renita saw it before the associate could point it out. It was a black and green painted bike with the silver metal of the frame peeking out. She loved it. That was the one she wanted. Renita walked up to it, looking at it. Mother and Father stood back and allowed Renita to marvel over the bike.

“You have a good eye,” said the associate. “This here is the 2016 Kawasaki Ninja ZX 14R. This version has an aggressive wide body look with dual exhausts. It has good speed and weight for mountain runs and desert rides. The OHLINS steering damper assists in controlling well. If you purchase this bike, the suspension will need to be tuned to you as the rider.”

“That sounds great,” said Renita.

“Before you decide, I would suggest sitting on the bike to see how it feels to you,” said the associate.

“Awesome,” said Renita, letting her old self slip in there. “I will take you up on your offer.”

Renita’s excitement in getting a motorcycle made her forget herself for a second. She put her leg over the seat and sat down. The seat was slightly uncomfortable but that was something easy that could be changed later. The grip of the bars was good. Renita smiled as she viewed everything about the dashboard.

“I love it,” said Renita.

“Great, we shall go inside to make the sale,” said the associate.

Renita and her parents followed the associate inside of the dealership. The associate walked into his office and sat down behind his desk. The family of three sat down in the chairs provided. The associate typed on his computer to bring up all the information that was needed.

“Let us run a credit check first,” said the associate.

“There is no need for that,” said father. “We are paying in full in cash.”

The associate looked at father. He typed out how much the vehicle would cost with the adjustment of the suspension. He wrote it all down and turned the paper to father. Father moved it closer to him. Renita could see that it’s original price is $14,999. The commission price and the adjustment along with the taxes raised the price to $18,456.

“Deal,” said father.

Mother pulled out two stacks of mustard colored band of 100 dollar bills out of her purse. She gave it to father. Father placed one stack on the table while removing the band from around the other. He counted out a certain amount of dollars from the stack and placed it on top of the bound stack. He slid it across to the associate.

“Feel free to count it,” said father.

“I believe it would be better to get a loan so that you can have gap insurance in case something happens to the bike,” said the associate.

“I am not worried about it,” said father. “I make good money and have good car insurance. Also, I know my daughter will be responsible with the bike.”

What father didn’t tell the associate was that if the bike got damaged, Renita could rebuild it and make it brand new. They did not need to worry about anything happening to the bike nor to any other vehicle Renita would ever drive. She studied motorcycles and cars to understand them in order to fix them if they get damaged.

Being a Plumber was going to be dangerous and any vehicle she drove or was driven would most likely be damaged at some point. She felt bad when Kevin had to fix up his car with his own money. Now, she could fix it for Kevin, and it wouldn’t cost him anything. The associate looked skeptical but said nothing as he took the money and started counting.

“It’s all here, let me go to my bill of sales manager and get everything settled,” said the associate.

He left them there, Renita was texting Blonko, Gwen, Kevin and Julie about the bike she was getting for her birthday. She got quick responses from Gwen, Kevin and Julie. Blonko would not respond until he had time because of his training. Renita could not wait to ride her new bike off the lot.

Gwen was happy Renita got the bike she wanted. Kevin wanted to see the bike to inspect it to make sure it was in perfect condition before she drove it for too long. Julie just said she was happy for her. The relationship between Julie and her was not going well since they had to rescue Ship from the Forever Knights.

Renita knew Julie felt some type of way about how their interaction before the rescue happened. She did not understand why she was having issues about it. They simply forgot about Renita needing to adjust back to Earth culture. Of course, Julie didn’t understand the reason Renita was having to adjust in the first place.

Three years of being away from Earth and her culture, things changed. She changed to adapt to her situations. Earth culture changed too. There were cell phones now, when she disappeared those things were not common for everyone to have. She didn’t even remember hearing about them before she was taken.

She did not care if Julie was having trouble about it. Renita had enough on her plate and was not going to allow a new friend to make her life harder than it was. The associate came back and sat down to work on his computer. The computer started printing things out. Father slid over his driver’s license and his insurance for the associate.

“Everything seems to be in order,” said the associate. “I’ll need you to sign a few things and then you are free to go. I do have to ask; do you have a helmet?”

“Yes,” said Renita. “It is in the car.”

“Okay, once everything is signed, you can go get the suspension on the bike fixed and be on your way,” said the associate. “Please ensure that the bike is placed on the insurance plan as soon as possible.”

“I will do it as soon as I have the Vin number for the bike,” said mother.

“Wonderful,” said the associate. “The title will arrive in three to four weeks.”

He took the papers from the printer and looked through it for the places for her father to sign. He marked them before he signed on his own lines. He slid it over for father to sign. Once the both of them were done signing, the associate placed them on his printer to make copies. Once the copies were made, the papers were given to father.

Father passed them on to mother. She started looking through it for the Vin number for the bike. Her cell phone was already open to their insurance company. Everyone stood up, father and the associate shaking hands. It seemed like everything was over now. It was time for the adjustment then she got to ride it to the DMV to register it.

Renita followed the associate into the back where the service people were waiting for her. She got on the bike and they went to work to adjust the suspension. It did not take too long for them to finish. She got off to let them finish their job. Renita went to the car to grab her green and black helmet with some violet lining it.

Her parents were going to meet her at the DMV, because she could not own the bike until her 18th birthday. Renita waved to her parents as they left. They did not need the bike to register it but she wanted to put the plate on it as soon as possible. Renita wanted to be road legal because she did not want to mess with cops.

The bike was brought out to her, and she grinned. Renita got onto the bike and turned it on. The bike roaring to life. She checked the fuel gage and realized that she would need to get gas after getting her license plate. Renita placed the helmet on her head before revving the engine.

Renita kicked the kickstand up. She drove off. It was refreshing and fun, driving down the road on her bike. Her Bike! By the time she arrived at the DMV, her parents already had the plate ready for her. She parked her bike next to her parents' car. She turned off the bike and got off from it.

“How was the ride?” asked mother.

“It was great,” said Renita. “A little chilly but I am sure a new jacket for the bike will work wonders. I loved the wind whipping around my body.”

"I’m glad to hear that,” said father. “Here’s your tag.”

Renita took the tag from her father along with the flathead. She took off the dealership tag and replaced it with her tag. She hugged her parents before getting back onto the bike. She drove to a gas station, where she filled up the bike. From there, she drove to the mall. She wanted a leather jacket to go with her bike.

Once she was done shopping, Renita drove home. She pulled into her driveway, rolling her eyes as she saw her Grandmother Lucinda’s vehicle in the driveway too. Why did her grandmother want to see her after her therapy sessions where she was left feeling open and raw. It did not make sense.

“What a shame,” said an unfamiliar voice behind her.

Renita turned to see a woman with long brown hair and blue eyes wearing a floral dress staring at her. Was that woman talking to her. The mana felt like the mother from the Smith family. A family that has never interacted with her family before. This was the first time she even heard the woman’s voice.

“Are you talking about me ma’am?” asked Renita.

“I am,” said the woman. “I cannot believe your parents are allowing you to drive that death trap.”

“Who are you to question my parents and their parenting style?” asked Renita. “It is not your business.”

“Hm, are they not teaching you manners either?” asked the woman. “I am Allyson Smith and since I have four children and one on the way. I will judge anyone and everyone that only has a child. Especially one they recently adopted. If you were my child, you would never drive that thing.”

“It is a good thing that I am not your child, then,” said Renita. “Also, I am not adopted. And no, I will not explain anything to you.”

“James will be so disappointed,” said Allyson.

“Who is James and why should I care if he is disappointed?” asked Renita.

“He’s my oldest son,” said Allyson. “He’s interested in marrying you. He’ll have to reteach you how to be an obedient wife.”

“I have a boyfriend, and it is not your son,” said Renita. “I plan on marrying him once I graduate from high school and he leaves the Academy.”

Renita did not want to say Plumber Academy because this woman would not understand she meant the Intergalactic Police Academy. Allyson frowned and stared at her. Renita chose to ignore the woman and head inside. The Smith family did not matter to her. They were not worth speaking to or arguing with.

She walked inside of her house and to the living room. In the living room, sitting on the couches were her family. Grandmother Lucinda was there with two females and one male. It was her aunts and uncle. Was her grandmother taking her seriously? Was she getting to know the men in her family just because of her?

“Greetings everyone,” said Renita.

The male stood up, he had short blond hair and brown eyes. He bowed to Renita. Renita took a step back. This was not what she expected from someone in the Mafia family.

“I wish to thank you for what you said to mother,” said the male man. “I am Andrew Hemmingworth, your uncle.”

“There is no reason to bow to me,” said Renita. “I only spoke the truth.”

“Still, to be able to be a part of this family and feel like I belong after so long is wonderful,” said Uncle Andrew. “I am even now allowed to marry the woman I love.”

“That is good news,” said Renita. “One should always be able to be with the one they love. I cannot wait until I am old enough to marry Blonko.”

“I am glad you approve of what I am now doing for my family,” spoke Grandmother Lucinda. “However, family manners mean Renita should have greeted me first before speaking to Andrew.”

“I do not care about your family manners,” said Renita. “It is polite to address the first person to speak as ignoring one who talks can be considered rude.”

“I suppose that is true,” said Grandmother Lucinda.

“I do hope this Blonko is human,” said Aunt Kendra. “It would not do for the next head of the family to be married to anything other than a human.”

“Blonko is a pure bloodied Revonnahgander from the Planet Revonnah,” said Renita.

“Mother, you can’t be serious letting her take over for the family,” said Aunt Kendra. “She’s not even marrying a human.”

“It does not matter to me whom she marries,” said Grandmother Lucinda. “As long as Renita agrees to take over eventually. I am sure one of her children will be human.”

“None of them will be human,” said Renita.

“What do you mean?” asked Aunt Linda.

“I am only one third human,” said Renita. “I am two thirds Anodite. Any children Blonko and I have will be two thirds Anodite, one third human and half Revonnahgander.”

Renita did not want her mother's side of the family to know that she was more Anodite than human. After all, her human DNA only made up 5%, the rest was Anodite. They did not need to know that.

“Will any of them look human?” asked Aunt Linda.

“Only time will tell,” said Renita.

“Mother,” said Aunt Kendra, she stood up. “You cannot allow this to happen.”

“Kendra, you forget your place,” said Grandmother Lucinda. “I am in control of this family. You do not tell me what I can and cannot allow to happen. We need to leave now. It appears I have to reteach Kendra on the finer points of who runs the Hemmingworth’s family.”

Renita watched as they left. She was glad that they cut their visit short, she hated when they stopped by. Ali followed her grandmother without any instructions. She disliked Ali. Why would he serve her grandmother? Someone that had bought him and used him to her advantage.

Chapter Text

“Are you sure of this Kevin?” asked Renita.

“I’m sure,” said Kevin. “They have something that might be a threat to Earth.”

“How do we play this?” asked Gwen.

“I’ll go in first before you two enter,” said Kevin. “I will scope what they are selling and bring you guys in once I have something.”

“Let us do this then,” said Renita.

Kevin called the person and set up a time and place. It was outside of Bellwood in an old, abandoned factory. Gwen and Renita would teleport there and wait outside until Kevin called for them. Renita did not like waiting but she understood that this was something she had to trust Kevin to do first.

Renita knew Gwen couldn’t hear what was being said but that was because she still did not connect to her mana in a way that would enhance her hearing. She rarely left her human skin to be a full Anodite. Kevin had just exited his car. She could hear someone walking towards Kevin. This must be the man selling to Kevin.

“What have you go for me, Fitz?” asked Kevin.

That was an odd name to have. It must be either fake or a last name.

“I knew you’d be the guy to call on this, Kev,” said Fitz. “This is big, and I figured you’d have the connections to-"

“Show me,” said Kevin.

Fitz fumbled with something before dialing on a phone. That was not right. Wasn’t he the one selling the item? Why would he need to use a cell phone. It did not make sense. That was when she heard the sound of motorcycles. There were three of them heading Kevin’s way.

What was Fitz’s game?

“I’m just the middleman,” said Fitz.

Ah, he was just supposed to find a potential buyer. Who were they? Why were they selling something like criminals? Who was she kidding? Fitz and the seller were probably criminals. The bikes stopped. Three people, two males and one female by the feel of their mana. She could not make sense about it.

“Are you the buyer?” asked one of the males.

“It depends,” said Kevin. “What are you selling?”

“Alien Technology,” said the same male. “The good stuff.”

The two males had approached Kevin and his car. They seemed to have a case each.

“Watch the paint,” said Kevin.

Go figures that he would be worried about the paint of his car more than the deal. Ther cases were opened.

“What is it?” asked Kevin.

“You don’t know,” said the same male.

Is the other male not going to speak? That male had walked away from the car. Kevin moved.

“You don’t know, do you?” asked Kevin. “Is it a weapon? Does it fire? Can it blow stuff up? See, this is important information for a prospective buyer.”

“It’s alien technology, man,” said the first male. “It’s gotta be worth some money. Are you interested or not?”

“Just chill,” said Kevin. “Let me talk to my partners.”

“Let’s go Gwen,” said Renita.

“Partners?” asked Fitz. “You didn’t say anything about partners.”

“Neither did you,” said Kevin.

Gwen and Renita walked around the corner and into the abandoned warehouse. Fitz was a tall white man wearing a hat and jacket. He pointed towards them.

“You’re working with her?” asked Fitz.

What did that mean? She was offended. Gwen stopped a few feet from Kevin. Renita moved to stand in between the two of them.

“Actually, I am working with her,” said Renita, referring to Gwen. “Kevin does not really work; he just stands around flexing his muscles.”

“Yeah, how about I flex ’em in your face?” asked Kevin.

“Who are these jokers, man?” asked the second male.

He was a white guy wearing a yellow, white and black biker jacket. The first guy was black wearing an orange, white and black biker jacket. He had a barely their mustache and beard.

“I can’t tell you,” said Fitz. “I’m just the middleman.”

“We’re just some regular old folks who are beginning to think this is a big, fat waste of our time,” said Gwen.

“What do we have?” asked Renita looking at Kevin.

Kevin turned to look at the tech.

“I’ve never seen anything like ‘em, Ren,” said Kevin. “They’re complex. Must be Level Nine Tech at least.

The Omnitrix started making noises. It was whirring an orange color. This was not new, but it was still unusual. Her Omnitrix has only done this a couple of times before.

“Whatever they are,” said Renita. “They’re screwing up the Omnitrix.”

“What’s with you guys?” asked the orange jacket biker. “I’ve never met buyers like you before.”

“You never met anyone like them before because they’re not just black-market lowlifes like you,” said the female voice. “They’re Plumbers.”

It sounded a little familiar. Was she someone she knew? She knew about Plumbers. How did she know about it?

“You mean they’re gonna pay for this stuff by fixing my toilet?” asked the orange jacket biker.

“The Plumbers are a secret Intergalactic Police Force, saving the world so we don’t have to,” said the female in the red jacket.

“Oh, right, of course,” said Kevin. “We’re cops from outer space. Or maybe, we’re firemen from Atlantis.”

“How did you learn about these Plumbers you think we are?” asked Renita.

The female got off from the bike. She walked forward talking.

“Everything I know about the Plumbers,” said the female. “I learned the same way you did…” She removed her helmet. “Gwen.”

“Elena?” asked Renita.

Elena had short black hair that went down to her shoulders. She had black eyes. She wore a red leather jacket over a black shirt, black leather pants and black heels.

“No way,” said Gwen.

“How do you know me?” asked Elena. “Oh, you still remember me. I’m honored.”

“I was Ben Tennyson,” said Renita. “I go by Renita now.”

“Hello?” asked Kevin. “Can anyone toss me a clue as to what’s going on here?”

“Kevin, this is Elena Validus,” said Gwen. “She’s a Plumbers’ kid, like us.”

“Not like you, Gwen,” said Elena. “None of my ancestors were aliens. I don’t have any cool powers to rely on.”

She did her research. That was the only way she could know about their ancestors being different life-forms. Why did Elena research her family? How did she do the research? Did she have the ability to research Plumber secrets? Renita wanted to know because there was much research she wanted to conduct.

“We hung out for a while back in the day,” said Renita. “Then Elena’s dad quit. Though that might not be the real case. You were said to have moved away, and we have not heard from you since.”

“Is that what they told you?” asked Elena. Why ask a question that I already answered. “That my dad quit? Considering that you have more power than all the Plumbers combined, you sure don’t know much.”

“Then tell me what happened?” asked Renita. “What is going on? Why are you here with these chips?”

“I’m here to find you,” said Elena. “The Plumbers don’t exactly advertise. I need your help, Renita. It’s my father. He’s been abducted.”

“Call the cops,” said Kevin.

“They can’t help,” said Elena. “His disappearance is connected with these alien chips.”

“We will help you find him, Elena,” said Renita. “You are a Plumbers’ kid and a friend.”

“Am I, Renita?” asked Elena. “Really? Because life’s been pretty hard for the last three years, and I don’t recall you ever looking us up.”

“You obviously do not know,” said Renita. “I was kidnapped by a Synthroid and have not been on Earth for the last three years. I have only been back for over six months. Any power I have is unknown to me.”

A sound she did not think was good started. A crackling sound. She looked to see that the chips inside of the container were glowing orange and moving.

“What is that?” asked Gwen. “Elena?”

“I don’t know,” said Elena.

“It’s a double-cross,” said Kevin.

“A trap, Ren,” said Gwen.

Renita did not think that was true.

“No!” said Elena. “I swear it. I just wanted your help.”

“Don’t wanna impose on your little dysfunctions, so…” said Fitz before he turned and ran.

The chips had moved faster and faster until a bright light was starting to shine. The chips broke their container, flying all around everyone.

“What are these things?” asked the yellow jacket biker.

That was when she heard an older male voice.

“Bring them back to us,” it said.

Renita tried to get her Omnitrix to work but it did not respond to her. She hated when her Omnitrix stopped responding to her. It was always at the worst time.

“Kevin, I think you were right about these not being ordinary computer chips,” said Renita.

“Stay down,” said the orange jacket man.

These chips swarmed around everyone. Renita ran over to a spot that had a beam hanging in the air. She jumped up onto some junk to take a hold of the beam and swing it around. The swarm of chips ran right into it. The swarm of chips moved away from everyone and gathered at one end. It moved into a single moving group that narrowed like a drill. It started to move towards the group of people.

“Gwen,” called out Renita.

Gwen did a backflip and landed on her feet in a crouch. She threw a mana blast at them. The mana blast scattered them.

“Ren,” said Gwen. “I don’t mean to backseat drive, but it might be a good time for the Omnitrix.”

Gwen was blasting the swarms that got close to her. Renita had known what she was going to say and had been looking at her Omnitrix. It was still orange and making a weird noise. The interface that was normally staring up at her was gone. She could see no life-forms on it.

“Not,” said Renita. “I believe it is having a meltdown or something.”

“Don’t sweat it dude,” said Kevin. He took off his jacket and grabbed the rusted yellow beam and started absorbing the metal from it. “If you can’t handle it. I know someone who can.”

Kevin knew as well as Gwen that Renita avoided using her mana because Dr. Cull was still out there. She also did not want to use them around humans that did not know about her powers. That included Elena. Kevin kicked out from the beam and smacked his feet into a swarm of the chips.

“What’s going on?” asked the orange jacket biker.

“They’re all, like, freaks or something,” said the yellow jacket biker.

“Let’s get outta here, man,” said the orange jacket biker.

The two got onto their bikes after strapping on their helmets. They drove away. Renita grabbed one of the chips that were dead on the ground as he ran to Kevin’s car. The two bikers drove as fast as they could avoiding the swarm of chips. The chips were taking out the beams, throwing them around as they chased the bikers.

The bikers crashed through the window on one side of the factory. Renita had been looking at the chip in her hand. There was something different about it. It had mana inside of it. It was pulsing as if the mana was being fed to it. She brought it up to show Gwen how the chip pulsed orange.

“They are not just chips,” said Renita. “It is some kind of life-form nanotechnology.”

“The attack is too organized,” said Gwen. “There must be intelligence behind it.”

Everyone looked around to see if they could find the one controlling the chips. Elena was moving around to dodge the chips that were swarming around her. Renita looked up to see a man standing up on top of a metal beam. He was bending his knees backwards as he pulled his arms to him.

“I do not know if he is intelligent, but I think we found the puppeteer,” said Renita.

The swarm of chips moved into a tornado like vortex. The chips moved up to cover the puppeteer.

“That’s not good,” said Kevin.

“Ready or not,” said Renita.

Renita twisted the Omnitrix as it flashed orange and green. During the brief green moments, she could see the different life-forms that she had access to. It was time for her to change forms because Elena was still here. She ran towards the swarm as she finally was able to push it down.

The change started to take her over, but it was not the one she had wanted. She had wanted to change into the Arachnichimp but instead she changed the Necrofriggian. She jumped into the air and unfurled her wings. This form will work too. She felt happy taking this form because it reminded her of her children.

Gwen shot a mana blast at the swarm of chips, but they parted in the middle to allow the blast to harmlessly pass through.

“Hold on, Gwen,” said Renita.

She went to blow ice on to the chips but was hit in the back. She shook herself and dodged a few more swipes aimed at her. She iced up the nano chip swarm. The ice covered all of it before exploding into chunks. Renita dodged the flying ice before flapping over to the three of them.

“Are you all right?” asked Renita.

“Yeah, thanks,” said Elena.

“Who is that guy, Elena?” asked Kevin.

“I don’t know,” said Elena.

“Let us find out,” said Renita.

The old guy threw a ball of nano chips at her. Renita rolled out of the way. She tried to ice the old dude, but he jumped away while throwing a ball of nano chips at Gwen.

“No,” said Renita.

She tried to follow that she could get in front of it. Gwen moved to jump. Kevin ran to cover her.

“Gwen,” called Kevin.

He moved to cover her as the nano chips exploding once they hit the ground. Renita landed, changing back into her human form.

“Gwen, are you okay?” asked Renita.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” said Gwen.

“Who is that guy?” asked Kevin.

“I think you mean, who was he?” asked Renita. “Elena?”

Renita looked around to see if she could find her. She was not around. Her bike was gone too. She must have left while Renita was distracted. That did not show good faith. Elena must have recognized the old guy that attacked them. Did he really attack them? It seemed like he was trying to gather up the stolen nano chips.

“If you’re looking for your girlfriend, I think your personal charm was too much for her,” said Kevin.

“She is not my girlfriend,” said Renita. “I am into Blonko, and he is a man.”

“Kevin was right,” said Gwen. “She set us up.”

“Did she?” asked Renita. “I am not so sure.”

The group got into Kevin’s car. It was time to take this mystery apart. Renita asked Kevin to drive them to the underground Plumber base that Grandpa Max had set up while the Plumbers were no longer active on Earth. She knew it was Grandpa Max’s personal base and not connected to or associated to the Plumber’s base that became active after she was kidnapped.

Kevin blared music as he drove. He pulled up to the Bellwood Motors. It was only recently that Grandpa Max told them about the base underneath it. Renita did not blame Grandpa Max for keeping secrets close to his chest, but she was tired of him hiding secrets that she needed to know.

“This whole thing is wrong from top to bottom,” said Renita after she got out of the car. She was looking at her Omnitrix that was still glitching.

“Yeah,” said Kevin walking around the front of his car. “Starting with that crazy biker babe girlfriend of yours.”

“Elena is not my girlfriend, Kevin,” said Renita. She started walking away. “We were, like, 12. Please stop with that joke. It is done in poor taste.”

“Her story doesn’t add up, Ren,” said Gwen. “Why sell alien tech on the black market just to find the Plumbers when her father used to be one?”

“She said that something happened to her dad back when they lived here,” said Renita turning to stare at Gwen and Kevin. She knew she was giving Elena the benefit of the doubt, but everyone deserved a chance. “And we were not told the truth about it. If that is the case, Grandpa Max has some serious explaining to do.”

Renita walked inside of the shop. This place actually was a shop even if there was a base underneath it. Ed, the mechanic that worked the shop knew about it. He was familiar with Renita, Gwen and Kevin going into the back of the shop to access the base. Ed used to be a Plumber himself that worked under Grandpa Max back in the day as a mechanic for the Plumbers.

“I’m sorry, that old girl’s gonna need new pistons,” said Ed. “There’s no getting around it.”

He was wearing a red button up shirt with his name on a name tag attached to it. He never wore it closed; she could see the white tank top underneath it. Ed was bald with a short beard and mustache. Ed was good at his job. The shop made money which helped fuel the base.

“Hey, Ed,” said Renita.

“Hey guys,” said Ed.

“Gotta grab something out of the back,” said Renita.

“Hey, Ren, you going to the game tomorrow?” asked Molly.

“Um, I hope so, Molly,” said Renita. “I just got hit with some serious homework.”

“You know Renji, all work and no play,” said Kevin.

Kevin had been inside of the fridge that was there for those that worked in the shop to place food inside of. Kevin, Gwen and Renita used it too. Kevin almost always grabbed something out of it. Renita ignored the mana that told her Elena was outside watching them.

“Seriously, look, that’s the best I can do for you,” said Ed. “I don’t make the price; I just fix the cars.”

Renita grabbed the wrench that had the key to open the door that would lead them to the base. She unlocked it just as Kevin approached them. Gwen had the nano chip in her hand examining it. She placed the key back into the can sitting on top of a bookcase.

“I don’t recognize it, and I really don’t like it,” said Gwen.

“Neither do I,” said Renita. “The sooner we get that under the scanner, the sooner we can hunt down that creep and his army of flying chips.”

Renita opened the door. The metal door in front of her opened up, one moving up and the other moving down to reveal another wooden door that moved up.

“You mean the chips your gal pal illegally had in her possession?” asked Kevin.

“All right, Kev,” said Gwen. “I think he gets it.”

The group got onto the elevator. Kevin had a cold pizza in his hand and opened the can of soda with his nail to drink from it.

“I do not get what you see in him,” said Renita looking at Gwen.

The doors closed on their own. The elevator went down. The group got off the elevator and walked through the almost dark room. This place was built using a lot of hi-tech. Renita wondered why Grandpa Max wanted to make the base the way he did, but she could do nothing about it but use it.

“System’s up,” said Renita.

Lights came on. It was huge green screens and several computers.

“Good afternoon, Renita,” said a computer voice. “Now activating all partitions.”

Renita sat down at a computer she was about to activate herself to do some research. She was coming along with the technology she had missed while she had been gone.

“Ren, did you ask Grandpa Max if we could use the Comm Center?” asked Gwen.

“You wanna start solving this thing or do you wanna go looking for a permission slip?” asked Renita.

Renita started typing on the keyboard, bringing up programs that will allow them to scan and check what the nano chip was supposed to be. He used his new knowledge to help analyze the nano chip. Kevin and Gwen were on either side of her running different programs.

“Engaging comprehensive interior and exterior scan,” said the computer. “Biological and inorganic matter detected. Molecular density in inert.”

“Austenitic, ferritic and martensite phase microstructure,” said Gwen. “Both organic and inorganic materials.”

“Gwen, you are a credit to the science club,” said Renita.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Kevin. “I mean, it’s tech, but it’s also a carbon-silken based life form.”

“So, they are alive,” said Renita. “I am liking these less and less.”

“Well, they were alive, kind of,” said Kevin. “Now they’re in alien chip heaven.”

“Let me see if I can trace where they came from,” said Gwen. “They’re completely inert. I can’t pick up any energy signature. What now?”

Renita could not sense any mana from the nano chips. It would be hard to trace something like that. It did not even exude machine mana. Renita knew what they needed to do. They needed to speak to Elena. She had the answers they were seeking even if she did not know it.

“Well, maybe I can jump start an energy pulse, but it will take forever, and it’ll be a total pain in the ass,” said Kevin. “All right, I’ll get right on it.”

“Or, we could find Elena, and ask her where they came from,” said Renita.

“What makes you think that she would tell you the truth?” asked Gwen. “She could have set us up.”

“She is one of us,” said Renita.

“She was one of us,” said Gwen. “You have no idea who she is now. You can’t trust her.”

“Evidently, I cannot trust anyone,” said Renita. “I cannot even trust Grandpa Max.”

“Trust me to do what?” asked Grandpa Max. He was eating cereal.

Renita had sensed that he was in the building, but she had not thought he was that close. It did not matter to her. Grandpa Max had a lot to answer to. There were a lot of unsolved questions, and she was going to get all the answers. It was a matter of whether or not Grandpa Max would give them.

“Hey, Grandpa,” said Gwen. She walked around the spot she was at. Renita turned to look at him. Kevin spun around. “We can’t trust you to make soup without putting baked hummus, or lizard gizzards in it.”

“Hmm,” said Grandpa Max. “That sounds like a pretty good combo. What are you guys doing down here in the hole on off hours?”

“Uh, we had a little situation,” said Kevin.

“Commencing scan,” said the computer voice.

“Hey, what’s that?” asked Grandpa Max. He put his bowl down. “Looks familiar. I’ve seen that somewhere before.”

“You have?” asked Gwen. “Where?”

“Grandpa Max, there is something you need to explain,” said Renita.

“Unidentified intrusion at entryway three,” said the computer voice.

Renita could feel Elena’s mana getting closer. Why was she here? How did she get in? Would Grandpa Max explain everything once she was before them. Renita got up from her seat. She wanted to get to Elena before the others did to see if they could talk for a minute alone.

“Sounds like we’ve got an uninvited guest,” said Grandpa Max. “Kev, punch up a tracker on the complex.”

Renita was already walking away from them.

“No need,” said Gwen. “I’ve got ‘em.”

That was not good. Gwen was getting better at tracking, which was good in itself but at this moment it was inconvenient. Renita was heading for the spot she knew Elena to be at. Gwen, Kevin and Grandpa Max were behind her.

“They’re in Max’s office,” said Gwen.

“They better not touch my model train set,” said Grandpa Max. He pulled out a gun and put in the clip, loading it and cocking back the hammer. “I just painted the caboose.”

They ran into the room. Renita walked to the spot where Elena had most likely ducked behind when she heard them coming. It was too late to pull her aside to speak in private. Gwen found her quicker than Renita thought she would. Gwen, Kevin and Grandpa Max had looked around until Gwen located her.

“Over here, guys,” said Gwen.

“Whoever you are, you picked the wrong place to break into,” said Kevin as he approached the table. He started to absorb the metal. “You’re gonna be one fried, roasted and baked…” Elena stood up… “babe?”

“It is okay, Grandpa Max,” said Renita. She pushed the gun down. She was tempted to take it away. “You probably do not recognize her, she is …”

“It’s not okay,” said Grandpa Max. He pulled his gun back up. “It’s a Validus. How’d you get in here?”

Elena held up the wrench with the key.

“It’s time to get Big Ed some glasses,” said Kevin.

“Been a long time, Mr. Tennyson,” said Elena.

“You shouldn’t have come here, Elena,” said Grandpa Max.

“Grandpa Max, Elena was the one who set up the sale of those weird chips,” said Gwen.

“Of course,” said Grandpa Max. “I knew I’d seen those before. It’s time for you to go.”

“Mr. Tennyson, I had to do that,” said Elena. “I need help, and it was they only way I could think of to get it.”

“You know the rules,” said Grandpa Max.

“It’s my father,” said Elena. “He’s been kidnapped by whoever, or whatever made those chips. I knew that only the Plumbers could help.”

“Get her outta here,” said Grandpa Max looking to Kevin.

“You are not serious,” said Renita. “She needs help.”

“That’s an order,” said Grandpa Max.

“You heard the man,” said Kevin.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but he means it,” said Gwen. She grabbed Elena’s arm to lead her away with Kevin. “Come on, Elena.”

“Then I’ll tell you what’s going on, Gwen,” said Elena. She remover her arm from Gwen’s grip. “Your sweet old grandpa turned his back on us three years ago… Threw us out on the street when we needed his help, lied to you to cover his tracks. Now, my father is in serious trouble and Max still won’t help us.”

“Is that true?” asked Renita. “Can we not just talk to her?”

“No, Ren,” said Grandpa Max. “Anything she said would be a lie. Kevin.”

Grandpa Max moved his head towards Elena.

“Thanks for the help,” said Elena. “You guys are real heroes. And, Ren, thanks for being a real friend.”

Kevin moved to grab her arm, but Elena jerked herself away from him and turned to walk out on her own.

“What is wrong with you?” asked Renita.

“There’s nothing wrong with me, but there’s a lot wrong with her. She’s Victor Validus’ daughter.”

“Okay, I’m sufficiently stumped,” said Gwen. “What’s going on here?”

Grandpa Max moved to his computer to bring up the information of the person he was talking about. The screen read Plumber Service Record along with the name and big white letter blocked out in red saying Disavowed. It had a picture of him and his Plumber ID.

“Dr. Victor Emilio Validus,” said the computer voice. “Plumber I.D. 81-950.”

“Victor Validus was the best Plumber I ever trained,” said Grandpa Max. “We stopped more than our share of invasions. I trusted Vic with my life. I wanted to trust the running of this place to him. Until he betrayed me.”

“What?” asked Renita.

“He was caught stealing alien technology from our vaults,” said Grandpa Max. “Tech that he swore he’d protect the earth from. He was given a dishonorable discharge. A traitor.”

“Traitor’s daughter’s left the building,” said Kevin as he walked back into the room.

“What did he steal?” asked Gwen.

“Same stuff Elena was dealing,” said Grandpa Max. “You still think she’s the girl you know?”

“She told us the truth about one thing, you lied to us,” said Renita.

“I did that for your own good,” said Grandpa Max. “You were too young to understand.”

“I still do not understand,” said Renita. “You cannot judge her by what her father did.”

“Ren, stay away from her,” said Grandpa Max. “The Validus family is blacklisted. There can be no interaction between them and the Plumbers.”

“You would abandon someone in trouble when it is the Plumbers job to save those in need,” said Renita. “That may be the way you see it. The way I see it, a friend is in trouble. And she is the best link we have to those chips and the freak who is controlling them. A whole lot more people could end up in trouble besides Elena and her father.”

“That’s why we are going to analyze those chips and take care of this crisis by the book,” said Grandpa Max. “I am not gonna boot up this whole operation on the word of that one girl.”

Renita nodded her head. She was not going to get anywhere with her Grandpa Max like this. She needed to go off on her own. Renita could not and would not allow someone in need to be ignored.

“Ren,” said Grandpa Max. Renita stopped and turned to look at her Grandpa Max. “That is my decision.”

“It is the wrong decision,” said Renita.

“I order you to stay away from her,” said Grandpa Max.

“Sorry, Grandpa Max, I am not following that order,” said Renita.

“Ren,” said Gwen coming around to stand in front of Renita. “You can’t break Plumber ranks.”

“It is a good thing we are not Plumbers,” said Renita. “We are only deputized Plumbers, not actual Plumbers. I am the leader of this team, and if Grandpa Max was to relieve me of that position, I will do this alone. Someone is in need, and it is my job to help.”

“Grandpa Max don’t let her do this,” said Gwen.

“It’s not up to me,” said Grandpa Max. “She’s made her choice.”

“Kev?” asked Renita.

“Somebody’s gotta stay here and look after the old man,” said Kevin.

“Kevin,” said Gwen. “Stop him.”

“Do not worry,” said Renita. “I can handle myself.”

Renita walked to the elevator to leave the underground base. She left the elevator and went behind the shop to teleport home into her garage where her bike was stored. She put on her leather jacket that looked just like her normal jacket, slipped on her helmet and opened the garage. She rolled her bike out of the garage before closing it.

She sat on her bike, kicked up the stand and turned the engine on. She drove away from her house. Renita could tell where Elena was and the direction she was heading. It was time to meet her halfway. Elena needed to tell her something. Renita was able to meet her at a four way. Both of them stopping next to each other.

Elena’s bike pointed one way with Renita’s pointing another way. They both turned off their bikes and took off their helmets. Renita could tell Elena had not expect her to find her.

“What do you want?” asked Elena.

“The same as you,” said Renita. “I want to help you find him.”

“What about your Gramps?” asked Elena.

“Not too thrilled about it,” said Renita. “He cannot stop me.”

“And you’re helping me anyway?” asked Elena.

“I am,” said Renita.

“Nice bike,” said Elena.

“Thank you,” said Renita. “My parents and Grandpa Max got it for me. Helping you is my choice, and I do not care that he’s angry at me.”

“I’m sorry,” said Elena. “That’s my fault.”

“No,” said Renita. “It is his fault. Let us find your dad. First stop, wherever you got your hands on those chips.”

“We need to head to the city I currently live in,” said Elena.

She gave Renita the address. The two drove the hour away. It was weird that she had lived an hour away from her the whole time. Renita wondered what her life had been like for the last three years. Elena might have had a hard time, but so did Renita. Once in the city, Elena led the way to where her dad spent the most of his time.

When they arrived in the neighborhood, it was nighttime. The building in which they parked in front of was sitting on a hill. It had stairs and was at least two stories tall. The two of them turned off their bikes and removed their helmets. Renita made sure her bike was stable before getting off of it.

“My dad started acting really weird a couple months ago,” said Elena. “I followed him one night to this place.”

“Hanging out around here certainly classifies as weird,” said Renita.

The two of started up and into the building. It looked abandoned. Renita stopped and looked up to the windows. There were several mana signatures inside of the building. Did Elena lead her into a trap? There was the weird nano chip mana inside as well. Elena stopped and turned to look at Renita.

“Ren, are you coming?” asked Elena.

“Is there anyone inside of there?” asked Renita.

“No,” said Elena. “My dad owns the whole building. I have never run into another soul the last couple of times I came here.”

It did not feel like she was lying to her. She followed Elena inside but could not stop herself from hearing that old man’s voice again.

“That’s a good girl,” said the old man voice. “Bring him here to us. He can’t help you now.”

The old man must be the one in charge. If this was not a trap, Renita would show that old guy that she could help Elena. Renita removed the chair keeping the front door closed off to the side so they could actually enter the building. It was a mess, rundown with a single light in the hallway.

“What was he doing, racing cockroaches?” asked Renita.

“He has a laboratory set up,” said Elena. “Whatever he was working on, he didn’t want me involved. Then he stopped coming home at all. Come on.”

Chapter Text

Elena lead Renita up the stairs and to a room that looked like it had been rifled through. Renita could tell that some of the mana signatures left the building. Others were still inside of the building. Renita did not understand what was going on but she was sure it had something to do with the picked clean room.

“To the final staging area,” said the old guy. “Take care of our guests.”

So it was not a trap. It would be guest if it was. Elena was in just as much danger as she was from these mana signatures. Renita should say something.

“What was he doing here?” asked Renita.

“He was studying the chips,” said Elena walking to a table in the middle of the room.

“When your dad takes up a hobby, he does not mess around,” said Renita.

“Someone’s been here,” said Elena, “taking things.”

“Or looking for things,” said Renita as she picked something up from the table. “Elena, these notes, he was not studying the chips, he was upgrading, developing them. Look at all this. Your dad was crazy.”

“You’re wrong,” said Elena. “He’s a brilliant man, he just became possessed by his work.”

“Why?” asked Renita.

“He said these things posed some kind of threat,” said Elena. “The Plumbers did not believe him, so he took them. Now they won’t lift a finger to help him.”

“And Grandpa Max is kind of a stickler about the Plumber rulebook,” said Renita.

“This is where I found those chips in storage canisters,” said Elena from her crouched position. “They were all over the place.”

“Looks like your dad had business with Ship-it,” said Renita. She was holding a receipt from today. “You think he could have sent the chips somewhere? Well, whoever has your dad wanted these chips. The freak from the drop. Do you know who that is?”

Renita pocketed the receipt. The mana signatures left in building were making their way to them. She needed to be ready. Renita would have said something about them, but she wanted to speak to them and see if they could get information out of it. Their next stop was going to be Ship-it, so she just wanted information.

“I have no idea,” said Elena. “I just want my father back, Ren.”

“We will get him,” said Renita. “I promise, but first we have to deal with our visitors.”

“Visitors,” said Elena.

The floor creaked as the mana signatures walked into the room. Elena and Renita turned to look at them.

“Who are you?” asked Renita. “What do you want?”

The man in the business suit spoke to them. “We want to help you.”

“No thank you, we are good,” said Renita. “Just browsing.” Their eyes flashed orange like the chips had been doing. “Look at their eyes.”

“It’s not just their eyes,” said Elena. She pointed to one of their necks. “Look, the chips.”

“They are infected,” said Renita. “They are being controlled.”

“We want you to meet the queen,” said the nurse.

“And we would love to do that, but all that bowing and curtsying, I do not think so,” said Renita. “There is too many of 'em, like they were expecting us... like this is a trap.”

“No, I swear it,” said Elena.

“I know it was not you,” said Renita. “That freak from the warehouse was here. He must have known you would come here. They probably want to infect us too.”

“Looks like we could use some help,” said Renita. “From a static squiggly blob? Not good.”

“Fire escape,” said Elena. “Run.”

The two of them headed for the fire escape as the infected ran after them. She pushed open the door only to be attacked by one of them. Renita hit that one in the face, knocking them down to the ground.

“Ren,” said Elena.

They raced down the stairs. The zombie like people chasing after them. The two ran to the front where they left their bikes at. There are more of them, walking towards them. They stopped right behind their bikes.

“No,” said Elena. “What do we do?”

The two of them run up to the sides of the bike.

“Okay, I think I have it,” said Renita. “If these chips are actually alive, like some form of techno-organic interface, then the Omnitrix must be in overdrive to scan them.”

“Can we have this pop quiz another time?” said Elena.

Not really, now was the time for her to piece everything together to help them out of this situation.

“Maybe I can redirect the scan back at the chips,” said Renita. “If I can boost the power.” Renita moved through the Omnitrix interface. She found the one that allowed her to adjust the power of the scan and be able to reflect it. She loved the Omnitrix. “I have it.”

The Omnitrix released a blast, and it flung several of the zombie people backwards away from them. It blasted more than people than Renita thought.

“Not bad,” said Renita.

“Not great, either,” said Elena. “Come on, let’s go.”

The two of them got onto their bikes, putting on their helmets as fast as possible. They start driving away, avoiding the zombie people as much as they could. One of them clocked Elena in the face, making her crash her bike. It was a good thing, she had not speed up enough to do real injury. She might be slightly bruised now.

I could not allow her to become chipped like the others. Renita drove to Elena and slide the bike sideways for Elena.

“Elena, get on,” said Renita.

Elena got onto the bike. Renita drove away. As she was driving away, Elena stood up and clocked one of them. She sat back down on the bike. Renita drove them to a street where there was no one around. She stopped them bike and turned it off so the two of them could talk. Renita took off her helmet and placed it down in front of her.

“Thanks,” said Elena. “You’re pretty good on this thing.”

“You can hold your own in a fight,” said Renita.

“So, what do we do now?” asked Elena.

“We visit the shipment center and find out what your dad was up to,” said Renita. “Maybe even find your dad.”

“Whatever he sent is long gone now,” said Elena.

“Are you sure about that?” asked Renita. She pulled out the shipping receipt she had slipped into her pocket. “This was dated today. I thought you said he has been missing for weeks.”

“He has,” said Elena. “You believe me, don’t you?”

“I believe we will find something at Ship-It,” said Renita.

Elena and Renita put their helmets back on and they drive off into the city. They needed to find a Ship-It center in this city. They stopped over a bridge pass because Renita realized she had zero clues as to where a Ship-It center would be in this city. If it had been Bellwood, that would be different. She pulled out her phone and used the google feature to find it.

“The Ship-It office is right up over there,” said Renita.

They heard a loud car drive by. Renita knew the sound of that car. What was Kevin doing in this city? Was Gwen with him? They would need to check it out. Renita locked onto Kevin’s mana and noted that Gwen was with him. She would follow the mana to them. There had to be a reason, he was driving like that.

“What was that?” asked Elena.

“The most obnoxious muscle car in the world,” said Renita. “We are taking a detour.”

Renita drove them to the area where Kevin and Gwen’s mana had stopped moving. She noticed a huge glowing orange ball with spikes. It was time to take action. She threw off her helmet and turned her Omnitrix to the Vaxasaurian. This life-form should do the trick to take care of the problem.

“Take over,” said Renita.

“Are you crazy?” asked Elena.

She stood up and jumped off the bike pushing down on the Omnitrix. Renita allowed the transformation to overtake her. She landed on the ground, bigger and stronger than before. Renita roared at the huge, spiked ball. Renita hardened her shoulders, hands, and arms up to her elbow. She did not want to be vulnerable in those spots. Spikes grew out of her spine.

“Nice timing,” said Kevin.

Renita started punching the spiked ball, sending chips flying everywhere. The chips that were not attached to the spiked ball turned into three thin medium rotating spiked wheels.

“That’s kinda whatev,” said Kevin.

“That’s kind of a nightmare,” said Gwen.

The three rotating wheels spun around Renita, launching chips like missiles. Renita punched one and destroyed it. Two more came after her and she destroyed those as well. Five more were formed and launched missile chips at her. They kept coming and there was nothing she could do but protect herself from them hitting her face.

Kevin, Gwen and Elena were hiding behind some concrete roadblocks. Renita ran forward and they surrounded her. The chips separated and attacked her individually.

“It’s got the Vaxasaurian,” said Elena.

“I wouldn’t count on it,” said Gwen.

Renita was completely surrounded by the chips. She jumped up to break free from them. She landed next to Kevin’s already damaged car. The chips formed into a worm like spiked vortex. Renita picked up Kevin’s car. It was time to use it to put an end to these chips once and for all.

“Oh, no,” said Kevin. “Don’t do what I think you’re gonna do.”

Sorry, Kevin. Renita will fix the car afterwards, right now she needed it. Renita jumped up into the air to meet the front of it and slammed the car into it. The chips tore the car apart and broke apart themselves. Renita landed on the ground as car parts and chips rained down around her. With a last roar, Renita returned to her human form. She walked to the three of them.

“That was so cool,” said Elena.

“Are you okay, Ren?” asked Gwen.

“You destroyed my car,” said Kevin.

“What were you doing here?” asked Renita.

“Well, I had a sudden urge to ship something overnight, and suddenly we’re up to our neck in your girlfriend’s chips. And that’s right about the time you came along and annihilated my car.”

“She is not my girlfriend,” said Renita. “Stop saying that!”

“Those chips aren’t mine,” said Elena. “I was trying to warn you.”

“Thanks,” said Kevin. “I’ll consider myself warned.”

Kevin kicked a piece of his car as he walked away. He wouldn’t be anger for long.

“They’re more than just autonomous tech,” said Gwen. “We found a hive of them at the Ship-It office, and they’re infected the clerk, absorbed him.”

“We ran into his extended family, and they wanted to adopt us,” said Renita, rubbing her shoulder.

“No kidding,” said Gwen. “They must have analyzed the threat and evolved.”

“They are clearly a highly adaptive species,” said Renita.

“And it looks like they still have some life left in them,” said Elena.

“We’ve gotta get some of these active chips back to the lab right away,” said Gwen.

“Maybe they’ll give us a clue about what happened to my father,” said Elena.

“Maybe we’ll give you a call because you’re not coming with us,” said Kevin walking back to the group, holding the dancing hula girl in his hand. “You’re trouble in a jug.”

“Oh, I’m coming with you, all right,” said Elena.

“Ren, didn’t Elena just lead you into a nest of techno-organic zombies?” asked Gwen.

“She’s coming,” said Renita. “One, she is in too much danger on her own right now, those things wanted to absorb her too. And two, I trust her.”

The four of them looked at each other. Gwen and Kevin turning away in disappointment and disbelief.

“Speaking of which,” said Elena, she reached into her jacket pocket to pull out a card. She handed it to Kevin.

“What’s that?” asked Gwen.

“A quick and trustworthy cab service,” said Elena.

Gwen scoffed at Elena.

“They will not need it,” said Renita. “I am going to trust you with a huge secret of mine, Elena. I will know it was you if it gets leaked out.”

“Are you sure, Ren?” asked Gwen.

“You guys need a vehicle, and this is the quickest way,” said Renita. “Time is of the essence.”

She rotated her hurt shoulder as she turned to look at the mess that was Kevin’s car. She held out her hands as her eyes glowed purple. Her hands started glowing purple as well. Slowly car parts started glowing as they lifted off of the ground. Once all of the car parts were gathered up, she pulled them together.

A bright purple light enveloped the parts and once it died down, Kevin’s car was whole. It landed on the ground softly. Renita staggered as she released her hold on the car and mana. Gwen moved to help keep her standing. It took more mana than she thought it would to gather and piece together the car parts.

“It should be back to the way it was before the chips started damaging it,” said Renita.

“Sweet,” said Kevin.

He walked over to inspect it. Renita and Elena went to Renita’s bike. Once at the bike, Renita used mana to bring her helmet to her. Elena picked up her helmet off the ground.

“How did you do that?” asked Elena. “You being an Anodite wasn’t in the Plumber files.”

“Because I do not want people to know about it yet,” said Renita. “It has to do with my three-year disappearance. I do not wish to talk about it.”

The drive back was done in silence. Renita did not want to risk going back for Elena’s bike because of the zombie people. When they made it back to the underground base, they went through the back way because the shop was closed for the night. Lights were still on, and the computer was active.

“This is an all-point alert from field operative 219,” said a male voice. “Escalating incidents of an unidentifiable nature, presumed alien. Request immediate assistance.”

Renita heard the same message in several different voices from around the globe. This was getting bigger and bigger by the minute. Time to go easy was over, it was time to take them down for good. The four of them walked into the area where they could see Grandpa Max standing at his computer listening to the reports pouring in.

“Where in the Sam Hill has everybody been?” asked Grandpa Max when he spotted them. “I’m getting reports on alien activity from installed Plumbers all over the globe.”

“Grandpa Max, I,” started Renita.

“We can settle our problems later,” said Grandpa Max. “And she stays in the brig.”

“It is the chips,” said Renita. “Validus’ chips.”

“She told you that?” asked Grandpa Max.

“It’s true,” said Gwen. “The chips Validus stole have become active.”

“Very active,” said Kevin.

Gwen gave him one of the chips they had grabbed to inspect. He placed it under a microscope scanner to inspect it for himself. Everyone waited for him to finish his inspection. Renita, Kevin and Gwen was sitting at her computer looking at the scans from the microscope. They needed to find a way to neutralize them.

“These things were nothing more than extraterrestrial hardware,” said Grandpa Max. “This is impossible.”

“They also have a nasty habit of burrowing into people and taking over their minds,” said Renita.

“They have an unusual energy signature,” said Grandpa Max. “Can you use that to pinpoint it?”

Kevin hit a few buttons on his keyboard. “Already done,” said Kevin.

“Targets reanalyzed,” said a computer voice. The screens above lit up with new information. Several spots appeared on a huge map, showing off where the most concentration of chips. “Absolute locations appear in a radial curve. Target is experiencing exponential growth at an absolute rate of 10,000 to 1 on an ascendant curve.”

“Oh, that’s no one hundred-mile radius,” said Kevin.

“Millions of them,” said Renita.

“And spreading at an increasing rate,” said Gwen.

“So, in other words, they are a threat, just like my father said,” said Elena.

“Those things were not alive three years ago,” said Grandpa Max. “Your father’s tinkering probably activated ‘em somehow. Now they’re a threat to the entire world.”

“You’re wrong,” said Elena. “They were hibernating. Just ask your know-it-all granddaughter.”

“Knock it off, both of you,” said Renita. “Let us work on a solution, not blame.”

“Well, at least we know where they are,” said Gwen standing up.

“Well, what are we waiting for, let’s start shooting,” said Kevin, standing up with a gun loaded in his hand. He snaps the chamber shut.

“What about the people who are already infected?” asked Elena.

“If it’s between me and a Ship-It clerk,” said Kevin. “I’m gonna pick me.”

“No, Kev, there’s gotta be another way,” said Gwen.

“The queen,” said Renita.

“What?” asked Grandpa Max.

“That’s right,” said Elena. “The infected people, they all went on about their queen.”

“You mean a queen like in an insect colony?” asked Grandpa Max.

“In a beehive or anthill, there’s only one queen,” said Kevin. “She lays all the eggs, produces all the offspring, and tells everybody what to do.”

Renita looked at Gwen trying to understand how Kevin could sprout off smart information.

“The Science Channel,” said Gwen.

“How do you destroy a hive?” asked Elena.

“Remove the queen, the bees disband,” said Renita. “The queen dies, the hive dies. We have to find the queen.”

“All right, people, nobody sleeps tonight,” said Grandpa Max. “I’m gonna dissect these chips to see what they’re made of. Kevin, we need to find a more effective way around those drones. Gwen, find a way to disrupt the connection between those things and their human host. Ren, they’re one hundred million chips out there. Gonna be like finding a needle in a haystack to find the queen in there, but get on it.”

Grandpa Max turned to each as he gave off instructions for each team member. Kevin and Gwen sat down in their chairs after getting their instructions. Renita stood staring at the map of the world. That was a tall order. He turned to Elena. She would do it, because there had to be something that separated the queen from the rest.

“Now, Elena, since you’re here, you’ll help too,” said Grandpa Max. “I don’t want her going two feet without an escort.”

“Let us do this,” said Renita.

Renita sat down at her computer. Elena sat down beside her. Everyone worked on what they were supposed to be working on. Renita had to narrow it down.

“My calculations recommend point-specific analysis gradient to regional demographics as related to current geographic coordinates,” said the computer voice. “Now commencing thermal and spatial analysis of all targets. Duration six hours.”

Five hours into working on the computers, Renita could feel Kevin was asleep and Gwen was really tired. Renita had been absorbing mana during this whole time to keep her energies up. Gwen did not know how to do that yet. She stopped what she was doing and moved her chair to be besides Gwen.

“Gwen, why not get some shut-eye?” asked Renita. “We need that brain of yours working if things get hot.”

“Just for a few minutes,” said Gwen. “And you’d better wake me up.”

Gwen moved to sleep on her arm. Renita moved back to her computer, still going over the different areas where the concentration of the chips was the most. She needed to find where the queen was at. There had to be something she was missing from it all. What was she missing.

“You too, get some rest,” said Renita.

“No chance,” said Elena. “I’ll sleep when my dad is home, safe and sound.”

“Suit yourself,” said Renita. She was not going to be forcing anyone to do anything.

“Thanks, Ren,” said Elena. “For taking the risk to help me, for going up against the team.”

“Just like old times, right,” said Renita. The guys did not want you on the soccer team and I stood up to them for you to join. You ended up being our MVP.”

“You’re not doing this for old times’ sake,” said Elena.

“No, I am doing it because I know what it is like to be on your own in a tough situation you never chose to be in,” said Renita.” I did not ask to get stuck with this. It just happened.” She was referring to more than the Omnitrix when she said it. “And no one who is not me knows how that feels.”

“I think I do,” said Elena.

Renita continued to work on the map before she realized that she might have figured it out but wanted Grandpa Max to take a look at it to see if she was right. Grandpa Max was in his office, so that was where she was heading. It was dark in his office area. Where could her Grandpa Max be and why in the dark?

“Grandpa Max, we need help with a map analysis,” said Renita. “Grandpa Max?”

She turned on a light and saw that only three of the active chips were inside of the petri dish. That was not a good sign. Renita knew they picked up four of them. She turned around to see Grandpa Max holding a computer monitor over his head aiming to hit her with it. She reached up to his wrists.

She made him drop it to her left. It crashed to the ground making a loud noise.

“Snap out of it, Grandpa Max,” said Renita. “It is Renita.”

Elena, Kevin and Gwen showed up because of the crash. Renita was struggling to keep Grandpa Max from hurting her.

“Ren, stop,” said Gwen. “Grandpa Max.”

“We have to restrain him, but be careful not to,” said Renita. Kevin hit Grandpa Max over the head with a rubber hand. Grandpa Max fell to the floor unconscious. “Hurt him.”

“What?” asked Kevin. “He’s restrained.”

Kevin and Renita put Grandpa Max on a chair. Gwen bent down to be eye level with him.

“Grandpa Max, are you okay?” asked Gwen.

“We're fine,” said Grandpa Max. “Never better. Why are you all looking at us like that? We're great. We're happy. We're going to colonize earth.”

“He usually has a lot of odd jobs for us,” said Kevin. “But that one's new.”

“Grandpa Max,” said Gwen.

“Fight it, Grandpa Max,” said Renita. “You can do it.”

“You can't stop what's coming,” said Grandpa Max. “The Plumbers are finished. Mankind is finished.”

Smoke blew into their faces, making everyone cough and blind at the same time.

“Grandpa Max,” called Renita. “Grandpa Max.”

The smoke started to clear away for everyone to be able to breath and see once again.

“Where did he go?” asked Elena.

“”No one knows these tunnels like Grandpa Max,” said Renita. “He is long gone.”

“Now what?” asked Gwen.

“Like it or not, he usually helps us out,” said Kevin. “We need him.”

“No, we do not,” said Renita. “He needs us. We have to find the queen and stop her. Or helping Max is going to be the least of our problems. Wherever that queen is, that is where we will find your father and Grandpa Max. We stop her, we stop the spread of these chips.”

“And just how do you suggest we do that?” asked Kevin.

“I will show you,” said Renita.

They went back to the main hub computer room. Renita pushed a button on the computer.

“Current geographic coordinates,” said the computer.

Several places came up with the highest concentration of the chips.

“Does anything seem weird to you guys about this map?” asked Renita.

“Color choices are a bit drab,” said Kevin. “Try sea foam blue.”

“Check out the concentration of the chips,” said Renita. “London, New York, Paris, Munich, and Central Missouri?”

“There are millions of people in all those cities, but that part of Missouri is,” said Elena.

“The middle of nowhere,” finished Kevin.

“It’s barely a town,” said Gwen. “The only thing in Barren Rock is the World Distribution Center for Ship-It.”

“Right,” said Renita. “Those shipments from the local hub would have been the first wave of sentry soldiers. Now we are talking total immersion.”

“And they need a big enough base to spread that many chips across the entire planet,” said Elena.

“Come on, they’re taking over the world by twenty-four hour shipping?” asked Gwen.

“What’s your brilliant theory?” asked Elena.

“Look, I think that is where the chips are being manufactured and distributed,” said Renita. “And that is where we will find the queen.”

“Sounds like we’re in for a road trip,” said Elena.

“What do you mean, we?” asked Gwen.

Renita turned to look at Gwen.

“Fine, she’s coming,” said Gwen.

“Now we just have to figure out how to get there,” said Renita. “I cannot take my bike out that far as it would be too cold to drive that far away . I doubt Kevin will allow Elena to ride with him.”

“I’ve got something to show you,” said Kevin.

Everyone followed Kevin up to the shop area. It was daylight and Ed was at work, busy getting ready to open the shop. Kevin whistled for Ed and the five of them made it to the back of the shop where a gray cloth was covering a car.

“Kevin made this for your birthday present,” said Ed.

“My birthday was two months ago,” said Renita.

“You can’t rush genius,” said Kevin.

He pulled the cloth off the car to reveal a black Mazda RX-8 with a green stripe on the bottom of the front of the car spanning across the sides. The car had a green spoiler that the stripes connected to and there was also a scoop on the hood. Renita felt her jaw hit the ground.

“Oh, my gosh, Kevin,” said Gwen. “It’s beautiful.”

“She,” said Kevin. She’s beautiful. You call a car a she. And you’re right. Don’t be jealous, you’ve got some good qualities, too.”

“A car,” said Elena. “Your friend built you a car.”

“Well, the weapons and defense systems aren’t online yet, but she’ll run,” said Ed.

“Yea, the fact is, she’ll pretty much eat anything in her path,” said Kevin.

“I do not know what to say,” said Renita. “I cannot wait to test her out.”

“Oh, you’re not driving,” said Kevin. “I said I was going to give you the car. That was before you bailed out on the team. I’m keeping her.”

“Why?” asked Renita. “It is not like you need two cars. And I am driving.”

“How do you figure?” asked Kevin.

“I will be happy to throw the car to Missouri,” said Renita.

Renita got into the driver side of the car, Kevin and Gwen got into the backseat. Elena got into the passenger side. Renita noticed that her car had a GPS installed. She input the address of their destination and drove off. She loved how the car shifted gears as they drove down the road. It was a thrill to be driving a car that moved smoothly.

“I like it,” said Renita. She was on call with Kevin in his car.

“I’m thrilled,” said Kevin.

It was a long several hours drive they made. By the time they got their it was late afternoon. Renita and Kevin parked their cars behind the Center. This way they would not call attention to themselves. The group walked across an abandoned bridge that was behind it.

“Missouri in February,” said Gwen. “A dream vacation, only 40 degrees colder.”

When they reached a good spot. They stopped to stare down at the busy center. A plane had just taken off from the place. There were over ten large shipping trucks and even more smaller shipping trucks. A few vans were driving around, a couple forklifts were spotted throughout and a lot of people walking around.

They were busy.

“Let me get a closer look,” said Renita. She put binoculars up to her eyes to look around. “It is like a small army.” She continued to look and saw a lot of normal people working. “Or not so small. Check it out.”

Renita handed it over to Gwen to look.

“We are going to be fighting some serious odds down there,” said Renita.

“The people,” said Gwen. “They’re all infected.”

Kevin took the binoculars and was looking through them.

“Oops,” said Kevin. “That’s coming out of your zombie paycheck.”

“All those crates are filled with chips,” said Gwen.

“God, there must be millions,” said Elena.

“Probably six billion,” said Renita. “That is how many people there are on earth. Okay, let us get inside.”

The group headed down into the area, dodging, ducking, and hiding themselves in shadows and behind things to ensure they do not get caught before they get inside of the building. They got close to the building and stood behind these tanks that held gas and oils for their vehicles.

“Looks like that's where we wanna be, right in there,” said Elena.

The spot she was talking about was where they were bringing out the crates full of chips.

“Oh no,” said Gwen. “Grandpa Max.”

Grandpa Max had a clip board in hand and was giving instructions to a guy wearing a trench coat. Gwen moved to go to him.

“Gwen, no,” said Renita. She grabbed her arm. “If he sees us, he will alert the others we do not belong here. He is one of them now. Hive mind. It is up to us.”

They made their way inside and up a floor so that we could look out at the working floor to see what was going on. Down below were several conveyor belts, a lot of people and shipping containers. In the center above them was the guy they fought at the beginning of this adventure.

He was hooked up to several hoses and was pumping out chips that were flowing into the containers as they moved down the belt. After they were placed into glass containers they were placed into the crates to be shipped out. It was terrible.

“It’s like a human assembly line,” said Gwen.

“No sign of her royal highness, the queen,” said Renita. “There is someone we know.”

“It’s the creep from back at the mill,” said Kevin.

“That’s Victor Validus,” said Gwen.

“I knew it,” said Kevin. “I told you not to trust her.”

“It’s not like that,” said Elena.

“You knew your father was behind this the whole time,” said Gwen.

“You said you did not know that guy,” said Renita.

“I don’t,” said Elena. “That’s not my dad. He’s become some kind of freak.”

“Well,” said Gwen. “I think we found out how they’re making those chips.”

“No,” said Elena.

Renita noticed two people walking close to them. That was not good. They were being too loud. They would be caught. They needed to move, now.

“You expect me to believe you’re on our side?” asked Kevin.

“I knew not to trust you,” said Gwen.

“No, you’re wrong,” said Elena. “You don’t understand.”

“You’ve got a lot of explaining to do,” said Kevin.

“Not here, she does not,” said Renita.

She ushered them away from that spot. They could not be caught right now. Not with this hive mind. In a different spot where they had less chance of being caught, they stopped. Kevin was angry. He slammed his hand against a cabinet. He absorbed the metal from it.

“They’re both in this together,” said Kevin. “It’s a trap.”

“Back off,” said Renita, blocking Kevin. “It is okay.”

“Yea, how is this okay?” asked Kevin.

“Ren, her father is reproducing those chips,” said Gwen. “He’s the one controlling this whole operation.”

“Is he?” asked Renita. She turned to look at Gwen. “It looks like the chips are controlling him, just like Grandpa Max.” She turned to look at Kevin. “It is not a trap. We would be swarmed by now if it was a trap.” She turned to look at Elena. “I trusted you, Elena.”

“I had to lie,” said Elena. “I knew you’d react like this. Refuse to help me, treat me like the enemy, just like they did to my father.”

“Then I guess you do not know us as well as you thought,” said Renita. She turned to look at Gwen. “Right?”

“I’m sorry,” said Elena. “I just wanted this nightmare to end.”

“Well,” said Gwen. “Looks like it’s just beginning.”

Renita turned to look at Victor Validus. That was when she came to a realization about everything she saw and heard before.

“So that is what those plans were for,” said Renita. She turned to look back at her team. “He was conducting tests on himself. He is the hive. His own body is producing them by the thousands, every minute.”

“In a colony, only the queen can reproduce,” said Gwen. “So…”

“The queen is inside of my dad,” said Elena.

“We gotta shut ‘em down, Ren,” said Kevin. “Destroy him, destroy the queen.”

“No,” said Elena. “You can’t.”

“I’m sorry, Elena, but Kevin may be right,” said Gwen. “If it’s a choice between one man and the entire human race…”

“You said you’d save him,” said Elena. “It’s not his fault. He’s being controlled by the queen.”

“Dude, I know this is hard, but unless you take out this guy, the whole world falls,” said Kevin. “You know what Max would do.”

“I do not know what Grandpa Max would do, but I know what I would not do,” said Renita. “I do not destroy victims, I save them.”

Chapter Text

“What’s your plan, Ren?” asked Elena.

“It looks like all the soldier chips have been rendered dormant for shipping,” said Renita. “If I stop the queen before she can activate them, it looks like we have a chance of beating this thing.”

Renita brought her wrist up to choose a life-form. Gwen walked up to stop her.

“Ren, wait a minute, what do we do if the Celestialsapien or Vaxasaurian gets absorbed by the hive?” asked Gwen. “It’s all over.”

“Absorbed by the hive is pretty much what I had in mind,” said Renita. “Remember when the Omnitrix scanned the chips’ DNA? I can fight them from the inside if I become one of them. The Omnitrix has been cooking this up the whole time. It is time to take it out of the oven.”

“Ren, this isn’t like anything that you’ve become before,” said Kevin.

“Kevin’s right,” said Gwen. “It’s a hive mind-based organism.”

“So?” asked Renita.

“So, I think the Omnitrix can turn you into one of these things, but I’m not so sure it can keep you in control once it does. You may become a permanent slave to the hive.”

“A turbo-charged killer weapon slave,” said Kevin.

“Ren, no,” said Elena. “I don’t wanna lose you, too.”

Wow, all three of them were together in stopping her from turning into one of the chips. It was a first since this whole thing started. That was good and bad. Renita was glad they were working as a team, but she also hated that they did not trust her judgment. They all thought it was a bad call.

“We are out of options,” said Renita. “I have to put my faith in the Omnitrix.”

“It always has to be your way, doesn’t it, Ren?” asked Gwen in anger. “Just like walking out on the Plumbers.”

“Okay,” said Renita. Elena walked by her. “So, maybe I should have stayed and talked it out, but this is different.”

“Why?” shouted Gwen.

“This is something I do not want to do,” said Renita. “I just do not see any other way.”

“Aaahh,” shouted Elena.

Renita turned to see that she had been grabbed.

“Elena,” said Renita.

Elena jut checked the person that grabbed her with her elbow before hitting him in the head with her fist. Everyone inside heard the fight and an alarm started to blare. The workers stopped what they were doing and started walking towards them.

“Guys, look,” said Elena.

“Ren, what do you want us to do?” asked Gwen.

“Keep them busy,” said Renita.

“How?” asked Gwen.

“I trust you,” said Renita.

Renita pushed the Omnitrix down on the new life-form in it. She does not feel any different, but the world got bigger somehow. She looked at herself and turned around to see that she was small.

“What?” asked Renita. “I am small.”

All of a sudden tech started to cover her body, quickly transforming her into a Nano-mechanical organism. It was weird to transform like this for the first time.

“What is that?” asked Kevin. His voice was loud.

“She’s turned into some kind of Nano-mechanical organism,” said Gwen. Her voice was loud.

“Nano-mech,” said Renita. “I like it.”

“Just like the chips,” said Gwen.

Renita flew upwards on her new wings. It was weird flying on them, but she got used to it after a little while. She headed for the one spot she needed to go. Inside of Victor Validus.

“Time to get small,” said Renita.

She made her body go smaller. She was too big still to go up his nose without the possibility to get stuck, so she went even smaller. She flew into his nose. It was gross. She continued flying.

“Listen to my voice,” spoke a female voice that sounded slightly mechanical. “You must obey. You’re one of us now, Ren Tennyson.”

Renita grabbed her head and groaned in pain.

“How can you care about the humans, when the universe is yours?” asked the Queen.

“No,” said Renita.

She threw a blast at the queen. The queen ducked. She removed her needle and shot a shock at him. It hurt a lot.

“You’re different from these other drones,” said the queen as they fought. “Stronger. Together, we can rule everything.”

They fired at each other, dodging the other’s blasts as they talked.

“Sorry,” said Renita. "I am already in a serious commitment.”

“Then you’ll die,” said the queen. She jumped at her. “With the humans.”

Renita jumped at her. Renita was hit with a huge charge of electricity. She stopped shocking him as they grappled with each other.

“You were a fool to transform into a drone,” said the queen. “I can easily defeat any puny drone.”

“I am not just any drone,” said Renita. “I am half-drone, half- human.”

Renita knocked the queen away from her.

“Drones can adapt,” said Renita. She brought out the same type of wires that enhance the queens' powers on her body. “And humans never give up.”

He charged up an attack and hit the queen full force. That destroyed the queen's body, thus breaking everyone from the queen’s control. Renita flew out of Victor Validus. She grew in size and transformed back into human self. It had been gross fighting inside of Victor Validus’ nose.

“He did it,” said Gwen.

“Dad,” called out Elena running up to her father.

“Elena,” said Victor.

“He’s alright,” said Elena.

Renita moved through the crowd to get to the middle where the group of teens were standing. She stopped and looked at them all.

“What am I, chopped liver?” asked Renita. “I saved the world, again.”

“Don’t look at me,” said Kevin. “I’m not hugging you.”

Elena walked up to hug Renita. They hugged briefly.

“Actually, you might not want to hug me so tight,” said Renita. “I flew through a lot of snot.”

“Grandpa Max,” said Renita.

Elena, Gwen and Kevin pulled the tubes out of Victor Validus as Renita walked out of the Ship-It through one of the truck doors. They were on a mission to find their grandfather. They had to move around the people walking out into the sunlight.

“Grandpa Max,” called Renita. “Where are you? Grandpa Max.”

A hand on her shoulder stopped her from walking forward. It was Grandpa Max. He had stopped her.

“You’ve got a lot of gall,” said Grandpa Max. “Disobeying orders, defying my authority.”

“Granpa Max, I,” started Renita.

“You know what that kind of behavior gets you?” asked Grandpa Max.

Grandpa Max pulled her in for a hug, laughing. Elena, Gwen, Kevin and Victor walked out of the building and moved to where Grandpa Max and Renita were waiting for them. Together, they all started to walk away from the building as a group.

“I’m sorry, Victor,” said Grandpa Max. “None of this would have ever happened if I had trusted you.”

“No, Max, it wasn’t right to go it alone,” said Victor. “Ren, thank you. I’m forever grateful.”

“You should be thanking your daughter,” said Renita. “If it was not for Elena, I’d be at a school football game right now.”

“He’s just being modest,” said Elena.

“Ren, modest,” said Kevin. “Impossible.”

“I guess we make a pretty good team,” said Renita.

“We make a great team,” said Elena.

“We’re more than that, we’re Plumbers,” said Gwen. “And the Plumbers have a pretty great leader.”

“Indeed, they do,” said Grandpa Max. “Ren, what would you say if I asked you to step in?”

“What?” asked Renita.

“Well, I’m not getting any younger,” said Grandpa Max. “And believe me, I’ve been waiting for this moment long enough.”

“I cannot take over,” said Renita.

“You already have, in a way,” said Grandpa Max. “That Omnitrix could have gone to anybody’s wrist. We just count ourselves lucky that if found yours.”

“I hate to say it, but Grandpa Max is right,” said Gwen.

“Can we at least get a thirty-day trial period?” asked Kevin.

Gwen hit him in the stomach lightly.

“Well, my first order of business will be to un-accept Grandpa Max’s resignation,” said Renita. “Sorry, you are not getting out of it that easy. Besides, I like being a team leader but not Magister.”

“Well, maybe you’re right,” said Grandpa Max. “What in the blazes did that zombie me do with my ride?”

“What do you mean when you said we’re a great team?” asked Gwen. “You are not on the team.”

“I am now, red,” said Elena. “I earned my place, and I suggest you move your locker far away from mine.”

“Oh, I don’t think so,” said Gwen.

“You better get used to that,” said Kevin. “It’s the sound of things to come.”

The group walked back to where their cars had been parked. Gwen and Kevin getting into Kevin’s car and driving off. Elena and Renita got into Renita’s car. She needed to go to the DMV tomorrow to get the title and everything transferred over to her parents. After all, this was now her car.

She could not believe she had two vehicles now. Renita dropped Elena off at her house after the long right back towards Bellwood. It was another hour before she got home. Renita knew she would need to speak to Asmodeus about what happened. The way the queen had gotten into her head.

It had not been pleasant. She needed to speak about that. Renita sat on her bed contemplating what she could do with the rest of her day. Perhaps, she could call Blonko and speak with him. It’s always a good to hear his voice. Her love for him was vast and she could not wait for him to be stationed on Earth.

With that in mind, Renita pulled out her cell phone and pulled up Blonko’s contact. However, before she could call Blonko, there was a knock on her door. Her mother was standing there with a young man behind her. She stood up and went to her door. Who was this guy and why was he here with her mother.

“Renita, honey, this young man said that he wished to speak to you,” said Mother.

“Who are you?” asked Renita. “And what do you want?”

“My name is James Smith,” said the dark-haired young man. “I wished to ask you out on a date, tonight. My mom says that you are available, and she wasn’t lying about your looks. You are beautiful.”

“Your mother is wrong,” said Renita. “I have a boyfriend, and I am not interested in dating anyone else. Please do not waste your time. I am happy in my relationship. In fact, I am about to call my boyfriend to speak to him.”

“Mom did say you were willful but that is something that can be overcome,” said James. “After all, no one has seen your boyfriend, so I believe that to be a lie. Tonight, I will be by to take you to a restaurant. I want you to dress fancy.”

“Please leave,” said Renita. “I will not allow you to speak to me that way.”

James took a step forward. Renita stepped back.

“Do not come any closer,” said Renita.

“Please, you will be my girl,” said James. “I can walk up to you if I want.”

Renita was tempted to use her powers to push him away from her, but he was mortal. He did not know about other life-forms out there. She did not want to give it away if he did not know about them. She was about to call out for her mother when he grabbed her chin and leaned in to kiss her.

She went to jerk her chin out of his hand, but he tightened his grip. He moved to lean in and kiss her. She placed a hand in his way before pushing him off of her. She ran around him and down the stairs to where her mother was in the kitchen preparing dinner. Her mother looked up with a frown.

“Is everything alright honey?” asked her mother.

“Tell him to leave,” said Renita. “I do not like him, and I do not want him near me. He tried to kiss me mother. He invaded my room without my permission. He wants me to date him.”

James arrived at the bottom of the stairs. He looked at them in the kitchen. Renita knew he could see her hiding behind her mother. Could he not take a hint?

“I’m sorry Mrs. Tennyson,” said James. “It seems your daughter needs to be guided in what is acceptable behavior. She ran out on me.”

“What did you do for her to run from you?” asked Mother.

“I tried to kiss her,” said James. “I have asked her to date me. Thus, we are now dating.”

“We are not,” said Renita. “I have a boyfriend.”

“No one has seen this supposed boyfriend,” said James. “Quit lying.”

“Do not call my daughter a liar,” said Mother. She turned to stare him in the face. The knife she was using pointed at him. “She does have a boyfriend. A lovely young man that loves her. Get out of my house and don’t come back.”

“I see where she gets it from,” said James. “Don’t worry, she will learn her place.”

James left. Renita stayed by her mother’s side for a few hours. When she calmed down, she called Blonko to speak to him. She did not understand why men were trying to force her to date them now that she was a woman. It was weird. Renita sat on the couch, listening to her mother clean around the room.

“Greetings Renita,” said Blonko.

“Greetings Blonko,” said Renita. “I am so glad to hear your voice.”

“I have missed you as well,” said Blonko.

The two of them talked for the rest of the night. When Renita went back into her room, she ensured no one was in there and that her window was locked. Renita told Blonko everything that happened with the Nano Queen and her neighbor James. Blonko wanted to go to James and demand he leave her alone.

Renita told him, he shouldn’t leave Plumber Academy over that young man. She would do her best to avoid him. Once they were done with Renita’s news, Blonko spoke about his training. He told her how Scout was a good roommate and friend. The two enjoyed their night. Renita knew this had been a good idea, calling Blonko always made her feel better.

“I love you,” said Renita.

Blonko stopped mid-sentence.

“I love you,” said Blonko. “Are you sure everything is okay?”

“Yes, I am sure everything is okay,” said Renita. “I just love you so much that I cannot wait to be reunited with you for good.”

“I cannot wait either,” said Blonko. “It will not be much longer before I am done here. Please be patient.”

“I am trying,” said Renita. “I wish these young men would stop trying to force me to date them just because you are not here for them to see.”

“It upsets me as well,” said Blonko. “I cannot speed up time. I wish to do well here so that our future is secure.”

“Our future,” said Renita. “Our future as a crime fighting couple.”

“More than that,” said Blonko. “I wish to support you in everything you do. If you wished to stop being a hero, I would allow you to enjoy living your life on your own terms.”

“That means a lot to me,” said Renita. “I do like the Hero business but at one point I want to settle down. I want to raise our children and not have to worry about saving the Universe, Earth, or any other planet out there.”

“Then that is what you will do, in our future,” said Blonko.

“I love you, so much,” said Renita. “I wish you were here.”

“I wish the same,” said Blonko. “I love you. It is late, you should get some sleep. I know you have therapy tomorrow and that always drains you.”

“You are right,” said Renita. “Goodnight Blonko.”

“Goodnight Renita,” said Blonko. “Sweet Dreams.”

Renita ended the call and laid down on her bed, curling up into a ball. She was so happy that Blonko supported her. She wishes Blonko was there, curled up behind her, spooning her, making her feel safe. This year could not end fast enough for her. She wanted Blonko. She wanted him to be with her.

Why did they have to be apart? Renita closed her eyes and went to sleep. In the morning, Renita got ready to go to school. Today was therapy day, so she would only be at school for most of the day. It was getting harder and harder going to school when she was ahead of her peers, and they acted young.

Though, she enjoyed her time hanging out with her friends at school, it all felt so unnecessary attending school at this point. She wished she could test out of school, but she knew her parents did want her to do that. They wanted her to stay in school and experience high school.

She understood where they were coming from, but she did not really need the added stress of high school on top of saving the world. Not that she was adjusting as well as they thought she was. It was hard some days to even get out of bed. On those days, she messaged Blonko who would encourage her to do her best.

The way he took care of her and her needs without being there was what she really loved about Blonko. He knew she was adjusting. That she was having moments in her life where she just did not want to do anything but lie in bed all day. It was on those days that Blonko’s sweet words saying she can do anything as long as she did her best.

“Renita,” called Cash. “Where are you going? School’s not over.”

“I have an appointment that I need to go to,” said Renita. “Not that is any of your business.”

“I don’t think you need therapy,” said Cash. “You are perfectly fine.”

“Oh, my Amber Ogia,” said Renita. “Why do you think you know anything about me? That you can tell me what to do. Stop trying to be the boss of me.”

Renita turned to leave her school. Cash attempted to follow but stopped when he saw her father waiting for her out front. Renita knew Cash would not follow her because of her father. Teens like him were all bark and no bite when it came to adults. Blonko would have stopped Cash in his tracks too.

Chapter Text

Renita could not wait for her appointment with her therapist. What happened recently needed to be talked about. She needed help processing what happened. It was wild that a friend from three years ago came back into her life like an explosion. Asmodeus would help her sort them out. When she was called back, Renita was ready.

“Greetings, Asmodeus, how are you?” asked Renita.

“I am well,” said Asmodeus. “How are you?”

“I am doing okay,” said Renita. “I could be doing better.”

“What did you want to talk about?” asked Asmodeus.

“A couple of things,” said Renita. “A few days ago, we ran into a friend that moved away. We had not seen her in three years, well over three years. Back when I had been a boy, I crushed on her. Her dad had been possessed by an invasive nano technology, a queen, that wanted to take over humans and the Earth.”

“Something you could not let happen,” said Asmodeus.

“Yes,” said Renita. “I could not allow the queen to take over Earth. After all, I live on Earth, and I do not want any other species to take it over.”

“Tell me what happened first?” asked Asmodeus.

“Kevin heard of nano chips that were on the black market for sale,” said Renita. “We had to find out who was doing the sting and why these chips were listed as dangerous. Bellwood did not need anything dangerous happening to the city. When we found out it was Elena, she said she was trying to find her father and wanted the Plumbers help in doing so. I wanted to help her for old times' sake.”

“You felt that since she was someone you knew that you should help her out,” said Asmodeus. “You also didn’t know if her story was real or not but wanted to investigate it.”

“Yes,” said Renita. “Kevin and Gwen did not trust her and with good reason. Her father had been taken over by the Queen and she had known it. She should have been upfront about it and we might have been able to help faster. I understand she lied because she knew her family had been blacklisted from contacting the Plumbers.”

“Did something happen to make her family be blacklisted?” asked Asmodeus. “The Plumbers don’t normally black list people.”

“Her father took the nano chips from a vault because he knew something was wrong with them,” said Renita. “It is also possible that he was already infected with the Nano Queen. My Grandpa Max did not investigate everything because he felt betrayed. He did not use his head logically as he had believed Victor Validus would never steal from the Plumbers. However, he never listened to the man either about their dangers.”

“Would you have done the same as this Victor Validus?” asked Asmodeus.

“Yes, I would have,” said Renita. “After all, doing what you believe to be right because you know something or feel something can turn out to be the right choice. I am not saying Validus should have stolen the chips first before saying anything about their dangers. He should have tried to discuss it first. The man still had control over some of his body and could have given Grandpa Max a hint that something was wrong.”

“Sometimes our feelings block our logical thoughts and prevents us from doing what is right,” said Asmodeus. “Do not blame your grandfather for being short-sighted in this. There are many things that could have happened but there is also a possibility that this outcome was meant to happen.”

“I guess,” said Renita. “It was not to be around another Plumber kid that I had known in the past. Awkward, though. I had a crush on her bad when I was a boy, and I am not sure if she had one on me or not. She acted like it did not bother her that my gender changed. I think she backed off when she found out I had a boyfriend.”

“Perhaps, she thought that since you liked girls as a boy that you would still like girls as a girl,” said Asmodeus. “Sometimes, changing your gender or sex does not change your attraction.”

“That is true,” said Renita. “It is possible that if I had not fallen for Blonko, I might have been open to have a relationship with another girl. But there is something about Blonko that drew me in when we first met.”

“That says a lot,” said Asmodeus. “It says that you are not attracted to Blonko because he is a male but because of his personality. It draws you in. Do not fret about that, as long as this Elena does not push you on the subject.”

“It almost feels like a Julie situation from when I first returned to Earth,” said Renita. “My classmates had told her a lie and she tried to make me like her in order to date her and return to my original gender. She stopped once she realized that our classmates knew nothing.”

“The fight against the Nano Queen, did it disturb you?” asked Asmodeus.

“It did,” said Renita. “She was in my head, trying to convince me to join her once I turned into a Nano chip myself. I hated it. It was like having HIM in my mind again. Someone that wanted nothing more than to control my every move, every thought, every emotion. I was able to shake her off because her voice was not male. I am not sure if I could have fought the voice off if it had been male.”

“I am sure you would have fought it off,” said Asmodeus. “The fate of your friends and family were on the line. If it had just, been you, then it could have been different. You do not place value on your own life. If you could sacrifice your life for everyone else, then you would do it.”

“True,” said Renita. “I cannot help it. I am a hero and thus I have to do everything in my power to keep others safe. What is one life over the millions of people on Earth?”

Nothing to some and everything to others,” said Asmodeus. “You should have more care for your life as it means something to others for you to live.”

“You won your fight against the Nano Queen,” said Asmodeus. “How does it make you feel, knowing you won against her?”

“I feel okay, I guess,” said Renita. “Do not get me wrong, I am glad that the nano chips and Queen did not take over the world. I feel like it could all have been avoided three years ago. I felt relief that I did not let down the trust my friends and family had in me.”

“Anything else about it did you want to discuss?” asked Asmodeus.

“How do I know the Queen did not affect me in the long run?” asked Renita. “Did she plant suggestions that I will follow one day? Like a sleeper agent. I do not want to be a risk to Earth in that way.”

“I doubt the Queen could have done that,” said Asmodeus. “After all, your human and Anodite form would not allow it. Anodite’s are free and listen to no one and humans are more likely to do their own thing if it doesn’t contradict their morals. You believe that what you are doing is right and just. I’m sure the Queen could not compete with it.”

“I suppose you are right about that,” said Renita.

She laid down on the couch. It felt good to be talking about this with someone that did not judge her for her thoughts. Asmodeus made everything seem easier to deal with when looking at it from a logical point of view. She did need some advice about these Earthlings that thought they could control her.

“Hey, Asmodeus, how do you tell someone to leave you alone without using harsh language?” asked Renita.

“By simply telling them to go away, leave you alone,” said Asmodeus. “If those that do not work, try saying that you are not interested.”

“I have tried all of that,” said Renita. “There’s this teen male at my school that will not leave me alone about dating him. Then there’s my neighbor's son that wants me to date him. Neither of them has taken the hint that I am not interested. Both of them believe Blonko to be made up. I do not know what else to do.”

“Is there any possibility for Blonko to come to Earth for a date, looking human?” asked Asmodeus.

“I do not know if they will allow it,” said Renita. “They already allowed him to come down for my birthday. I do not know how many times they allow trainees to leave for a day.”

“I shall reach out to them and see if they can allow him to land Earth side for a day on one of his days off,” said Asmodeus. “They are required to give them at least two days off a week.”

“That would be nice,” said Renita. “But does it not cost money to shuttle one person down to Earth just for a date?”

“I’m sure you can convince your Grandpa Max to bring him down,” said Asmodeus. “It won’t cost the Plumbers anything.”

“I suppose I can ask and see what he says,” said Renita. “Would Blonko be okay with using an ID mask all day for a date?”

“You would have to ask Blonko that,” said Asmodeus.

The timer went off. Renita could not believe they had talked the full hour. She did feel better. She sat up and said her goodbyes to Asmodeus before leaving. She knew that her Grandmother Lucinda might be at the house by the time she arrived. And she was right as her father pulled into the driveway.

What surprised her was that the moment the car stopped, James opened her door. She stared at him and his outstretched hand. Renita slide to the other side and got out of the car. Father looked at the young man.

“What do you think you are doing?” asked father.

“I was just being polite and tried to help my girlfriend out of the car,” said James.

“Blonko is that you?” asked Father. “You look just like James Smith from next door.”

“I am James Smith,” said James. “I don’t know who Blonko is but that is not me.”

“Then you are not my daughter's boyfriend,” said Father. “His name is Blonko. Let’s go inside and not keep that old lady waiting.”

“Can we not avoid her somehow,” said Renita. “I do not wish to speak to her.”

James walked over to the other side.

“Please, I just want your daughter to become my wife,” said James. “I can treat her well. She would be a stay-at-home mother. I would also teach her manners as it seems that you and your wife did not teach her well enough.”

Father turned to look at him.

“You are quite rude,” said Father. “You have not asked for her hand in marriage. You have not introduced yourself to everyone in our family. You have not even provided proof that you can take care of my child. Then there is the fact that you insult our parenting skills. It seems to me that you do not understand anything about how to go about getting a girl to like you.”

“You are right,” said James. “Can I have a moment of your time?”

“I’m afraid I don’t have time,” said Father. “My mother-in-law is here to visit. We must be going. It would not due to keep her waiting.”

Renita and her father walked away.

“He’s too old fashioned for you,” said Father.

“Father, Blonko is going to ask for my hand in marriage,” said Renita. “It is a part of his culture.”

“And I will give my blessings for when he does,” said Father. “He keeps my baby girl happy. I can tell you can’t stand that James dude.”

“You are right,” said Renita.

Once inside, Renita was happy to note that none of her aunts had come with Grandmother Lucinda. Her butler Ali was there though. He stood ever faithful behind her chair off to the side. Renita sat down on the couch before lying down with her head in her mother’s lap. She turned away from her Grandmother.

Just because this woman wanted to reach out to get to know her now, does not mean she had to make it easy. A throat was cleared, Renita groaned and turned around to stare at her Grandmother Lucinda.

“Greetings Grandmother Lucinda,” said Renita. “Greetings Ali, I do hope you both are doing well.”

“We are well,” said Grandmother Lucinda. “I hope you have been having a good week and day today.”

“My week was chaos because of some foreign tech that wanted to take over the world,” said Renita. “I stopped it of course. I cannot allow anything from different life-forms to take over Earth. Then some stupid young man is trying to force me to date them.”

“Do you want me to do something about it?” asked Grandmother Lucinda. “I have the power to make people stop bothering you.”

“I do not need your help,” said Renita. “I can fight my own battles. Besides, you are Mafia, and I do not want that kind of help. My friends, my boyfriend and my parents are helping me.”

“I do wish you’d stop trying to push me away,” said Grandmother Lucinda. “We should have a Hemmingworth family gathering. You should all meet the family. It might help you open up with us and understand we are people just like you.”

“People that enslave other life-forms,” said Renita.

“Ali is with me because he wishes to serve me,” said Grandmother Lucinda. “After all, Osmosian's do not have a world or home of their own since their leader went crazy.”

“You do crime though,” said Renita. “Crime is not something anyone should do. I do not want to be a part of a criminal organization.”

“Most people do not want to fall into a criminal organization,” said Grandmother Lucinda. “Our family did not always start out that way. We shifted at one point, but it is not like we kill people. We simply run the fashion industry with an iron fist.”

“You also intimidate other to do your biding,” said Renita. “I bet if someone did something you did not approve of, they would either disappear or their work would mysteriously vanish.”

“We still do not kill people,” said Grandmother Lucinda. “I believe you need to come with us for a gathering to see how we operate as a family and a business.”

“You will not let this go, will you?” asked Renita.

“I will not,” said Grandmother Lucinda.

“Fine,” said Renita. “We can do this in the summer when I do not have school. I will give you two days to convince me. Now, if you will excuse me, I would like to go lay down for a little while.”

“Very well,” said Grandmother Lucinda. “I do hope you rest well.”

Renita stood up and left the room. She hated that she had to make that deal with her Grandmother in order to get her to drop the stupid subject. There was nothing her Grandmother could do to change her view. Criminal actions were still criminal action even if they were justified. Especially Mafia criminal actions.

Of course, Renita knew some criminal actions needed to be taken for the right reasons. People that worked in the Mafia did not take action for the right reasons, they did it because of money or to show they were in control. Renita knew she would take criminal actions to save Earth.

Ugh.

Renita laid down on her bed. Thinking about the legality of committing crime. If she did commit a crime, it would only be after she weighed all other options and came to the conclusion that it was for the best. What was she thinking? She had already done that with Simion.

Though, she knew her decision then had been correct because she could allow him to do whatever he wanted on Earth. Renita looked at her phone and saw a message from Blonko.

Blonko: I hope therapy relieved some of your stress, my love. Please rest easy.

Renita rolled over and started typing back to him.

Renita: It was good. I felt justified in what I did during the Queen Nano mission.

It did not take long for Blonko to respond.

Blonko: You would never do anything that is not for the best of Earth.

Renita: Blonko, I sort of had to make a deal with my Mafia Grandmother in order to get her to leave me alone about her business. I hate it.

The phone rang a few minutes later.

“Greetings Blonko,” said Renita.

“Greetings Renita,” said Blonko. “What do you mean a deal with Lucinda Hemmingworth?”

“She wants me to go to a Hemmingworth family gathering and to see how she runs her Mafia business,” said Renita.

“Perhaps, there is something there that is not known to the public,” said Blonko. “Have you ever thought that it only works like the Mafia as a way to cover up what they are really doing?”

“Not really,” said Renita. “If you stop people from being able to express themselves and make them and their work disappear without a trace is never good.”

“That is true,” said Blonko. “At least with this deal you do not have to worry about it afterward. What does the deal entail?”

“Sometime in the summer after school is out, I am to go to family gathering and to see how the business is run,” said Renita. “I have given her two days to convince me otherwise. I do have a lot on my plate and cannot simply give too much of my time to someone trying to convince me that I should join their criminal underworld.”

“You sound like you know something is going to happen soon,” said Blonko.

“The calm before the storm,” said Renita. “A few days off before the next big thing lands and I have to save the Earth or the world or the Universe.”

“That does seem to be the track record the Plumbers have recorded in their book,” said Blonko. “You should rest and not worry about this right now. Everything will come in time.”

“You are right,” said Renita. “Thank you for taking the time to talk to me.”

“I am on break,” said Blonko. “I am happy to help.”

“Good evening Blonko,” said Renita.

“Good evening, Renita,” said Blonko.

They hung up the phone. Renita sighed and rolled back over. She pulled her covers over her and closed her eyes. Her mother would wake her when it was time for dinner. She shifted in her bed; something had woken her up.

She could hear her mother downstairs cooking. Her father was in the garage working on something. Nothing should have disturbed her. She opened her eyes and saw a being standing in her room. Renita sat up.

“Who are you?” asked Renita.

“Greetings Renita Tennyson,” bowed the being. “I come on behalf of my people to thank you for defeating the Highbreed and saving out planet from being wiped out. We honor you with this as a symbol of our thanks.”

They had a medal clasped in their hands. Renita got out of bed and took it from them.

“I am honored that you bestow such a gift upon me,” said Renita. “I did what had to be done.”

“Please continue looking after our universe,” said the being before they disappeared.

This is not the first time, another species appeared before her with a medal or award for stopping the Highbreed. Renita walked to her closet and opened it up. There inside sitting on the floor were several of them. She would need to do something about them soon.

Maybe she could donate the metal or whatever the medals and trophies were made of to benefit Earth or give back to the planets that gave her their awards. Was there a museum out there for her that she could donate this stuff too.

Renita did not want them and did not think she deserved them. It was not like she did it for any other reason that it was the right thing to do. She could not allow the Highbreed to wipe out any other species. It was bad enough that the Galvan's had been hit hard, and their world had been destroyed.

Renita went downstairs to be around her parents. She hated having people invade her room without her permission. Why could they not wait until she was outside of her room? Did no one care about personal space? Renita knew they wanted to express their gratitude. There were other ways for them to do that.

“Dinner is almost done,” said Mother.

“I cannot wait for dinner,” said Renita.

Chapter Text

Renita knew she needed to be out on a mission, but she could not leave her room yet. This is the fifth life-form that has appeared in her room. She was just glad that she had finished getting ready before this one appeared. This life-form had gray skin, an oval shape.

He appeared to have black sclera with a white pupil and no iris. There were only four fingers on his hands. He was wearing a green robe with gold and black accents. His head was covered with a hood that was mostly green with gold and black. He had a gold cape thing over top of the green outfit. There was a black sash around his shoulder down by his waist.

“Pardon the intrusion, Renita Tennyson,” said the life-form before her. “I am Lukic, senior Ambassador of the Dracosian Empire.”

“Welcome Ambassador Lukic,” said Renita. “How can I help you?”

“You are well mannered, Renita Tennyson,” said Lukic. “I have been granted the great honor of presenting you with this. As a small toke of gratitude for your part in saving all life in the universe from extinction at the hands of the Highbreed, my people present you with the galactic medal of honor. The highest award a non-Dracosian can be given.”

“I am honored to receive this medal from your people,” said Renita. “If I ever turn into one of your people, just know it is to help save the universe in some way.”

“The people of the Dracosia marvel at your power and offer you our gratitude,” said Ambassador Lukic.

He disappeared. Finally, he was gone. She took the medal that had been given to her and added it to her pile. She needed to be leaving. Renita searched for Gwen’s mana so that she could teleport to her location. She was supper late to this mission now.

Before she could disappear from her room, her phone rang. Renita groaned as she noticed it was Gwen calling. She hated letting her team down. There was nothing she could have done though. When people want your attention, it was hard getting away from it.

“Greetings Gwen,” said Renita. “I am sorry that I am late to the mission. Life-forms keep popping into my room to give me medals. I swear, I wish they would leave me alone.”

Renita teleported right after she said that and hung up the phone once she landed beside Gwen. Gwen’s shield broke. Kevin ran forward to attack. Kevin and the enemy were trading blows. Kevin was thrown back, his face exposed. Renita turned into the Arburian Pelarota, rolling forward.

Renita knew it had been a few days since she had seen her cousin and Kevin, but they had changed their clothing. Kevin wore a mechanic blue shirt with his name on it, white shirt and blue jeans. Gwen was wearing gray jeans with black shoes, a long sleeve red shirt with a black vest over top of it. Her red hair was up in a high ponytail.

“About time you got here,” said Kevin.

“Sorry about that,” said Renita. “The Ambassadors of other life-forms would not leave me alone.”

“Guys, focus,” said Gwen. “Bad guy on the lose here.”

“It is not a problem, Gwen,” said Renita. “Villains like this, um, what is your name?”

“I am S-Serpent,” said the Naga. “The snake that walks like a man.”

Renita rolled up and over Serpent several times, making sure to injure the villain enough that he would not be able to get back up again. She stopped rolling over him when he did not attempt to get up again. Why was Serpent, the Naga doing on Earth?

“Are we done here?” asked Renita. “How were you having such problems with him.” Renita turned back into her human form. “That did not take long.”

“We’ve been fighting that guy for over an hour,” said Gwen.

“I am so sorry that I was not here earlier,” said Renita.

“Where were you?” asked Gwen.

“Getting too many medals that I could not even get dressed in my own room,” said Renita. “I need to do something about those medals and the other life-forms giving them to me. I do not need them.”

“You are so full of yourself lately,” said Gwen.

“What do you mean?” asked Renita. “I tired to leave several times. Do you want me to be rude to other life-forms that are expressing their gratitude for us saving the universe. You can take some of the medals if it will make you feel better. I do not want them.”

The two of them turned from her and walked away in anger. Why were they not listening to her? It was not her fault. She followed them to Kevin’s car. Did they think she blew them off because she wanted to? They made it to Mr. Smoothy where they got drinks. Renita sat on one side of the bench. Kevin on the other side and Gwen on top of it facing Renita.

“I’m not kidding, Ren,” said Gwen. “I’m really made at you.”

“What do you want me to say?” asked Renita. “I keep getting hounded by other life-forms that want to give me medals. I cannot blow them off.”

“You should have blown them off,” said Kevin. “We needed your help, and you weren’t there to give it.”

“He does have a point,” said Gwen. “You were late for a mission. Kevin and I could have been killed.”

“I cannot blow them off,” said Renita. “Do you want to the universe to think I am rude?”

“No, but you have to find a way to stop letting them interfere with our missions,” said Gwen.

“I don’t like that you are getting all the attention,” said Kevin. “I think you’re obnoxious because of it.” Renita and Gwen looked at Kevin when he used that word. “Obnoxious, that’s what Gwen used to call me all the time. Am I using it right?”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” said Gwen.

“You’ve been obnoxious ever since you,” said Kevin.

“Since we saved the universe?” asked Renita.

“See?” said Kevin. “You’re doing it again.”

“Obnoxious,” said Gwen.

“I am not trying to take all the credit that is due to everyone that helped us stop the Highbreed invasion,” said Renita. “I do not want it. You can have it. I just want to enjoy some peace and quiet. Is that too much to ask for. I am sorry that you see me as obnoxious.”

Gwen scoffed like she did not believe her. Renita sighed and hung her head.

“Would you lighten up a little?” asked Renita. “Please have a smoothy on me. I will try to think of a way to deal with these life-forms that are showering me with unwanted gifts and medals.”

“Okay,” said Gwen. “Here’s a smoothy on you.”

Gwen dumped her smoothy on Renita’s head. She turned to look at them. Kevin and Gwen started laughing. She smiled and used her mana to make the smoothy on her head evaporate. Let them get it out of their system. They would listen to her eventually. She hoped. Renita had to remember they have not grown up completely. They were still teens at heart. She was different.

Renita got on top of the table, opening up her smoothy.

“I hope you like pineapple,” said Renita.

She was planning to get her own revenge and hoping it would keep smiles on their faces. Gwen was backing away.

“Come on, Ren,” said Gwen. “This is a new shirt.”

The Omnitrix started beeping. Renita stopped to look at it.

“Wait,” said Renita. “It is the Plumbers com link.” She pushed a button to connect them. “That has got to be Grandpa Max.”

“Bad news, Ren,” said Grandpa Max once they were connected. “Vilgax is back.”

Renita sat down at those words. That was indeed bad news.

“You are kidding me,” said Rentia. “Last time, I threw him into space.”

“I’m sure he remembers,” said Grandpa Max. “Vilgax has issued a conqueror’s challenge to you.”

“Ren can’t accept that,” said Kevin in a harsh tone.

“What is it?” asked Renita.

“The Galvan set it up to limit the destruction caused by interplanetary wars,” said Grandpa Max. “Rather than risk mass destruction, both planets can choose a single warrior to represent them. The winner becomes the ruler of both worlds.”

“And Vilgax is challenging me?” asked Renita. “Not good. When and where do I have to face him? Also, can you send over a recording of it, if you have anything. I want to see what I am up against.”

“I can do that,” said Grandpa Max. “He’s issued the challenge to happen tomorrow. In the middle of Bellwood.”

“How come I did not sense his mana?” asked Renita.

She closed her eyes and moved to see if she could sense anything abnormal. She found a dome in the middle of a park. That must be where it was set up. The dome masked itself well. That was why she had not sensed something strong or powerful landing on Earth. Vilgax must have help.

“Vilgax has to have help,” said Renita. “This is not something he would have thought of to do on his own. A force field that can hide his power levels. Send over a video so I can watch your battle with him.”

“Will do,” said Grandpa Max. “We’ll need to think of a way around this challenge.”

Kevin drove them to a warehouse where he parked. He turned on the screen so they could watch the fight. It started off with Grandpa Max shooting Vilgax in the face. That looked like it should have hurt him.

“That is going to leave a mark,” said Renita.

The smoke cleared and Vilgax did not look damaged at all.

“You’d think,” said Kevin.

“He’s more powerful than ever, and we barely used to beat him in the old days,” said Gwen.

“We were ten years old,” said Renita. “We have more going for us now. We are stronger too.”

“You saw how easy he took down Max and his new Plumbers,” said Kevin.

“Those were the rookies,” said Renita. “We are more skilled and have more experience than them. We defeated the Highbreed and…”

“Saved the whole entire universe,” said Gwen and Kevin at the same time.

“We know,” said Gwen.

There was no reason to get so snippy with her. Gwen needed a chill pill.

“I still think you’re gonna need an edge,” said Kevin.

The door to the garage in front of them opens and inside shows off a huge machine. Renita did not like where this was going to go. She had a bad feeling about it.

“What is that for?” asked Renita.

“You know your Omnitrix?” asked Kevin.

“Yes,” said Renita.

“We’re gonna hack it,” said Kevin.

He got out of his car. Renita and Gwen followed him into the garage. The door went down behind them. This was not what she expected. Renita was instructed to stand next to the table that had something coming down to almost reach the table. Kevin had her put her wrist with the Omnitrix upon it. Kevin and Gwen walked away to stand off to the side.

Kevin walked up to a laptop that was connected to the huge machine.

“I don’t think this is such a good idea,” said Gwen.

“Relax,” said Kevin. “I’ve been, uh, acquiring stuff we need to fix the Omnitrix for months.”

“Years, if you count back to when you were trying to steal it from me,” said Renita.

“Let it go, Ren,” said Kevin.

“It’s too risky,” said Gwen.

“I kind of agree with Gwen,” said Renita. “I would think that only the creator of the Omnitrix would be able to mess with it. Besides, if that force field is anything to go on, I could just turn into an Anodite and defeat him that way.”

Renita went to remove her arm when time stopped. She looked to see Professor Paradox standing there beside her.

“Professor Paradox,” said Renita. “I promise I realized how bad Kevin messing with Omnitrix is and will not allow him to do so. I am putting a stop to it.

“You must allow Kevin to do this,” said Professor Paradox. “Everything must play out the way it will. Do not stop. Allow Kevin to do this because it must happen this way or things will be different and worse.”

“I do not understand,” said Renita. “What will happen if we do not mess with the Omnitrix?”

“A timeline of destruction,” said Professor Paradox. “That is all I can tell you.”

“Fine, I will allow this to happen,” said Renita. “However, I am telling everyone you told me to allow it.”

“Fair enough,” said Professor Paradox. “I will explain everything to Azmuth after it has happened.”

Professor Paradox left and time returned.

“I’m in,” said Kevin. “Let me see if I can access the user interface.”

A beam of light landed on the Omnitrix interface surface, and these found little claw like things came out of the table below to hold the Omnitrix in place. It beeped. Renita watched as the Omnitrix changed shape. She looked up to glare at Kevin.

“Ohh, sorry,” said Kevin.

“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” asked Gwen.

“As much as ever,” said Kevin.

He pushed some buttons on the laptop and the Omnitrix went back to its previous look.

“See?” said Kevin. “Nothing to worry abou…”

Beeping started back up before an image appeared above the Omnitrix.

“Azmuth,” said Renita.

“Yes,” said Azmuth. “Azmuth, creator of the Omnitrix. My disappointment with you is great.”

“Yeah,” said Kevin waving his hand. “The line starts over here.”

Could she not catch a break today?

“Once I believed you possessed the maturity to wield the most powerful weapon in the universe.”

“And then you paid the slightest bit of attention,” said Gwen.

That hurt.

“It is only very recently that Ren has strayed from the hero’s path,” said Azmuth.

“But it is not…”

“I know what you have achieved,” said Azmuth. “That is the only reason that I allow you to keep the Omnitrix. My hope is that you will grow into the role. But the full power cannot be entrusted to you. Do not tamper with the Omnitrix, Ren Tennyson. You are not ready.”

“Whoa,” said Kevin.

“Seriously,” said Gwen. “You really dodged a bullet that time, Ren.”

“I swear I was going to stop Kevin before Azmuth appeared,” said Renita. “I was going to put a stop to it, but Professor Paradox appeared and told me to allow it to happen. Please stop the machine. I know I am not ready for the full power of the Omnitrix.”

“I’m glad you understand that,” said Gwen. “Let’s get him out of that thing.”

Renita placed her hand on the thing to shut it down. It started to glow again. She must have hit the wrong button. Renita tried to pull her hand off the table, but the Onmitrix was stuck and would not move. Was this what Professor Paradox was talking about or was it the warning Azmuth gave them.

“Turn this thing off Kevin,” demanded Renita.

“Turn it off,” said Gwen.

“It’s overloading,” said Kevin. “Dump the watch.”

“It’ll take too long,” said Renita. “Run for it both of you.”

This was what she got when she tried to listen to those that should know better. She was struggling to get the Omnitrix off the table. Kevin ran over to see if he could help. He tried to help Renita remove the Omnitrix from the table. Was there no failsafe button that would shut this machine down?

“Maybe I can,” said Kevin but he did not get to finish his sentence.

The Omnitrix exploded. Renita was flung one way while Kevin was flung in another direction. She did not see if anything happened to Gwen before the garage crashed down upon them.

When Renita came to, she was underneath a pile of rubble. She could hear Gwen calling first for Kevin then for her. Gwen sounded confused as she was seeing more than one of them. How could that be? She called me Renita to come back. Renita moved the pile of stuff on top of her and looked at Gwen.

“What are you talking about?” asked Renita. “I am right here.”

Renita watched as the Anti-Gravity Projector for the Polymorph move on its own. It gathered up the liquid of the Polymorph and disappear underneath the door to the garage. Renita sat down for a few seconds, wondering at what she had just seen. That had been her life-form outside of her body.

“And over there,” said Renita. “Okay, what is going on here?”

“That’s what I was gonna say,” said Gwen.

They heard Kevin groaning from somewhere. Renita and Gwen ran over to the area where the groaning was coming from. Gwen and Renita pulled up the debris around him.

“Kevin, are you okay under there?” asked Renita.

She could not believe what she was seeing. Kevin did not look like himself. This was bad. This was really bad. Kevin did not look like himself, instead he looked like an Elemental Being. The right half of his face, the left half of his chest, the upper right half of his chest, and his left arm were made of stone. The lower right half of his chest, his stomach, and his right arm were made of metal.

The left half of his face was made of Taydenite, and his legs were made of wood. He had only his black speedo-like swim trunks on. Oh, god it was because of the Omnitrix. It had to be. Something must have gone wrong. Very wrong. Three of her life-forms were not inside of the watch and now Kevin did not look like himself.

“Oh,” said Renita.

Gwen gasped loudly.

“What?” asked Kevin. “Half the garage fell on me. Course I look a little banged-up.”

Gwen pulled out her compact mirror and opened it up. She gave it to Kevin. He took it and really looked at his face. He touched the side of his face.

“No,” said Kevin.

He knocked the compact mirror out of Gwen’s hand before he stood up. He really looked at himself. Renita wished she could unsee everything. This was going to haunt her dreams. She did not even have therapy a few days ago. How could this have happened? What if Kevin blamed her for this? She tried to stop it.

Renita should have stopped it before it even began. It was a terrible idea.

“I’m a monster again,” said Kevin.

“Calm down, Kevin,” said Gwen. She placed a hand on his shoulder and looked up at him. “Just try and change back to normal.”

“Right,” said Kevin. “Just concentrate.”

Kevin closed his eyes and lifted his arms in the air, hands in fists as he tried to pull the metal back into himself.

“It’s not working,” said Kevin. “It must be feedback from the watch, like the last time.”

“But Ren knows a lot more about the Omnitrix now,” said Gwen. “Uh, maybe she can do something. Right, Ren.”

“I do not know,” said Renita.

She looked down at the Omnitrix. She flicked through the life-forms that she had access to, to find that she was missing four of them.

“Ren?” asked Gwen.

“The explosion must have caused this,” said Renita. “Something exploded out of the Omnitrix. That must be what changed Kevin. I am missing the Crystalsapien, Polymorph, Arachnichimp, and the To'kustar. How did she manage to sneak away?”

The Omnitrix started beeping again. A bright light enveloped the entire garage. Then a huge image of Azmuth appeared before them.

“Ren Tennyson,” said Azmuth. “I warned you of the consequences of tampering with the Omnitrix.”

“I was trying …” started Renita.

“To defy my instructions,” said Azmuth. “Well, you have succeeded. The escaped geno archetypes will perish if they aren’t restored to the Omnitmatrix within twenty-four hours. And if they do, their powers will be lost to you forever.”

“How do I put them back?” asked Renita.

“When you’re close, set the Omnitrix to ‘capture’ mode,” said Azmuth. “It will do the rest.”

“The yellow setting,” said Gwen.

“I know that,” said Renita.

“You have disappointed me, Ren Tennyson,” said Azmuth. “I shall not help you again.”

“Why does not one listen to me?” asked Renita. “Gwen, can you track my transformations by their mana?

Gwen’s eyes glowed purple as she tried to track them down.

“No,” said Gwen. “They’re all the same as you.”

“Not a problem,” said Kevin. “They all have an Omnitrix thingy. We can track them with our badges.”

“Or Renita could track them herself,” said Gwen.

“I could but that would require more mana usage than I am comfortable with,” said Renita.

“Are you still scared of that Synthroid that kidnapped you?” asked Kevin.

“I am,” said Renita. “I am terrified of him finding me. I am not ready to face him.”

The three of them got into the car. Kevin did not bother putting clothes on. Did he not want to cover himself up? Did he not feel the cold anymore? Renita did not feel the cold unless she allowed it. She sat in the backseat trying to think of something. She might be able to try to create a skin around his body if he cannot turn back.

“Kevin, can you really not turn back?” asked Renita.

“I can’t,” said Kevin.

“Ren, weren’t you listening back at the garage?” asked Gwen.

“I was listening,” said Renita. “I believe he has had several miles by now to figure something out that might be able to turn him back.”

“Let me bring you up to speed, hero,” said Kevin. “I can’t turn back. Thanks to you, I’m a monster.”

Renita bit the inside of her lip to keep her from saying something. It was his fault for making that machine. His fault for bringing it up in the first place. His fault that there was no kill switch in case something went wrong. And did she need to bring up the fact that she tried to stop it from happening.

“I am sorry,” said Renita.

“Stop saying that,” said Gwen. “You’re not a monster.” She placed her hand on his wrist. “Use your powers. Absorb my skin.” She moved his hand off the steering wheel to give him more access to her skin.

“I’m trying,” said Kevin. “It doesn’t work. I’m trapped like this forever.”

“Not forever,” said Renita. “I am sure Azmuth will be able to do something about it eventually. Also, I might be able to help. But it would have to be done somewhere my mana can be contained.”

A rapid beeping sound came from Kevin’s badge that Gwen was still holding in her lap. It was coming from the Pier, the park that Renita had taken Julie to hang out one night because Gwen had pushed for her to get a friend. This was not going to be fun. She hoped the place was closed so they did not have to fight while protecting civilians.

“We found the Crystalsapien,” said Renita.

They were barely into the park when they found the Crystalsapien punching one of the rides. Renita stood there and stared at the life-form before her. Were these not just DNA of a Crystalsapien? How did they have their own solid forms? How did Azmuth achieve this type of sequencing that DNA could create their own bodies?

“Not quite as smart as she used to be,” said Renita.

“Without your guiding intelligence,” said Gwen. “The Crystalsapien is nothing but instinct.”

“What now?” asked Kevin.

“We have to get it near the Omnitrix to reabsorb it,” said Renita. “We might have to knock it out.”

“Hey, Rocky,” called Kevin as he ran up the Crystalsapien. “Over here.”

The Crystalsapien stopped trying to destroy the ride and turned to face Kevin. It shot out four energy beams at Kevin. Kevin jumped the first one, ducked the second one, dodged the third one. The fourth one hit Kevin head on. He was thrown backwards into a railing and booth. Did that hurt? Kevin moved the wood that landed on him.

“Have it your way,” said Kevin. “I was looking for a good fight. And this is all the excuse I…” Kevin’s fist turned into a stone and diamond spiked ball. “Oh ho oh, You are in so much trouble.”

Kevin ran up and smacked the Crystalsapien in the face. It returned the smack with two of its own. Kevin swung up and then to the side after it dodged. He pushed it back away from him. It stopped itself and shot an energy beam at Kevin. It hit Kevin into a prize stand, destroying it.

Gwen moved to block the next attack because Kevin was not up on his feet yet. She used a mana shield to do so. The second attack cracked it. By the third attack, it destroyed the shield. It was time to step up into the action. She had to use the powers of the Omnitrix in order to subdue these life-forms.

She was worried that it would not work right. She moved to the Vaxasaurian, believing it will be the most useful out of all the ones she had. She pushed down on the device to activate it. The transformation took her over but instead of turning into the giant Vaxasaurian, she turned into the Murk Gourmand.

Her Murk Gourmand form was a vaguely humanoid amoeba-like creature with swampy-green skin, a tanned stomach and muzzles. She had black sprouts and black-green spots on her tail, limbs, and back. Her eyes were sharp and green, she had whisker-like lines. Her teeth were more aligned with visibly sharp canine teeth and her tail was short and straightened.

This was not what she needed. She would have to make this transformation work. She ran into the fray. The Crystalsapien shot an energy beam at Renita. She swallowed it and spat it back at the life-form. The two traded the energy beam back and forth. This was not the best form for this battle.

“Maybe I can break the tie,” said Gwen.

She threw two mana blasts at the Crystalsapien. It absorbed her attacks and used it to launch another one at Renita. Renita hit the deck allowing the beam to go over her head and hit one of the Porty Potty behind her.

“That is not helping,” said Renita.

The Crystalsapien started charging up for another attack when it collapsed to the ground. Kevin was standing behind it. His right arm was a huge rock.

“Does that help?” asked Kevin.

“Yes, it does,” said Renita.

She pushed a button on her Omnitrix on her stomach. A yellow beam emitted from the Omnitrix and the Crystalsapien was returned to the Omnitrix. One day three more to go. They needed to hunt them down. The three got back into the car and Kevin started to drive off in the direction of the next target.

Hours later, Renita was lying back in the backseat of Kevin’s car. She was not tired. She was bored. Kevin had been driving for hours because they could not find another life-form as they kept moving. Renita wished she could locate them using her mana without fear gripping her.

“We’ve been at this for hours,” said Kevin. “We should stop and rest.”

“We can stop if you are sleepy,” said Renita. “Mana can keep me awake for days without feeling tired.”

“Seriously, though,” said Kevin.

“Ren, you’re gonna need your full powers to take on Vilgax,” said Gwen.

She pulled out a laptop and put her badge up to it. She typed away on the computer looking at some information. She must be a fast reader. Information was flying faster than Renita could keep up.

“What are you doing with that old laptop?” asked Kevin.

“I hooked it up to my badge, and now I’ve got extranet access,” said Gwen. “Vilgax has beaten the greatest heroes of ten worlds.”

“That is not good,” said Renita. “I might have beaten him when I was a kid, but I have not been back in the hero business for very long.”

“You should be worried,” said Gwen. “Those heroes he beat, he has all their powers, too.”

“Not to mention that your Omnitrix is busted,” said Kevin.

Renita was ready to rear up and yell at Kevin when she stopped herself. It would help no one arguing about what happened to the Omnitrix or who did it. The car lurched forward and then went backwards. The car was lifted up into the air.

“What did we hit?” asked Gwen.

Kevin was trying to get the car to move.

“I don’t know,” said Kevin. “We’re stuck.”

Gwen’s door opened on its own. A web shot out and pulled her from the car. It wrapped around her arms and spread to cover her eyes, ears, and hair. She was pinned to a huge web. Renita moved to the side of the car to see that happen.

“Gwen,” cried Kevin.

The Arachnichimp looked at Gwen before looking back at them and screaming at them. Kevin had climbed onto the hood of his car by that time. Renita jumped out of the car and landed on the web. Kevin followed her.

The web was really sticky, and it was hard to move. The Arachnichimp knew it would be hard for them to do anything and thus ignored them. It went to Gwen.

“He’s gonna lay eggs in Gwen’s head,” said Kevin. “And when they hatch, they’ll eat her brain.”

Renita looked at Kevin. What kind of movies was he watching that he would think that first? As far as she knew Arachnichimps did not lay eggs inside of anything.

“That is ridiculous,” said Renita.

“What?” asked Kevin. “You laid eggs before.”

Renita pulled her hand back until she freed it. She went to the control of the Omnitrix and picked out the life-form she wanted to use. It was the Cerabrocrustacean. The transformation overtook her. With this form it was easier to move on the web.

She swiped at the Arachnichimp to get it away from Gwen. She pulled Gwen free. She dropped down. Kevin reached out to grab her. Kevin used his new power to free Gwen from the webs.

“Thanks,” said Gwen. “Didn’t know you could do that.”

“Just made it up,” said Kevin.

“Greetings, my Simian friend,” said Renita. “It is time for you to do the right thing.”

It shot a web into her eyes. Without thought or control of a higher power, they were just childish in their nature. Or did they act this way because of her residual mind? She hoped that was not the case. She did not see herself this childish anymore.

“Amusing,” said Renita. “Now, I am afraid I must insist you position your posterior firmly back inside of the Omnitrix.”

The Arachnichimp shot web at her again in response to what she said. Was there no way to reason with it? She had hoped it would listen to her, and she did not have to battle it any further. Energy was needed for the battle ahead.

“You realize, of course, that I am interpreting your inappropriately aggressive response as an act of war.”

The Arachnichimp screeched at her and flung two webs at her. It pinned her to the web below her. The Arachnichimp jumped away. That had not gone to plan. Why did she try to reason with it? She knew Gwen and Kevin were probably thinking she was dumb for trying.

It continued to shoot web at her, pinning her legs and arms down even more. She tried not to panic because this reminded her a little of that place. It was not the time to be thinking about HIM or that place. She needed to concentrate on Vilgax and her transformation.

“See here, now,” said Renita. “I demand that you release me tout suite.”

It screeched at me. Behind the Arachnichimp Kevin and Gwen moved to hover in the air. Gwen was using her mana to create a platform for them. It would be easier for them to move around with her mana.

“I’d do what he says,” said Kevin. “Or do you just need someone to translate?”

“Ren, he’s right next to you,” said Gwen. “Just absorb him.”

“Right,” said Renita.

Her Omnitrix popped up and glowed yellow. It absorbed the Arachnichimp back into the Omnitrix. Well, excuse her for trying to do things differently.

“I mean, really,” said Gwen.

Gwen freed Renita and then the car. The three got back into the car. Kevin drove them onward. Renita was looking at the Omnitrix to see if the controls got better. She was only missing two of them now.

Chapter Text

“Is it working?” asked Kevin.

“Pretty much,” said Renita. “Once we have all my transformations back, I am sure everything will be fine.”

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” asked Gwen.

“No, I have not forgotten,” said Renita. “I know I have to face Vilgax in five hours. I will be ready for him. I hope.”

An alarm sounded. They found another one of her transformations. Good, she needed to get the last two before the fight. That way she had everything in case anything went wrong.

“Got one,” said Kevin. “We’re right on top of it.”

“Try not to hit it with your car this time,” said Renita.

Kevin stopped his car and the three of them got out of it. Gwen showed them the sewer port hole. Kevin opened it up. Was the Polymorph really down there? Why was it down there? She had not planned on smelling awful for her fight with Vilgax.

“Are you sure the Polymorph is down there?” asked Gwen.

“It’s a sewer,” said Renita. “Of course there’s a Polymorph down there.”

“So not in the mood,” said Gwen.

The three of them went down into the sewer. Gwen used her mana to create light for them because it was dark inside of the sewer. This was not her day.

“I wonder if there are any alligators down here,” said Renita.

“Alligators?” asked Kevin.

“I heard that people get baby alligators as pets, then flush them down the toilet,” said Renita. “They get gigantic in the sewers.”

“Maybe I should go up top and guard the exit,” said Kevin.

“Big, tough Kevin is scared of alligators,” said Renita.

“There aren’t any alligators in the sewers,” said Gwen. “That’s just an urban myth.”

“Yea,” said Kevin. “And we’re supposed to be an urban myth, too. Anyway, you’re scared of spiders.”

“Are there spiders down here?” asked Gwen.

Renita stopped moving. She saw the anti-gravity projector that the Polymorph used to travel around floating in the water. Weird place for it to be. Renita bent down to pick it up. She inspected it. It was not damaged.

“Hold up,” said Renita. “Look what I found, the Polymorph’s anti-gravity projector.”

“So, where’s the rest of him?” asked Kevin.

Below her, a green swirl was beginning to appear underneath her feet. The Polymorph shot up around her. It covered her whole body. It tightened around her as if trying to keep her from moving. This was not a good feeling.

She could hear Gwen and Kevin fighting against the Polymorph. She could not see what was happening, but it sounded as if they were not winning. Renita heard something falling from above.

Did it just destroy something to drop parts of the sewer on top of Gwen and Kevin. Smart. She needed to get out of the Polymorph. Moving her arm to her Omnitrix was hard to do but she managed to transform.

Since she could not see what life-form was chosen by the Omnitrix. She was surprised to change into the Methanosian. However, she was freed from the Polymorph. She stretched out her arms, happy for the freedom.

It gathered itself up and ran away. Renita chased after it. She jumped on top of it. It separated and moved upward. It landed and started running away again. Renita moved to throw a fireball at it but stopped when Gwen called out to her.

“Ren, don’t shoot fireballs,” said Gwen. “This tunnel is full of methane.”

“Full of what?” asked Renita.

She tried to put out the fireball but that did not stop the explosion from happening. Renita knew she caused a problem this time. It was not good. She moved her plant body up out of the sewer, reforming.

Gwen and Kevin appeared in a protective shield. Renita was glad that they survived and were not injured in the explosion. Her body hurt from being blasted into several directions. Not something she enjoyed happening to her.

“I am glad you are okay,” said Renita.

“Are you sorry you blew us up?” asked Kevin.

“Of course I am,” said Renita. “It is not like I wanted to cause an explosion.”

Her head was destroyed. That hurt. Her body was then destroyed by the anti-gravity projector moving through several parts of her body. Her head formed on the ground. It swung around and clipped the side of her face.

“Cut that out,” said Renita.

The Polymorph came out of the ground and ran away. Renita was done with this fight. She reformed her arm and shot it out to grab the anti-gravity projector. She pulled her arm back and used the capture mode on the Omnitrix to absorb the Polymorph.

It fought the traction beam but, in the end, went back into her Omnitrix. She transformed back into her human skin. Three down, one to go and it was going to be the hardest one to return because of how tall it was. She looked at her phone and saw that they did not have a lot of time left.

They got into Kevin’s car. They had a general direction to head into for the To'kustar. Renita was using her mana to heal herself up for the battle. They were not going to make it to the fight at this rate. She would have to leave it to them to get the To’kustar to her.

“We’ve only got an hour before you have to fight Vilgax,” said Gwen. “And we’re maybe forty minutes away from To’kustar’s position.”

“I’m not a math major, but yeah,” said Kevin.

“Here is what we are going to,” Renita started to say.

Gwen’s badge started beeping. She took the call.

“Go ahead, Grandpa,” said Gwen.

“It’s almost showtime, Ren, and I’ve been thinking,” said Grandpa Max. “Vilgax is Plumber business. Good as you are, you’re still just a kid. I’ll take him on.”

“This is my fight, Grandpa Max,” said Renita. “Vilgax challenged me. He will not fight you. I am the one with the Omnitrix.”

“At least most of it,” said Kevin.

“You’ve got less than an hour, Ren,” said Grandpa Max.

“I will be there, and I will win,” said Renita. “Love you, Grandpa Max.”

Renita sat back in the car. It was time to put a plan into action. There was no time for anything else.

“How can you beat Vilgax without the To’kustar?” asked Gwen. “He’s your most powerful transformation.”

“That’s how you beat him last time, right?” asked Kevin.

“Yes, but I might beat him without it,” said Renita. “If I have to, I have my Anodite abilities. They should work. I just do not want to use them if this fight is broadcasted live on the Extranet. I will stall him.”

“Until?” asked Kevin.

“Until you guys bring me the To’kustar,” said Renita.

Renita appeared right outside of the barrier. Grandpa Max was standing off to the side of it. There were TV’s crews and a helicopter flying above. She did not want them to see her but she might not have a choice.

“There you are Ren,” said Grandpa Max.

“I need you to ensure the Extranet does not see this battle,” said Renita. “Can you do that for me?”

“On it,” said Grandpa Max.

“I am ready,” said Renita.

Renita walked forward and crossed into the barrier. She casted off her human skin and floated into the air. In here, she did not have to hold back. She prayed that Grandpa Max would stop it from being broadcasted to the Extranet.

“People of Earth, today’s contest is being broadcast simultaneously on all information channels,” said Psyphon. “Be forewarned, the conqueror’s challenge is a courtesy. Vilgax’s fleet is currently in orbit around this planet. Should your champion fail to show, Vilgax will declare victory and obliterate the Earth, as is his legal right.”

“And if Vilgax chickens out, I win, right?” asked Renita. She flew in and landed in front of the rock that Psyphon was standing on. “Will you have to work for me after, because I do not want a servant?”

“After the battle, I will personally remove the Omnitrix and present it to Vilgax,” said Psyphon. “Speaking of whom,” he disappeared from in front of Renita.

Renita looked up to see a giant fireball hurtling to the Earth. She erected a barrier to protect herself from the blast. It did not destroy the area around her. Out of the fire walked Vilgax. He was taller. He was still a humanoid augmented Chimera Sui Generis. His five tentacles were dangling in front of his face, his skin was still pale green with yellowish spots.

He had red eyes still. He had a metallic plate on his head where the ears should have been. He wore a red and blue armor. He had a belt attached to a ray-gun pocket. He wore dark blue stockings with metallic squares. He had something on his right hand and something else attached to his left arm. He had changed but so had she.

“Ben Ten, I’ve come to kill you and conquer your world,” said Vilgax. He stopped though and looked at her. “Who are you?”

“I am Renita Ten now,” said Renita. “You are not the only one that changed. I was Ben Ten but not anymore.”

“I see,” said Vilgax. “Is now a bad time? Are you ready to die, Renita?”

“Are you done?” asked Renita. “I am ready to fight you. I was not expecting a monologue.”

He withdrew his sword and slammed it onto the ground. Renita flew up into the air to dodge it. She needed to conserve her energy. Renita threw mana blasts at Vilgax. He was unharmed as a shield had been erected around him from his left arm. So that must be the object’s use.

“Your blasts are no match for the Shield of Ziegel,” said Vilgax.

She was not aiming to hurt him but to test out what he had on his body. Know thy enemy. Vilgax ran after her, he jumped into the air. A red beam of energy came after her, but she blocked it with a barrier. Vilgax punched the barrier breaking it. She stumbled and moved to block the next punch. She continued to block each kick and punch he aimed at her.

With a jump she kicked him in the chest, knocking him backwards. Renita smiled. She dodged the next attack and aimed one of her own. Vilgax moved out of the way. Renita used that moment to throw several blasts at him, hoping to knock him off balance. It did not work. The two traded blows blocked some and dodged more. It seemed she was going to have to break out the big guns.

Renita started teleported around him to dodge all attacks while trying to hit him. Vilgax was fast for a tall guy. He dodged a few. She watched as he touched a gem on the left arm shield thing, and it started to glow. He grabbed her fist when she appeared to attack again. She glared at him.

“Let me go,” said Renita.

“No,” said Vilgax.

A shock wave coursed through her body. She felt fried. Renita needed to get up. She had to move. She could not lose. Kids gloves off, she needed to be as big as him.

“Why?” asked Renita. “Why do you not pick on somebody your own size?”

She teleported into the ground and then burst out of it just as tall and buff as him. She used her tentacle to grab a hold of Vilgax and slam him into the ground. He lurched up and punched Renita in the face. She stumbled back and he slammed a foot into her chest. Renita fell to the ground. Vilgax stepped on top of her.

“Yield, and your demise will be mercifully brief,” said Vilgax.

Why was she losing? Were her powers not enough? How could she ever face HIM if she could not defeat Vilgax. She would not yield. She would not give in. She would find a way to finish him. Renita saw Kevin and Gwen standing in the air. They made it. But how was she going to get the To’kustar back?

“Don’t listen to him, Ren,” yelled Kevin.

“Yeah,” said Gwen. “There’s something bigger than that.”

Behind them, the To’kustar rose up from the ground.

“Do not interfere with this contest,” said Vilgax.

“Who’s interfering?” asked Kevin.

The To’kustar walked forward. Renita changed into her human skin. She would be angry about her Anodite powers later. She needed to win. Vilgax jumped back before he could be stepped on by the To’kustar. Renita activated the capture mode and absorbed To’kustar into the Omnitrix.

“And now Vilgax is going to get a taste of the To’kustar,” said Renita.

She activated her watch but instead of the To’kustar she turned into the Crystalsapien. This was not the plan. Wait, was there a reason for this transformation? Was that the reason she could not muster the strength as an Anodite to defeat Vilgax? Did the Omnitrix know something that she did not know? She would have to trust the device.

Renita blasted Vilgax away from her. He landed on a piece of art that was in the park. Renita jumped to land in the huge circle that was in the middle of the park. They stared at each other. Vilgax’s sword stopped emitting a red beam and instead because covered in what could only be diamonds.

Renita shot a beam at Vilgax. He blocked with his sword. She increased the beam power. She needed to overwhelm him. Vilgax started walking towards her. The energy she was pouring into the beam ran out. Renita fell to one knee. She was drawing mana slowly from around her. Vilgax slammed the blade on her head.

A bright light appeared, and Renita felt the body crumble. The shards were still there. She could feel them pulse around her. The huge purple crystal that had been on top of her head, was pulsing slowly to the gathering of mana.

“No,” cried Gwen.

“Ren,” said Grandpa Max

“I am victorious,” said Vilgax. “Fetch me my prize.”

Psyphon picked up the Omnitrix symbol. Renita moved with it. The purple pulsing crystal did not move. It was weird not having a body. She did not understand what was going on, but she rested. Soon, something told her. Soon, she would be back to fight.

“I have it, master,” said Psyphon. “The Omnitrix. This entire world belongs to you.”

Energy coursed through her. She felt more than anything as the Omnitrix symbol started to twist in a circle. Green light was emitting from somewhere. The left-over pieces of the Crystalsapien moved to the Omnitrix, gathering around it. She stood up on two feet. She was the Petrosapien.

“You are in trouble, Vilgax,” said Renita. “I have had a lot of practice with this one.”

She launched a volley of diamonds at him. She felt more than saw his shield break. Renita jumped into the air to avoid the red beam he had aimed at her. She launched more diamonds at him. She landed on the ground and put up several diamonds to block his beam attack again.

Vilgax punched through the barrier, but Renita knew he would. She launched more diamonds at him. He stumbled back away from her. She took that time to create three large diamonds and slam them down around him. It trapped Vilgax. She walked up the diamonds that were destroyed around him. He was stuck between them.

“Say the word,” said Renita.

“I yield,” said Vilgax.

“You do,” said Renita.

Renita helped Psyphon dig Vilgax out of the diamonds. Renita turned back into her human skin.

“By the rules of the galactic code, as ratified by the Casey-Kelly accords, you have lost this contest,” said Grandpa Max walking up to them. “You must leave this world and never attack it again. Do you acknowledge?”

“I do,” said Vilgax. “But know this, Ren Tennyson, I will have my vengeance upon you.”

“You can try,” said Renita. “Please leave.”

Vilgax, Psyphon, his barrier, and his army disappeared. One less thing to worry about.

“We will be on TV all over the world,” said Renita. “So much for my secret.”

“Well, I used Plumber tech to block the transmission about halfway through,” said Grandpa Max. “Nobody saw Ren Tennyson.”

“What happened to the Crsytalsapien?” asked Gwen.

“I do not know,” said Renita. “I believe we will not find out anytime soon. Is the team still working?”

Gwen glared before she put her hand on top of Renita’s outstretched hand.

“Right,” said Gwen.

Gwen looked at Kevin.

“Kevin?” asked Renita.

He looked at Gwen. She made a face.

“I was gonna,” said Kevin.

He placed his hand on top of hers. That was good. At least, the team was still going strong. For now.

“Now that the fight is done, we can do something about Kevin,” said Renita. “Grandpa Max, could you activate a barrier like the one that Psyphon had put up.”

“I can,” said Grandpa Max.

Grandpa Max placed a barrier that should keep her mana from leaking out. Renita worried that it would not work but she had to trust her Grandpa Max. With the barrier in place, Renita stood in the middle with only Kevin inside the barrier with her. This was something new she was going to be trying, and she did not know if it would work. Clearing her mind, Renita reconstructed the image she had of Kevin last.

With the mana flowing through her, she created a human skin of what Kevin looked like in front of her. It was not complete because she did not know anything about Kevin’s private area. Kevin could create that if he could use the mana right. Renita pushed the skin into Kevin. The rest was up to him. He had to take the mana and manipulate it to do what he wanted. Renita removed herself from the barrier.

She sat down and pulled out her phone. If this worked, Kevin could be naked. She did not want to see that. It looked like Julie texted her asking if they could hang out today. Weird, was something going on with Julie that she wanted to talk about. Renita agreed to hang out after she was done.

“Ahh,” cried Kevin.

Renita looked up to see the mana skin flicker over his form. If this did not work, Kevin would have to wear an ID mask. At least until she figured out how the Omnitrix was trapping Kevin in that form. Azmuth would not listen to her. She did not know if it was because Professor Paradox has not explained the situation to him. Professor Paradox needed to convince Azmuth to help.

“It worked,” said Kevin.

Renita head Kevin pulling on his pants. The barrier was dropped. Gwen moved to stand beside Kevin. Renita looked up after she was sure he was dressed. The human skin was sitting over Kevin’s form. It was not a part of him. It did not sink in like hers did. Was that the difference between an Anodite and an Osmosian?

An Anodite could take on an appearance down to the DNA except copy powers or abilities if there was one. Osmosian’s only copied skin deep or a layer over top like Kevin. If only she knew more about Osmosians, she could help Kevin out better.

“What happens if I get hit?” asked Kevin.

“It will destroy the part of the skin that was hit,” said Renita. “If you gather enough of the dispersed mana in time, it will reconstruct on its own. I do not know if you will even be able to gather the mana or not?”

“I can help,” said Gwen.

“It might be hard the first few times, but it should get easier the more you gather the mana,” said Renita. “If you will excuse me, Julie wants to meet up.”

Renita got on her bike and took off to Julie’s house. Once there she found out that Julie had only wanted to talk about the broadcast and what happened at the end. Renita talked about how she won her match. She was a little disappointed that Julie only wanted to know what happened. Julie seemed more interested in her fight than with her.

Julie never asked if she was hurt. When she left Julie’s house, she felt tired but in an okay mood. She settled down on her bed and called Blonko. She knew he would make her feel better.

“Greetings Blonko,” said Renita when the call was picked up.

“Greetings Renita,” said Blonko. “Are you injured?”

“No, I am not,” said Renita. “Why do you ask?”

“I saw what happened,” said Blonko. “Are you okay?”

“A little bruised but otherwise okay,” said Renita. The words not registering quite yet. “He was stronger than the last time I fought him.” Renita stopped talking. “Wait, how did you see it?”

“It was broadcasted live on the Extranet,” said Blonko. “We did not get to see the ending though.”

Renita sat up, wide awake.

“Live,” said Renita.

It had been live. HE could have seen it. HE would know where to look. She was not ready. Oh mama, what was she going to do? She had to think of something, anything to protect her from HIM. HE was going to find her. HE was going to take her away. She would never see her family again. She would never be with Blonko. Oh, mama, she could not breath.

Why could she not breath? Was HE here already? Did she run out of time? She could not do this. She could not. She can’t. She didn’t want to leave. Renita tried to move her hands but something grabbed her. Oh mama, HE was here. She needed to live. She couldn’t do this. Not again.

“…nita…” called a voice that sounded far away but familiar.

It was fuzzy. Someone grabbed both her arms. She screamed. Her lungs burned. She had to get away. She felt lightheaded. She had to get away.

“Ren…ita,” said a voice.

It was closer. It still sounded familiar. Where had she heard it? It did not sound like a male voice or an android voice. She couldn’t see. Why couldn’t see she. Her head was spinning. Her stomach cramped. What was happening to her?

“Breathe, Renita,” said the voice.

She should listen. Breathe. Wasn’t she breathing already. Renita opened her mouth and took in a lungful of air. She choked and started coughing. Her lungs burned still. She blinked as each lungful of breath made it easier for her to breathe. Her blurry vision was disappearing. She saw her mother sitting in front of her.

Out of focus at first but then her mother came into focus.

“Mother,” gasped Renita.

“Are you with me?” asked Mother.

Renita nodded her head. Her chest hurt, her hands were clammy, and she felt dried sweat clinging to her back. What happened to her? Did she go somewhere? It was difficult for her to think. Her mouth felt dry, and it took effort for her to talk.

“What happened?” asked Renita.

“You were having a panic attack,” said mother.

“Is that why my chest hurts?” asked REnita.

“You stopped breathing,” said Mother.

Father rushed into the room with a glass of orange juice in his hands. He handed it to mother. He knelt on the floor on her other side.

“Drink this,” said mother. “You need the sugar.”

Renita accepted the glass and started to drink from it.

“Is she okay?” asked Blonko’s voice from on her bed.

It was on speaker. Her mother must have put it on speaker so that they could talk to each other. She needed to answer him. She did not want him to be concerned about her. Renita felt exhausted. She put the glass down and curled up on her bed. She wanted to speak but it was difficult to string two words together.

“She will be,” answered mother.

“What happened?” asked mother.

“Renita was challenged today in a fight for the Earth,” said Blonko.

“Yes, we watched the broadcast until it cut off,” said mother.

“The fight was not just broadcasted on Earth but live across the galaxy on the Extranet,” said Blonko. “I do not think Renita knew about that. When I mentioned watching the fight live, she started panicking. It is the first time since I have known her for her to use contractions when speaking.”

“Why would she panic about a fight being broadcasted live?” asked father.

“The Extranet is what all life-forms use to see information and watch something from across the galaxy,” said Blonko. “Not many humans know about the Extranet. It is highly possible that her kidnapper saw it or will see it in the future. HE will know where to find her.”

Renita did not hear the rest of the conversation. She was lulled to sleep by her mother’s fingers combing through her hair. She felt safe.

In the morning, Renita was taken to see Asmodeus for an emergency session. Renita had not wanted to go. All she wanted to do was sleep. She did not want to do anything but hide. Hiding was her only option. It was for the best if she disappeared. All she was, was a disappointment. She disappointed her parents by being a girl instead of a boy.

She disappointed Kevin and Gwen because they thought she was immature. She disappointed her Grandpa Max by not being a better leader. She disappointed Azmuth by not making different choices. She was weak, terrified and nothing like those around her expected. No one wanted just her. They wanted strong, dependable leader with quick actions and with decisive plans.

She was trying to be the person they wanted but it was hard. It was so hard. So hard to pick up the pieces when someone kept knocking them back down. Wrong choice, wrong decision. Pick the right one. Stop acting like nothing is wrong. Stop trying to smile when things are serious. Stop being afraid of the world. They wanted a hero. She was not one. She wanted to brave. She was not one.

It did not matter what she did. She would never be good enough. Renita spent the rest of the day in a lethargic mood. It was right after dinner that a guest appeared. Grandma Verdona appeared in the living room. Renita did not hear what was being said because she was ignoring the world.

“Kiddo,” said Grandma Verdona. “I want to take you somewhere.”

She grabbed Renita and teleported them. They appeared at the edge of a huge cliff without their human skins. The cliff had a violet flowing river over the edge. Down below was a violet ocean. The orange sun looked as if it was dipping into the water, casting a strange vibrant glow. A soft breeze blew through Renita’s antennas.

It was calm. It was peaceful. Renita sat down on the cliff edge, staring at the view. It was beautiful. It took her breath away. Renita knew she had not seen a more beautiful view than this one.

“This is my favorite spot to be in the third galaxy,” said Grandma Verdona. The third galaxy. Renita had never thought she would have left her own galaxy. “It’s called the Izamore Crest. A simple planet with only this small island upon it. Most of the planet is made up of mana. Do you know why I brought you here?”

“No,” said Renita.

“There’s a legend about this planet that’s been around for thousands of years,” said Grandma Verdona. “No one knows if it is true or not. The legend goes that this planet used to be a part of a bigger one called Izzado and living upon this planet was a species called Manizza. The Manizza were mana beings too but not free spirited. They controlled several planets with an iron fist. A child of a general had been taken hostage one day by one of the people of controlled by the Manizza.”

“They wanted freedom from the Manizza. The female child was innocent and had never harmed a soul before. They didn’t wish to hurt anyone either. Her father wanted her to escape and kill her kidnapper. Her kidnappers tortured her for being born a Manizza. During her captivity a young soldier was tasked with keeping her alive. The two eventually fell in love. He tried to free her but he was killed in front of her eyes. In retaliation, she destroyed that planet and everyone upon it.”

“That included women and children not involved with the war. Her people hailed her a hero but in her heart, she was nothing more than a monster. She decided to put a stop to her people so that no one else would die by destroying her own planet and everyone upon it. The child carved this out of her planet to remember her lover by. In the end, she became both a hero and a monster.”

Renita thought about the story. Was the child really a monster? She did destory two planets? One planet was because they killed her lover. The other to stop them from conquering or taking more planets. It was sad to think of all the lives gone in an instant. Would Manizza have stopped? Could she have stopped them without destroying the planet?

Renita did not know the answer to that. Did it make her right for destroying the planets instead of trying for peace? No, but she took the path she thought was best at the time. She was driven by grief. To Renita, she was not a monster or a hero. She was a child caught between two warring planets. A lot like Renita felt.

She was caught between Earth and the rest of the life-forms that wanted to conquer or destroy it. She was never asked to be Earth’s Hero. At first, it was a great adventure but now it felt like a burden. Could she be a hero and just a girl at the same time?

“Is this your way of saying that I can be whoever I want?” asked Renita.

“That’s right,” said Grandma Verdona. “Only you can decide what you are. It matters not how others see you. You can be a hero that’s terrified of the world. You can be a girl that just so happens to save the world. Be you, kiddo.”

“Be me,” said Renita. “Easier said than done when I do not know who I am?”

“Then take this time to figure that out,” said Grandma Verdona.

“Thank you, Grandma Verdona,” said Renita. “This helped.”

Chapter Text

“Are you feeling any better?” asked Grandpa Max.

“I am,” said Renita. “Why?”

“Well, I just got off the phone with someone out a few hours away in the desert at a pump station,” said Grandpa Max. “A herd of something came out of the ground where one of the pumps had been. I wanted to see if you were up to looking into it.”

Already, it was time to jump back into action. No rest for Earth’s hero. At least that was what it seemed like to her. Renita did not feel up to doing anything, but she could not ignore the problems of Earth caused by other life-forms.

“We can look into it,” said Renita. “Send me the location.”

“Thanks, Ren,” said Grandpa Max. “I appreciate it.”

Grandpa Max hung up the phone. A few minutes later, Renita got a text from him with the location. She texted Kevin and Gwen that they had a mission. It was early in the morning, so Renita did not know when she would get a response back. Kevin messaged back that he was heading her way.

Gwen did not message back until Kevin had pulled up at her house. Renita responded to her that they were on their way to get her. Once Gwen was picked up, Kevin got the location from Renita. Off they went. Renita laid down in the backseat, staring up at the ceiling while Gwen tried to sleep in the passenger seat.

Why did Gwen not try to sleep in the backseat was a mystery? It was not like Renita needed much sleep. Maybe she did not want to give up the seat next to Kevin. Renita felt for her. If Blonko was with them, she would not give up the seat next to him. Hours went by before Renita sat up to speak to Kevin.

“Are we there yet?” asked Renita.

Gwen made a loud snoring noise.

“Does it look like it?” asked Kevin.

“Sorry, I am trying to be patient,” said Renita. “I wonder why Grandpa Max wants us to check out those animal creatures?”

“Another half hour,” said Kevin. “Less if I kick in the ram jets.”

“You have ram jets?” asked Renita.

Blonko had mentioned something about ram jets that boosted a vehicle’s speed. It was faster than a turbo engine. Renita was not sure why people wanted to go so fast. It was not really beneficial for the long run.

“No ram jets,” said Gwen. “Trying to sleep.”

“Why not use mana to give you energy?” asked Renita.

“I don’t want to lose out on actual sleep,” said Gwen.

A beeping sound came from the car.

“Kevin?” asked Gwen.

“Speed trap coming up,” said Kevin. “Highway patrolman with a radar gun.”

“We are on duty,” said Renita. “Can you do something?”

“Can I do something?” asked Kevin.

He pushed a button on his car panel. The car became cloaked as it sped pass a billboard where a cop car was sitting. Renita blinked and it was gone. That was fast. When the car was a good distance away, the cloaking field on the car dropped. It was not long after that that they arrived. The three of them left the car.

“Cloaking field gives me a headache,” said Gwen.

“Speeding tickets give me a headache,” said Kevin.

He looked through a high-tech binoculars. He handed it to Renita afterwards. Renita put it up to her eyes. She saw a bunch of cow like animals. So, these creatures had skin was gray with brown patches on their back and tail. They had a brown horn coming out of a patch on their forehead. They had red eyes, and it looked like they were squinting.

They had two brown claws on each of their feet. Their beaver-like teeth in the middle of the mouth seemed to make it easier for them to eat the rocks around them. That was not good for Kevin. Even if the outside of his body looked normal, it was not.

“That is unnerving,” said Renita.

“So?” asked Kevin. “What’s the big deal if they eat a few rocks?”

“You are still rocks and other things underneath that skin,” said Renita.

“You’ll want to stay away from those things,” said Gwen.

“Yes, they will have you for lunch,” said Renita.

Renita jumped down, sliding down the side of the hill to reach the bottom. She moved the dial of her Omnitrix to pick the Vaxasaurian. It would have the strength to deal with these creatures. At least, she hoped it would. However, the Omnitrix would not allow her to pick the Vaxasaurian. It did nothing. Was it still broken?

She would need to figure out how to fix it. The creatures charged at her, knocking her around. That hurt. She could feel her mana already moving to heal her as she gains more bumps and bruises from these creatures running past her. She heard Kevin grunting as he probably smacked the creatures out of his way looking for me.

“Ren, where are you?” asked Kevin. “Ren. Ow. You have got to be kidding me.”

What was happening to Kevin that he called out ow? No, wait, I know. One of the creatures probably bit him because of his stone arm. The guy should have stayed away. Where was Gwen? Was she not protecting him from the creatures? Renita sat up from the ground and saw Gwen and Kevin in a shield.

“With you in a minute,” said Renita.

The dial on the Omnitrix finally went down, selecting a life-form. Renita transformed into the Cerabrocrustacean.

“Bewildering,” said Renita.

Renita floated into the air to get a better view of the situation. She saw a train sitting on some tracks. She picked up the train and the tracks to make a fence around the creatures. This would stop them from moving around and causing trouble. Gwen’s shield was starting to crack because the creatures were trying to get to Kevin.

“Can’t hold it anymore,” said Gwen.

The shield broke. Renita picked them up and moved them outside of the fence.

“Those cow things bit me,” said Kevin.

“Precisely why I chose to surround them with the metal rails,” said Renita. “I observed that they only eat stone.”

“Lucky me,” said Kevin.

The group moved to the huge hole in the ground that the creatures had emerged from. They used a holo-disk to contact Grandpa Max. It was time to figure out what those creatures was and what they could do to get them to go back to where they belonged. Kevin placed the disk on the hood of his car.

“Those are Pyroxovors,” said Grandpa Max. “I haven’t seen one in years.”

“How come we never heard of them?” asked Kevin.

“Kid, there’s lots of species here on Earth you won’t find in any book,” said Grandpa Max.” That’s where fairy tales come from. Unicorns, trolls, pixies, they’re all real.”

“Even Bigfoot?” asked Kevin.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” said Grandpa Max. “That’s a guy in a suit.”

“Do you know what drove them to the surface?” asked Gwen.

“I don’t know,” said Grandpa Max. “Something scared them or made it too uncomfortable to stay underground.”

“They’re walking tanks,” said Kevin. “What could make them uncomfortable?”

“Let us go find out,” said Renita.

The three of them get into Kevin’s car. Down into the hole they go. Kevin drives them down, down, and down. The path was straight, so they did not have to worry about turning or anything. It was a huge tunnel too. Big enough for at least several vehicles to go down and large enough for buildings to be inside of it.

“How far does this go?” asked Gwen.

“I don’t know,” said Kevin, “but this is as far as we go. End of the road.”

“Now what?” asked Renita.

“You had to ask,” said Kevin.

The ground below the car broke. The car started a decent down into the darkness. It was weird to be free falling while sitting inside of a car. Renita was not wearing a seatbelt, so she was gripping the seats in front of her to keep her in her seat. Gwen was holding the door and consul to keep her still. Kevin gripped his steering wheel.

“I can turn into a life-form to try and slow us down,” said Renita.

“You’ll dent the roof,” said Kevin.

He pushed a button, and a parachute emerged from the back of Kevin’s car. However, it got caught on a rock and ripped. It jerked the car into a nosedive.

“Plan B?” asked Gwen.

“I got one,” said Kevin.

He pushed another button, and his wheels turned sideways as backward repelling jets came out. It stabilized the car and slowed their decent down into the darkness. The car landed roughly on the ground below. The car skidded to a stop. Renita was glad they landed safely on solid ground.

“That was brilliant,” said Renita.

“Yeah,” said Kevin, “but that can’t be good for the suspension.”

They got out of the car. The tunnel in front of them was too small for the car. This meant they would have to walk the rest of the way. Not something she looked forward to doing. She knew her mana would heal the pain that would come from walking for a long time, but it was still a pain in her feet.

“The car will not fit,” said Renita. “We will have to go on foot.”

“There must be another way,” said Gwen.

“What, are you claustrophobic?” asked Kevin.

“I am so not claustrophobic,” said Gwen. “I-I just can’t stand being in tight, close spaces, okay? You have a problem with that.”

That was the definition of claustrophobic. She must be in denial. Renita was not going to push it. If she did not want to admit to it, it was okay. There were a lot of stuff people did not like to admit too. Renita did not like admitting she fear a future without Blonko in it. She denied that it could happen.

“I will go first,” said Renita.

She walked into the tunnel and continued forward. She could not see because it was dark, but she stopped as something told her that she was close to something.

“Dark,” said Renita.

“No problem,” said Kevin.

He lit something that gave them light.

“TNT,” said Kevin.

Gwen blew out the thing Kevin lit.

“What did you do that for?” asked Kevin as he re-lit it.

Gwen and Renita blew it out.

“Cut it out,” said Kevin.

“You cut it out,” said Renita. “This room is filled with dynamite. You almost blew us up.”

“How was I supposed to know?” asked Kevin.

“I do not know,” said Renita. “Reading?”

“I’ll handle the lighting,” said Gwen.

She used her mana to light up the room. There were boxes upon boxes of explosives. It was dangerous to be here. Renita looked up as a rock came down. Renita moved out of the way of that rock.

“Move,” said Renita.

Kevin destroyed another rock.

“Find some cover,” said Renita.

More rocks were falling on them.

“I’ll make some cover,” said Gwen.

She created a shield around them. A huge rock came down and they could see the one that had been pushing rocks down on them. Gwen removed the shield once all the rocks were done falling.

“There he goes,” said Gwen.

“No, he does not,” said Renita.

She turned the dial and picked the Necrofriggian to transform. She went through the ground to appear in front of the guy. She picked him and flew back to the cavern with the TNT. He tried to get out of her grip but she held on because she did not want to hurt the guy.

“Cool down,” said Renita, “or I will do it for you.”

“As soon as you let me go,” said the guy. “I’m a blowin’ you up.”

“Sure you will,” said Renita.

She placed him on the ground and transformed back into her human form. She got a good look at the guy. The guy stood taller than her but was shorter than Kevin. He had dark skin and wore a khaki shirt, jeans, and a belt and bandoleer of dynamite sticks. He had a flat face with a sticking out nose and had long white messy hair and two big, bucked teeth.

He did not wear shoes and had spots of dirt all over his clothes and on his face. He had pointed ears, four fingers and three toes on each hand and foot respectively. It was weird to see someone that looked like this and knew that this person lived underneath the Earth on Earth as a native.

“It’s pos- aah,” said the guy.

“Do not be afraid,” said Renita. “It is still me.”

“Not really helpin’, girlie,” said the guy. “You’re still ugly as all get out.”

“What’s your name, old timer?” asked Kevin.

“Mouldywarp,” said the guy.

“That is what your friends call you?” asked Renita.

“Friends,” said Mouldywarp. “I don’t got no friends.”

“You’re the last of your kind,” said Gwen.

“No such luck,” said Mouldywarp. “The Underworld is crawlin’ with folks like me. I just don’t like ‘em much. And they don’t like me.”

“You don’t say,” said Kevin.

“What are you doing with all the explosives?” asked Renita.

“Oh, I’ve been stealin’ that stuff from the surface-dwellers for years,” said Mouldywarp.

He turned to hit a button and several lights came on. The whole area lit up. Now, they could see. Renita could not believe there were so many of them in this one area. It was dangerous. They would need to be careful. This could blow a huge chunk of the earth out of the planet.

“Some of this looks pretty old,” said Gwen.

“It is,” said Mouldywarp. “TNT, blastin’ caps, nitroglycerin. Primitive, but they sure get the job done.”

“What job is that?” asked Renita.

“Protectin’ my herd,” said Mouldywarp.

“Your herd,” said Renita.

“Yeah,” said Mouldywarpd. “The Pyroxovors. Real beauties, ain’t they?”

“They tried to eat my hand,” said Kevin.

“You shouldn’t let ‘em do that,” said Mouldywarp.

“Uh-huh,” said Kevin. “He doesn’t know anything. We should ditch.”

“I heard you,” said Mouldywarp.

He came up between Kevin and Renita when he said that.

“Why were you throwing rocks at us, Mouldywarp?” asked Gwen.

“I couldn’t get to my explosives,” said Moulydwarp. “That’s what I mostly use on the other fella.”

“What other fella?” asked Renita.

“The claim jumper,” said Mouldywarp. “Don’t you know nothin’?”

“No, not so far,” said Gwen.

The group followed Mouldywarp into an elevator. They went further down. It was getting hotter the further down they went.

“No wonder the Pyroxovors came to the surface,” said Gwen. “It’s like a furnace down here.”

“Is it always this hot?” asked Renita.

“No,” said Mouldywarp. “That’s what I’ve been tryin’ to fix. It’s only been hot since all that magma started seepin’ up.”

“Magma?” asked Renita.

The elevator stopped and they got out. They walked into a huge room with a lot of machinery. Magma was flowing through several tubes around the room. This room was huge. Renita spotted small life-forms of red and black color. They were short about the height of an Arachnachimp, thin. They had large eyes similar to those of a Galvan, but in only gray and yellow in addition to having large teeth.

In their hands were pick-axes. Those were Pickaxers. Didn’t they work for Vulkanus? They made clicking sounds. Vulkanus turned to speak to them. He wore a blue suit that covered him from the neck down and lacked spikes. He also had flashlight-like headgear upon his head.

“Who dares intrude on the lair of the -" said Vulkanus. “Oh, not you again.”

“Ah,” said Mouldywarp. “So, you do know him.”

“Vulkanus?” asked Kevin. “Yeah, we know him. We don’t like him, though.”

“The feeling is mutual,” said Vulkanus. “Destroy them.”

The Pickaxers jump down from their places to attack. They surround the group of four. Renita was not impressed. Did Vulkanus really think these life-forms were strong enough to defeat them? They won against them the last time they went up against Vulkanus. This was going to be easy.

“Come on,” said Kevin. “We hammered these loser's last time. Is that all you got?”

Vulkanus pushed a button and out came two automated tractors. One had a drill on the end of it, the other one had the device for picking up dirt. They moved as if they were acting menacingly.

“You had to ask,” said Gwen.

“Wait,” said Renita. “We did not even know you were here, okay?”

“And, by the way, why are you here?” asked Gwen.

“Remember all that Taydenite that I took off of you?” asked Vulkanus.

“Yeah,” said Kevin. “I remember.”

“Well, it was worth a fortune,” said Vulkanus. “And you’ll be glad to know I spent it wisely.” A holo-screen appeared in front of the group. Renita could read it and what she could read did not sound good. “See, this is my planet now. I filed a claim, paid the fees, the whole bit. Completely legal.”

“What does that mean?” asked Renita. “Planetary renovation permit?”

“Exactly what it says,” said Vulkanus. “I get to change the atmosphere, the terrain, the oceans anyway I want."

“That’s what the bomb’s for,” said Gwen.

“Yep,” said Vulkanus. “I drop it down the shaft, it explodes in the magma at the center of the Earth, and before you know it, I have all the comforts of home.”

“Wait,” said Kevin. “Home? Where you come from, on a cool day, it’s eight hundred and fifty degrees.”

“Uh-huh,” said Vulkanus.

“You thought I was crazy,” said Mouldywarp.

You cannot do that,” said Renita.

“Of course I can,” said Vulkanus. “Watch.”

He pressed a button and a count down from three hundred started. That was not good. Three hundred seconds to stop a bomb from going off. How were they going to stop that bomb and Vulkanus and his minions? Such a simple mission has turned into a race to save the Earth.

“You handle the runts and the robots,” said Renita. “I will stop Vulkanus.”

The tractor with the drill slammed into the ground in the middle of the group. Everyone scattered. The tractor moved the drill towards Renita. She ran off. She needed to get to Vulkanus. She did not have time to worry about the fighting of her team. She trusted them to protect themselves and Mouldywarp while defeating the enemy.

“Yee-haw,” said Mouldywarp. “I was hopin’ we’d get to some fightin’.”

Renita had to divert as the drill came down in front of him, almost hitting her. She dodged the other one. Great, it was going to take time for her to get to Vulkanus.

“Somebody do something about her,” said Vulkanus.

Gwen must have shot something at him. Go Gwen. An explosion happened behind her.

“Harsh,” said Gwen.

“I blows ‘em up all the time,” said Mouldywarp. “I think they likes it.”

Renita watched as the drill went after Gwen. The barrier she put up kept breaking as she could not hold it for long against the spinning drill. Renita dodged the other one, lying flat down to avoid being hit in the head. It was time to put a stop to this stupid fight. She dialed her Omnitrix and pushed it.

Nothing happened. That was not good. Something was wrong. Renita dodged another attack. She ran towards Gwen, who was still struggling to keep a shield up to protect herself. Kevin was making his way over to her as well. She kept dodging as she fiddled with the Omnitrix.

“Ren, what are you waiting for?” asked Gwen.

“Maybe it is the heat affecting the Omnitrix,” said Renita.

“Maybe you’re doing it wrong,” said Gwen.

An explosion happened and it took out both tractors. Everyone stared at Mouldywarp as he had a small bomb in his hand.

“Now get that varmint,” said Mouldywarp. He pointed at Vulkanus.

Renita pushed the button on her Omnitrix and transformed into the Arachnichimp. She climbed the side and ran along the bridge, knocking down the Pickaxers on it. She was headed for Vulkanus. She kicked him into the panel behind him.

“Stop the countdown,” said Renita.

Vulkanus stood up. “Make me,” said Vulkanus.

He pushed a button on his suit of armor. The drill on the end of his right hand started spinning. He charged at Renita. Renita jumped up and around Vulkanus to be on his back.

“Stay put, will you?” asked Vulkanus as he spun around trying to hit her.

Renita jumped off of him, pushing him to the ground as she did so. He turned to look at her. She jumped and hit him in the face several times. He stumbled backwards as the area around his body started sparking and smoking. He charged at Renita. She moved out the way. His drill arm went into the panel behind her.

He could not remove his arm. Renita shot webs at him to keep him tied to the panel.

“I’m stuck,” said Vulkanus.

“I know,” said Renita. “I stuck you.”

Renita punched him twice in the face.

“Now, stop the countdown,” said Renita.

He pushed a button, and the numbers spun until 30 seconds was on the screen.

“I said stop it,” said Renita. “Not speed it up.”

“My mistake,” said Vulkanus.

“When that bomb goes off, the magma will come right up into this chamber,” said Renita. “It will kill you, too. Are you crazy?”

“That would be crazy,” said Vulkanus.

He pushed a button on the panel and a door leading to a tunnel opened up in the ceiling. He pushed a button on his suit and ejected himself. He flew up the tunnel. The door to the tunnel disappeared. Great. A random beeping sounded and then a louder beeping sounded throughout the room. The pickaxers ran away at that sound.

“That doesn’t look good,” said Kevin.

Renita ran across the bridge to the stand right next to the whole where the bomb was hanging above.

“Ren, what are you doing?” asked Gwen.

“I can grab the bomb when it drops,” said Renita.

“The Arachnichimp isn’t strong enough to catch something that heavy,” said Gwen.

“No, but I know someone who is,” said Renita.

Renita pushed the Omnitrix on her chest to transform her into another life-form. It was supposed to be the Vaxasaurian but she changed into the Aerophibian. She really needed to get the Omnitrix fixed. She cannot be turning into life-forms that would hinder her more than help her.

The countdown landed on zero and the bomb was released into the hole. Renita looked down on it disappearing down the shaft. This was not good. She had to stop it somehow. She could not allow it to go off.

“Ren, if that bomb reaches the Earth’s core,” said Kevin.

“We’re toast,” said Gwen.

“I am on it,” said Renita.

Renita flies down the shaft after it. She tried to gain speed to catch up to it. Once she was close enough, she used her lasers to blow the bomb up before it reached the center of the Earth. She did it. She turned around and flew away. The bomb exploded in the shaft. She needed to get out of the shaft before it reached her and fried her.

She made it out. The top of the shaft was destroyed. She landed on the ground, turning back into her human form. Sitting on the ground, she looked around, trying to see if anything had happened while she had been in the shaft. Everything seemed normal.

“Well?” asked Renita.

“We’re still here aren’t we?” asked Kevin.

“So, then everything’s okay?” asked Gwen.

“Abso-” said Renita. She cut herself off. “Wait. Where’s Mouldywarp?”

The three of them rushed to the elevator and back up to the cavern where all the explosives were. In the room, they found Mouldywarp planting bombs everywhere. This did not look good. He was going to destroy this entire place. Was he trying to kill them all?

“Um, what’s with the timers?” asked Gwen.

“I figure what’s to keep Vulkanus from comin’ back and droppin’ another bomb down the shaft, huh?” asked Mouldywarp. “After all, he did fill out the paperwork.”

Renita and the group ran back to Kevin’s car. Kevin put it into gear. They had to get out before that place exploded and took them out too. Mouldywarp was laughing in the backseat as Kevin used his jets to propel them up. Renita could see the earth trembling from the force of the blast. They barely made it out of the hole before the explosion escaped out of it behind them.

That was a close call. Kevin parked the car next to the fence where the Pyroxovors were being held. They all got out of it. Renita was happy they survived. That the Earth did not gain a new hole in the ground. Vulkanus has been thwarted. Today’s mission was completed successfully.

“I love it,” said Kevin. “Vulkanus spent a fortune on filing fees and got nothing in return.”

“And we saved Earth from being turned into a giant hot plate,” said Gwen.

“Now all we have to do is get the Pyroxovors back underground,” said Renita.

“I’ll handle that,” said Mouldywarpd. “First, what say we celebrate with a nice supper?”

“Super?” asked Renita.

“Yes, sirree, bob,” said Moudlywarp. “This looks like a plump one.”

“You eat them?” asked Gwen.

“Yah-ha, ‘course I eats ‘em,” said Mouldywarp. “They’re my herd. Now, who wants barbecue.”

“Ew,” said Gwen.

“Now that you mention it,” said Kevin. “I haven’t had anything all day.” He patted his stomach. Gwen elbowed him. “Ow. What?”

Renita laughed.

Chapter Text

Renita was at home, relaxing as she watched TV. The day had been uneventful but that did not mean it would stay that way. She knew from experience that anything can happen at any time. Her phone rang. It was Julie. She answered it but instead of hearing just Julie she heard another voice. It was two male voices.

“The law?” asked Julie. “Are you Plumbers?”

“No, ma’am,” said a male voice. “We’re repo men, Octagon and Rhomboid Vreedle. We're the Vreedle brothers, ma'am, providing quality service for all repossession needs throughout the galaxy. No questions asked.”

“Mm-hmm,” said who must have been Rhomboid Vreedle. “Because we’re what you call uncurious.”

“We aims to be repossessing that there glob of galvanic mechamorph,” said who must have been Octagon Vreedle.

“I don’t understand,” said Julie.

“Ship,” said Ship.

“We have here a court order authorizing us to procure said glob in question,” said Octagon Vreedle.

“So, hand it over,” said Rhomboid Vreedle. “Thank you kindly.”

“I can't read that,” said Julie.

“Yeah, neither can we,” said Rhomboid Vreedle.

“Be that as it may, we presently gots ourselves a paying job to complete here forthwith,” said Octagon Vreedle.

“Step away from the glob,” said Rhomboid Vreedle.

“Ship,” said Ship.

“No tanks or missiles,” said Julie. “Don’t want them to know how valuable you are.”

“Stay away from him,” said Julie. “He’s my pet.”

Renita heard enough. She teleported right in front of Julie. She got a good look at the Vreedles. The first one was a skinny, short gray skinned looking life-form. He wore an orange-black jacket, red overalls, orange hat, and black gloves, belt, and belt pouches. His eyes were yellow with black iris’. He had long black sideburns.

The second one was bigger and taller than the other one. He had a hat with goggles on and he wore an orange shirt, red overalls, and black gloves, belt and belt pouches. His skin was gray. His eyes were yellow with black iris’. He also had long black sideburns. Both of them had guns in their hands.

“She said stay away,” said Renita.

“And I says,” said Octagon Vreedle. “Blast the freak.”

Renita dodged their attacks. She attacked back with mana blasts. The Vreedles ran around the side of the house. Renita continued to attack, following them. She was being careful not to damage anything. She chased them away from the house and into the streets. Now, she did not need to worry about anything.

She wanted to wrap this up, so she decided to use the Omnitrix and transform into the Vaxasaurian but instead her form shifted to that of the Sonorosian. Not what she was aiming for, but she could still use. The Vreedle’s laughed at the form. They did not think it was very threatening.

“What you gonna do, cute-ify us to death?” asked Rhomboid Vreedle.

“Grab him, Boid,” said Octagon Vreedle. “He'll look even cuter hanging from our rearview mirror.”

Renita split into five Sonorosian.

“One, two, three,” said Renita.

She opened her mouth and screamed. The force of the sound pushed them back and started to move their spaceship. The two of them ran for their ship and took off into the night sky. Julie walked up behind her as she turned back into her human form. They won this battle but there would be another.

“And stay out,” said Julie.

“We should go talk to Kevin,” said Renita. “He might understand this better than either of us.”

“Okay,” said Julie.

Renita and Julie went to Kevin’s place where Gwen was hanging out. Kevin took the paper that Julie had brought with them. It was something that Kevin could read. Renita could read it as well but she did not understand what it was talking about. She had not read a lot of legal papers.

“Is it legit?” asked Renita.

“It’s legit, all right,” said Kevin. “What? I used to do a little repo work back in the Null Void.”

“So, the Vreedle brothers really do have the right to repossess Ship?” asked Gwen.

“Ship,” said Ship from Julie’s lap.

“We’re not going to let them take you,” said Julie petting Ship.

“Somebody could use him as a weapon,” said Renita.

“And you don’t want Julie to lose her pet, either,” said Gwen. “Right, Ren?”

“Of course not,” said Renita. “Julie loves taking care of Ship. And he listens to her. It’s best if Ship stays with her.”

“That sounded sincere,” said Julie.

“I say we go right to the source and straighten this whole thing out,” said Kevin.

“You can’t really read that,” said Gwen.

“The High Court’s on the planet Coda Coda,” said Kevin. “It’s kind of far.”

“That is okay,” said Renita. “We can ask Ship to fly us there.”

“No,” said Julie. “You’ll be taking right to whoever’s after him.”

“How else are we supposed to get into outer space?” asked Renita.

“Chill, people,” said Kevin. “I’ve got this.”

“We should split up then,” said Renita. “Kevin and I will go to the High Court. Gwen and Julie can stay here to protect Ship.”

“Agreed,” said Gwen.

Kevin took Renita to a warehouse. How many warehouses did Kevin rent out? How could he afford to rent all of these storage warehouses? How much money did Kevin make at his job? He had a remote control to one of the warehouse storage units. Inside of the storage unit was a spaceship. It looked oddly familiar.

“This looks like that spaceship we borrowed from Lu,” said Renita.

“Yeah?” asked Kevin.

“You told him you were going to give it back,” said Renita.

“And I will,” said Kevin, “eventually.”

Renita and Kevin got into the spaceship. Kevin steering because Renita still did not know how to drive a spaceship. It was fast but it still took a while. Renita watched out the window. Space did not hold the same excitement as it used to. A screen popped up with a warning about an asteroid heading their way.

“Incoming,” said Renita.

Kevin typed away on the steering, maneuvering the ship around the smaller ones. A huge one appeared in front of them. Renita grabbed the weapon’s shaft. She knew what to do with this button. Kevin did not need to bother telling her anything. She could aim in different directions if need be.

“Now, what you want to do is…” said Kevin.

Renita hit the button two, sending out two beams of energy that destroyed the asteroid. That had been easy. She liked Lu’s spaceship. She hoped Kevin returned it to him someday. It was a shame to keep the spaceship from Lu. Did Lu ever wonder when he was getting it back? Did Lu ever need it?

“That,” said Kevin.

Once they were safely out of the field, Renita sat back. She could enjoy a few minutes of peace. Though, something was bothering her. Julie was really attached to Ship. She could not understand it. Maybe Kevin could help her understand Julie and her attachment to Ship, because she sure did not.

“Kevin, I do not understand why Julie is so attached to Ship,” said Renita.

“You guys found it on your first outing, right?” asked Kevin.

“We did,” said Renita. “She thought it was a date. Some girls at school said I was pretending to be a girl and asked her to try and persuade me to be a boy again.”

“That might be why she’s attached,” said Kevin.

“You think so?” asked Renita.

“Yeah, I do,” said Kevin.

“What do you think of my cousin Gwen?” asked Renita.

“Gwen’s cool, but, you know-" said Kevin. “On your left.”

Renita destroyed the asteroid. So, far they had been working well during this trip. It was weird that they got along even though she was not a man. Renita felt comfortable in the knowledge that Kevin has never once looked her way. His attachment to Gwen keeping him from his eyes straying.

“Complicated,” said Renita.

“Yeah,” said Kevin.

“Girls,” said Kevin and Renita at the same time.

“I still have trouble understanding everything myself,” said Renita. “And I am a girl now.”

They arrived. It was a weird planet that was only meant for the High Court. The planet was mostly purple. A huge ring around the outside. It had what looked for several floors but no access to any of them. Did that mean, they would be teleported to each floor? She wondered which Judge would handle their business.

“Okay,” said Kevin. “Here’s how it’s gonna go down. I’ve got loads of experience in a courtroom setting.”

“As a defendant,” said Renita.

“So, just follow my lead,” said Kevin.

“Are you sure they’ll listen to you, criminal mastermind Kevin Levin?” asked Renita.

“Mastermind?” asked Kevin.

“You should let me do all the talking,” said Renita.

Sometimes, Renita questions Kevin’s intelligence. If he got excited over a few words being referred to him, then he needed to get his head on straight. They exited the spaceship. There was a guard there, standing. He held a handout. It seemed there was protocol that they needed to adhere to at Coda Coda.

“State your business,” said the guard.

“We are here to challenge the court-ordered repossession of property belonging to a galvanic mechamorph,” said Kevin.

“Very well,” said the guard. “Please wait your turn.”

Kevin and Renita were transported to the courtroom. In front of them was two beings standing before a desk. There was a red Highbreed standing off to the side. That must be the bailiff. Renita was glad to see that the Highbreed were doing okay after the war. The life-form behind the desk must be the Judge, Judge Domstol.

Renita thought she had read up on that species once. He looked like a Sylonnoid. Judge Domstol had a partially metallic body. From his shoulders up to his forehead, he was almost entirely gold and made out of metal. His lips and the outline of his eyes were dark gold. His sclera was black, and his pupils were white.

His brain, which was completely visible from the outside, poked out of his metal head and was protected by a thin, clear material. There was a golden circle on the front of his brain. A similar ellipse appeared on his chest, dividing his metallic upper body from the black robe that covered the rest of his body. He wore purple gloves which both had golden cuffs.

“You do not eat children,” said Judge Domstol. “Yes, they are delicious, but we have laws.” He banged his gavel and the ones in front disappeared. “What’s next on the docket, bailiff?”

“A challenge to the court-ordered repossession of property belonging to a galvanic mechamorph by the name of Baz-L,” said the Highbreed.

A Galvanic Mechamorph appeared in the room. Renita recognized him. He was the one that abandoned Ship. He had tossed Ship away because he could not reabsorb him. He was trying to take Ship back. What kind of ridiculous thing was this? Did he only want Ship for the fame it might grant him?

“Present, your honor, if it please the court,” said Baz-L.

“I know him,” said Renita. “He’s the one that left Ship on Earth.”

“Once the word spread about my property's participation in nothing short of saving the entire universe from eradication by the uncouth, foul-smelling, Highbreed —" said Baz-L.

“Hey,” said the Highbreed slamming his fist down on the desk. “Objection.”

“Sustained,” said Judge Domstol.

“Well, how could I not wish to reclaim what is rightfully mine?” asked Baz-L.

“How is Ship your legal property?” asked Renita. “You gave him away. You said you did not want him.”

“Ship is my legal property,” said Baz-L. “Ipso facto, e pluribus unum, he must be returned to me. I rest my case.”

“And where is the property now?” asked Judge Domstol.

“The Vreedle brothers are in the process of retrieving it for me, your honor,” said Baz-L.

“The Vreedle brothers?” asked Judge Domstol. “Who in their right mind would hire the Vreedle brothers to bring someone back alive?”

“Uh, I, um, uh, well,” said Baz-L.

“Don’t I know you, son?” asked Judge Domstol.

“Don’t think so, sir,” said Kevin.

“You’re Kevin Levin,” said Judge Domstol.

“Didn’t I tell you the next time I saw you in my courtroom I'd chuck you into the Null Void?” asked Judge Domstol.

“No, wait,” said Kevin. “I-I can explain.”

“That’s what you always say,” said Judge Domstol.

“Your Honor,” said Renita. “Kevin Levin has changed. He is a part of the Ren Ten Team. The team that I lead. I am Ren Tennyson, wielder of the Omnitrix. I came here on behalf of my friend that was given custody of Ship after Baz-L abandoned him on Earth.”

“Let me handle this,” said Kevin. “You’re gonna get me in trouble.”

“Relax,” said Renita. “I believe I have this. Please, your honor, do not allow Baz-L to regain custody of Ship. Ship was abandoned by him simply because he could not reabsorb Ship back into his body. He had no need for Ship then, and he has no need for Ship now. He simply wants the glory of having Ship. However, Ship is a part of my team. I rely on him to transport me into outer space if and when I have need. Taking him away, will hinder my ability to help other life-forms if they should ask for it.”

“I am not going back to the Null Void, Tennyson,” said Kevin.

“The court rules in favor of,” said Judge Domstol stopping for dramatic pause. “Ren Tennyson.”

“What?” asked Baz-L.

“What?” asked Kevin.

“There is no reason the wielder of the Omnitrix should have to bother himself with petty matters such as this,” said Judge Domstol. “I apologize for wasting your time, Miss. Tennyson.”

“Thank you for your wise decision, Judge Domstol,” said Renita.

“The warrant for the return of Mr. Baz-L's property is rescinded,” said Judge Domstol. “Baz-L is hereby ordered to call off his agents.”

“Of course, your honor,” said Baz-L. “Anything you say, your honor.”

Judge Domstol walked up to Kevin. “Levin,” he said. He hit Kevin on the head with the gavel and walked away.

“Ow,” said Kevin.

“I, um,” said Baz-L clearing his throat. “I don't suppose you fellows can give me a lift to Earth?”

“Sure,” said Renita.

The three of them got into the spaceship. Kevin made the spaceship move as fast as it could. The message Gwen had left said they were fighting off the Vreedle brothers but having a difficult time. They needed to return fast so that they could stop the Vreedle brothers from taking Ship.

Kevin found them at Mr. Smoothy. He parked the spaceship and the three of them ran out of the spaceship. Renita noted that they were inside of Gwen’s shield, probably to stop them from taking Ship. Which looks like they captured Ship. This was not good. She could not see Julie either. Where was she?

“Stand down,” said Baz-L. “Cease and desist. You are no longer in my employ.”

“Huh?” asked Rhomboid Vreedle.

“He's not gonna pay you,” said Kevin.

Why did Kevin have to say that? That was the wrong thing to say. Never anger someone by telling them they are not getting paid. This is why Kevin cannot talk his way out of trouble. He sometimes said the wrong thing, this was one time. Renita waited for the anger to happen.

“Not gonna pay us?” asked Rhomboid Vreedle.

He aimed his gun at Baz-L and fired a shot. Baz-L was hit by the shot. Renita wondered if he was alright or if he was destroyed. It would be terrible if Baz-L died. Was he going to stay down? What a coward? They would have to continue this without him. Some were not cut out to confront others.

“Remember when we talked about you overreacting?” asked Octagon Vreedle. “Well, one could consider this particular occasion also qualifying as such!”

“I'm sorry,” said Rhomboid Vreedle.

“Sorry don't get us paid,” said Octagon. “Now we got to try and sell it on the black market.”

The two of them started walking to their spaceship with the armored Ship. It was strang that it was in the form on a human. Did Ship take that form as a way to fight back? Why did Ship not just shoot them? Were they trying to keep the things Ship could do secret? That would make sense. Gwen moved to put up a wall to act as a barrier.

“Ren,” said Julie.

“Julie’s in there?” asked Renita. “What did they do to her?”

“They froze Ship somehow,” said Gwen.

“Repo boot,” said Kevin. “I know how to get them off.”

“This does not surprise me,” said Renita. “I will stall them.”

Renita popped up her Omnitrix and chose a life-form to turn into and she chose the Polymorph. She stood there staring at them. Rhomboid Vreedle shot several times at Renita. It went through her. It did not hurt either. Renita loved that the Polymorph could not be hurt the normal way.

“Is that all you got?” asked Renita.

Rhomboid Vreedle growled as he charged at Renita. He went to grab her, but she turned into a pile of goo on the floor. Rhomboid Vreedle slipped and fell to the ground. Renita returned to standing up. Octagon Vreedle moved to be behind Julie and Ship. It seemed he had some brains.

“Strategy,” said Octagon Vreedle.

Gwen shot a mana blast up from the ground. It hit him square in the chin, knocking him onto his back.

Kevin ran up to Julie and Ship to remove the repo boot. Rhomboid Vreedle aimed his gun at Gwen. Renita moved to get inside of the gun to stop it up. She was not going to allow anyone to shot at Gwen if she could stop it. Octagon Vreedle was on the ground, he turned himself around.

“That is exceedingly nasty,” said Rhomboid Vreedle.

Renita could hear Kevin working on the repo boot. She heard something fall to the floor and moved the Polymorph’s eyes to watch what happened next. Octagon Vreedle moved to shoot Kevin. Kevin had just gotten the boot off and Ship had reactivated. Julie pushed Kevin out of the way, taking the shots herself.

“Excuse me?” said Julie.

Octagon Vreedle looked at his bare wrist. Some people did that. Renita had noticed that it was to indicate time without actually knowing time. A strategy used for exit plans when people did not want to stay. This must be something universal, if other life-forms off from Earth used it too.

“Well, would you look at the time?” asked Octagon Vreedle.

Octagon Vreedle got off the ground and started running to their spaceship. Rhomboid Vreedle leaped to his feet and followed after his brother. Renita could hear the huffing. Rhomboid Vreedle was not in shape like his brother. It appeared Octagon Vreedle was the smarter and more fit one of the two.

“Are we running?” asked Rhomboid Vreedle.

“No, sir,” said Octagon Vreedle. “What we are doing is what you call retreating.”

“I want to retreat with you,” said Rhomboid Vreedle.

The two of them got into their spaceship and it took off into the night sky. Gwen, Julie, and Kevin watched the spaceship leave. Renita watched from her spot inside the gun still. It was weird to see things through the Polymorph’s eyes in a different shape that was not humanoid.

“They won't be back,” said Kevin.

Renita removed herself from the gun and returned to her human form. Ship removed itself from Julie. Ship jumped into Julie’s arms. Sometimes, being in her human form felt good after being in weird shapes because of the life-form she had taken on. She was also glad that Julie and Ship were safe.

“Julie,” said Renita.

“Ren,” said Julie.

“That was something,” said Renita.

“Ship,” said Ship.

“You went halfway across the galaxy just to save Ship, so I know you really do care about him and me,” said Julie. “But I won't make a big deal about it and embarrass you in front of your friends.”

“Too late,” said Kevin.

“How long do you think before they're selling smoothies again?” asked Renita.

“You amaze me sometimes,” said Gwen.

“What, can a girl not make the situation a little lighthearted?” asked Renita. “We all had a hard time tonight. I feel like we need to lighten the mood.”

“Ship,” said Ship. “Ship.”

“Goodness, that's stressful,” said Baz-L. “Well, you certainly didn't think I was going to regenerate with those dreadful Vreedle brothers still about, did you?”

“I'm glad you're all right, Mr. Baz-L,” said Julie, “but, um —"

“Ship,” said Ship.

“Oh, very well,” said Baz-L. “Keep him.”

“Oh, thank you,” said Julie.

“Yeah,” said Renita. “Thank you, Baz-L. I will do, my best to help you care for Ship.”

“It's just a dog, Ren,” said Kevin.

“I know that,” said Renita. “I have never really had to share responsibilities before. My parents never got me a pet. This is new territory for me.”

Everyone laughed. It was not that funny.

Chapter Text

Renita woke up this morning to a small holo-disk on her bed. It was weird for her to receive something like this out of the blue. Renita picked it up and turned it on. A little girl appeared on the screen. She had blue skin, black hair, and wore a patched blue dress. She was barefoot.

“Dear Miss Ren 10, my name is Probity,” said the little girl. “My mom and dad told me all about how you saved the universe from the Highbreed. I hate war. Do you hate war, too? Because if you do, I wanted to know if you would come here and stop everybody from fighting. Anyway, even if you can't, I think you're great. Thank you.”

What should she do about this? Renita texted Gwen and Kevin, asking to meet up. She texted Julie as well. She would need to borrow Ship if she was going to travel to another planet to try and broker peace. She did not know what she could do about it, but she would try her best.

No response from Gwen or Kevin. Were they ignoring her or did they not receive the message? Renita sent out another message as she drove to Julie’s house. It was important to help out those that asked. She just hoped she could do something about the situation without making it worse.

“Hey Julie,” said Renita when she pulled up to the curb where Julie and Ship were waiting. “Thanks for letting me borrow Ship.”

“It’s no problem,” said Julie. “I hope you solve their issue as soon as possible. War is terrible.”

“Yeah, I hope I can solve it but first I need to find out why they are going to war,” said Renita. “Let us hope they will even talk to me.”

Ship hoped onto the back of Renita’s bike. She waved goodbye to Julie and took off in the direction of Gwen’s mana. She had not received a response to either of her messages. What was up with that? Why were they not responding to her?

Where they upset with her? Did they want a day off from being around her? What did she do? Renita shook her head. She did not need to have these thoughts in her head. If they did not want to help her out or could not help, she would go it alone. After all, they were not obligated to help.

Renita pulled up beside Kevin’s car. The two of them were drinking smoothies. Gwen was sitting on Kevin’s hood. Kevin was leaning against the side of the car. Why had they not answered if they were doing nothing?

“There you are,” said Renita. “I have been trying to reach you this morning.”

“We know,” said Gwen. “We got the fifty messages you left.”

“It was not fifty messages,” said Renita. “It was only two.”

“Does it matter?” asked Kevin.

“Regardless, I have a mission,” said Renita. “I was wondering if you could help me with it. It is off planet.”

“I’ve got Tae Kwon Do practice tonight, Ren,” said Gwen. “Sorry.”

“Kevin?” asked Renita.

“Yeah, no,” said Kevin.

“Do you have something to do as well?” asked Renita.

“We don’t mind helping you out, but we do have lives,” said Gwen.

“Very well,” said Renita. “I shall do this alone. If you will excuse me, I have a war to stop.”

“Wait,” said Gwen. “What do you mean a war to stop?”

“Oh, well, I had this teleported into my room this morning,” said Renita.

She held up the holo-disk. She pressed a button, and the little girl appeared on it.

“Dear Miss Ren 10, my name is Probity,” said Probity. “My mom and dad told me all about how you saved the universe from the Highbreed.”

“So, you get fan mail,” said Kevin. “What's the big deal?”

“Please be quiet,” said Renita. “You will miss the important part.”

“I hate war,” said Probity. “Do you hate war, too? Because if you do, I wanted to know if you would come here and stop everybody from fighting. Anyway, even if you can't, I think you're great. Thank you.”

“That is what I am going to go solve,” said Renita.

“You want us to go to some other planet and end their war,” said Kevin.

“No, she couldn’t mean,” said Gwen. “You can’t mean-”

“I do,” said Renita.

“Not that I'm even considering it, but how do you plan to stop a war?” asked Kevin.

“I do not know,” said Renita. “I need to know why the war started in the first place.”

“Fine, we’ll go with you,” said Kevin.

“You already said no,” said Renita. “I will do this on my own. Like you said earlier. You have lives and sometimes cannot help. I understand. I will see you guys later. Come on Ship.”

Renita turned away and got back on her bike. Ship jumped onto the back of it. She drove off. Now they wanted to help. They probably did not think she could stop a war on her own. They were right. She was going to have to get help.

Her plan was to talk to both sides of the war to figure out why they were fighting and try to come up with a solution to it. She hoped it was going to be easy, but she doubted that. Nothing in her job description was easy. That included getting help from her team.

They had no interest at first, so she was not going to press the issue. Just because they changed their minds, did not change the fact they said no first. Renita was going to respect their first decision. Even if they did not respect her choices.

At home, she parked her bike in the garage. She had Ship turn into a spaceship in her back yard. Renita climbed into it and took off. Renita felt her eye twitch. They really did not trust her to do something like stopping a war on her own.

Renita turned to look at the two stowaways. Her hands on her hips. They had barely made it onto Ship before it took off. They both stared at her. Renita shook her head and turned to go sit down at the pilot seat. Did they not trust her?

Blonko would have trusted her. If only she could have asked Blonko to go with her. He would have joined her and trusted her to do the right thing. Then again, his life would revolve around being a Plumber and dating her.

“I can't believe we're doing this,” said Kevin.

“I cannot believe you both snuck onto Ship,” said Renita.

“Everybody hates war, but nobody ever does anything about it,” said Kevin.

“I can at least try to do something about it,” said Renita. “Even if I cannot stop it. I might be able to end it with little causalities.”

“Oh right,” said Kevin. “The great Ren Ten’s gonna solve everything in one weekend.”

“It is a three-day weekend,” said Renita. “However, if I cannot solve it in time, I will just have to stay until I do. You guys can go home, now if you are not prepared to actually help.”

“I like that Ren cares enough to come all this way to help,” said Gwen. “You could use a little of that yourself, Kevin.”

“War's like eating or sleeping, Gwen,” said Kevin. “It's part of human nature.”

“That is where you are wrong,” said Renita.

“I think I know a little more about human nature than you do,” said Kevin.

Ouch, that hurt. Did he have to bring up the fact that she had spent time off from Earth? That she did not understand certain things anymore because of her time spent as a Revonnahgander. It was unfair of him. She hoped it was something he said without thinking about it and not something he meant to say.

“Yeah,” said Renita, “human nature. But these are not humans. These life-forms do not have the same nature as humans do. For all we know, war is something that never happens upon their planet.”

A beeping sounded from the console. They were approaching the planet. It was a huge golden looking planet. As they got closer to the planet, a dotted line seemed to appear across it. What in the world was going on? They needed to get closer to see what it was and why it was happening.

“We are approaching the planet,” said Gwen.

“Is that a big, dotted line across that planet?” asked Renita.

“Yep,” said Kevin.

“That definitely calls for a closer look,” said Gwen.

“Ship, lower, please,” said Renita.

“Ship, ship, ship,” said Ship.

Ship got them lower to the surface of the planet. What they saw stumped them. A huge ship was dropping these large structures onto the ground. Renita wanted to get a closer look at it. It seemed like the people of this planet were splitting it in half. What reason did they have for that?

“Well, now we know where the fence came from, but-” said Gwen.

Something hit Ship. Renita looked to see blue machines attacking them. What in the world was going on?

“What are they shooting at us for?” asked Renita.

“Duh,” said Kevin.

“Translation,” said Gwen. “The fence must be some kind of borderline, and they think we’re the enemy.”

Ship maneuvered around, avoiding the blasts as much as it could. Those blue blasts were weird. Why was it blue? Probity was blue. Did this planet have different colored people? Is that what the war was about? The color of their skin? What a weird thing to fight about?

“Ship,” said Ship.

“Good boy,” said Renita. “No shooting back.”

“What?” asked Kevin.

“Ship,” said Ship.

“Okay, I vote we turn around and head home,” said Kevin. “Gwen can still make karate practice. And as a bonus, I don’t have to get shot at.”

“Except we would be throwing away a little girl's hope for a world without war,” said Renita.

“Life is full of disappointments,” said Kevin. “What is she five? Past time she learned.”

Ship flew over to the other side of the border to get away from the blasts, but it did not work. The blasts kept coming, except this time, it was red blasts instead of blue. Okay, at least they knew both sides were different colors. They must really like their separate colors.

“Land Ship,” said Renita. “I will distract them.”

Renita transformed into the Aerophibian. She flew away from Ship, drawing fire as she did so. She landed on top of one of tanks. She de-transformed into her human form.

“Please hold your fire,” said Renita. “I am Ren Ten and I am here to help put an end to this war. Please speak with me.”

“Look,” said someone in the crowd.

“Look, it’s him,” said someone else.

“It’s really him,” said someone.

“I can’t believe it,” said another.

“That’s Ren Ten,” said a person in the crowd.

“I wish to speak to your leader about this war,” said Renita. “Please take me to them.”

The crowd parted and a man stepped forward. He must be the leader. Renita will call him the Red Leader because he was wearing a red military suit. He was a small, humanoid life-form. His skin was pink and he had a big nose, white mustache, his eyes were hidden with a monocle on his right eye.

“Get him,” said the Red Leader, pointing at Renita.

“Hey, if you want to get rough,” said Renita. “How about a taste of the Vaxasaurian.”

Renita pushed down her Omnitrix. She transformed into a new life-form. One she had not used before. This was great. She looked at herself and noticed that she was the Biot-savartian. This was not what she had planned. Now, she would have to figure things out on the fly.

“This is no time to learn how to use a new life-form,” said Renita.

The Biot-savartian had a magnetically floating metal head surrounded by a glowing white aura and levitated in an arch between his shoulders. He had crab-like claws for hands, and his body was mainly brownish black with yellow feet, hands, shoulders, and chest. His body was also made of living metal.

The red people started shooting Renita. She felt the pain, but it did not seem to be doing too much damage to her body. She was getting irritated with them.

“Cut it out,” said Renita.

She extended her hand and pulled power toward her. Something started to vibrate and next thing she knew, their weapons came at her. She became covered in guns. That would not do. She pushed the energy out. The guns flew away from her and away from the enemy.

“Would you listen to me?” asked Renita. “I just want to talk. After all, you have to sit down with your enemies and talk about the issues. You should try to resolve the problems without violence. They are the same as you.”

“Will you listen to our side of the story?” asked the Red Leader.

Renita returned to her human form.

“Of course I want to hear your side,” said Renita.

“Good,” said the Red Leader. “Because you've got us all wrong. They attacked us. We're only defending ourselves.”

“Really?” asked Renita.

Gun fire started rapidly coming through the gap in the border. The army ran away.

“See?” said the Red Leader.

He ran away. Renita pushed her Omnitrix button in and transformed into the Arachnichimp. She maneuvered herself over to the other side, looking for someone that looked like the Red Leader. She found one. He was a small, humanoid life-form who wore a blue military suit. His skin was teal, and he had a big nose, white mustache, eyes were covered, and he had a monocle over his left eye.

“Are you the guy in charge?” asked Renita.

“I am,” said the Blue Leader.

“We need to talk,” said Renita.

“I'm a man of action, not talk,” said the Blue Leader.

“And look where it's gotten you,” said Renita.

“Indeed,” said the Blue Leader.

He took a step back. A canister was launched into the air. It landed and released a gas. The gas choked Renita. She walked out of the gas and fell to her knees. It was difficult to breath thanks to that gas that filled her lungs. She coughed to try and remove the gas from her lungs.

“Look where it’s gotten me,” said the Blue Leader in a more sinister voice.

They moved quickly to tie her up with rope. She was then picked up and dragged backward until they came to a pole where they tied her to it. It was awkward and a little painful.

“Do you not get it?” asked Renita. “I am not the enemy. I believe in peace. I just want to talk.”

“Ready,” said the Blue Leader. “Aim.”

Guns were cocked. Renita tried to move to push her Omnitrix so that she could change back into her human form.

“Wait,” called a voice. A young girl ran out of the crowd. It was Probity. “That’s Ren Ten. I’m sure of it.”

“She doesn’t know what she’s talking about,” said the Blue Leader. “Fire.”

The moved to fire at her. A purple wall appeared in front of her. Above her was Gwen. She was keeping the wall up.

“Get yourself loose,” said Gwen. “I can’t hold on much longer.”

She really needed to build up her strength so that she could hold up shields for longer. Probity ran towards Renita. She ran up and untied her. Renita pushed the symbol on her chest and changed back into her human form. The people gathered started murmuring to themselves.

“You really are him,” said the Blue Leader. “So, what do we do now?”

“Oh, I know,” said Probity. “Let’s eat.”

“Great idea,” said the Blue Leader.

Renita was led away. She was led to a huge mess hall that housed the whole army inside of it. Everyone got trays and sat down to feast on the food in front of them. Renita did not get a tray. She was not hungry. She also did not want to take food from someone that might need it.

“Do you guys always eat like this?” asked Renita.

“We have to keep our strength up,” said the Blue Leader. “For the war, you know.”

“I will bet she does not eat like this every day,” said Renita.

“Unfortunately, our citizens must sacrifice for the war effort,” said the Blue Leader.

“But if there was no war, she could eat better and maybe even go to school,” said Renita.

“Ren Ten, I hate war, too,” said the Blue Leader, “but our neighbors keep attacking us. We have to defend ourselves!”

“But they say the same thing,” said Renita. “Wait a minute. If both of you are just defending yourselves, there doesn't have to be a war.”

“We shall call a truce,” said the Blue Leader.

The Blue Leader and the Red Leader met up and each of them agreed to a truce. It was over. Renita had diverted a war for the time being. She was not naive enough to believe it would last until she found the real reason for the war. There was something she was missing from this situation.

The Red and Blue Leader along with Renita and Probity got onto one of the spaceships that had been dropping the borders so they could talk out their peace.

“We shall decide here and now,” said the Blue Leader.

“I say he was red,” said the Red Leader.

“He was blue,” said the Blue Leader. “I'd say any idiot knows that, but obviously you don't.”

“Red,” said the Red Leader.

“Blue,” said the Blue Leader.

“Red,” said Red Leader.

“Blue,” said Blue Leader.

“Red,” said Red Leader.

“Blue,” said Blue Leader.

“What are they talking about?” said Renita.

“Zavin, of course,” said Probity.

“Who?” asked Renita.

“He was the wisest man who ever lived,” said Probity. “He gave us our laws and stuff like that. There's his statue.” She pointed to a huge statue of Zavin. He appeared to have been a tall, bearded man donning a robe. He held a book in his right arm while he pointed with his left hand. “They made it a real long time ago, and all the paint's faded away.”

“So, no one can remember if he was red or blue, right?” asked Renita.

“You're so smart,” said Probity. “That's what all the fighting's about.”

“Say, did you call me an idiot?” asked the Red Leader.

“No,” said the Blue Leader. “You're under qualified.”

The two of them launched themselves at each other. They started wrestling on top of the table.

“Hey,” said Renita.

She ran to break them up as their own men attempted it themselves. Renita got knocked back. She landed on her butt.

“This is harder than I thought,” said Renita.

“But you're Ren Ten,” said Probity. “You can do anything.”

Renita slammed the hand of the Vaxasaurian onto the table. She transformed back into herself as the two leaders stopped fighting.

“That is better,” said Renita.

She de-transformed and crossed her arms, glaring at the two leaders. They were acting like children. Brawling on the table. It was ridiculous for grown men to brawl like children. They needed to act like the grown-up that they were. Renita did not think she would brawl like that anymore.

“Is that how a leader is supposed to act?” asked Renita. “Brawling like children on a table because they disagree with each other. You are leaders of your factions. You should be acting more mature than you are now. Now, shall we act like adults and shake hands?”

The two of them looked at each other before crossing their arms and looking away. This was going to be harder than she thought.

“All right,” said Renita. “I will start.”

Renita held out her right hand.

“Haha,” said the Blue Leader. “There. That proves it. You were with them all along.”

He turned and left. “Come on, men,” said the Blue Leader. “We've got a war to win.”

Renita frowned. She did not understand what happened. She turned to look at Probity to find her upset as well. What did she do wrong?

“What just happened?” asked Renita.

“You ruined everything,” said Probity. “You tried to shake with your right hand. We shake with the left! Everyone knows that.”

She left Renita alone. Renita sat down and tried to think of what she could do to stop this war. First, she needed to know about these people. Renita went to what she thought was a place of learning only to be told they didn’t have schools. She asked after their people because she did not understand them.

The person she spoke to told them all about both sides. The Red and Blue. How they were once one people that did not care for color but when it came time to repaint Zavin, they became divided. It was interesting to learn that Zavin was not one of their people but a life-form from a different planet.

Zavin landed upon their planet back when they were chaotic and without laws. He brought them together and gave them laws and rules to follow. Helped them set up a government. Gave them all kinds of information that allowed them to advance their civilization.

Now, she felt ready to take care of this war. First, she needed to do something about the Blue and Red Leader. They were the reason both sides were fighting to begin with. She needed them to see reason. Renita walked to the edge of a cliff to watch the fighting. Gwen was already standing there watching.

“If only they had talked to each other,” said Renita.

“Seems like they were doing better before they started talking,” said Gwen.

“Talking is not the problem,” said Renita. “It is listening. I need them to listen to each other and to me.”

“How are you going to get them to talk?” asked Gwen.

“By not giving them a choice in the matter,” said Renita.

Renita transformed into her Methanosian form and left Gwen watching the fighting. She busted down the door to the Blue Leader and grabbed him. She walked out with him dangling over her shoulder. She had had enough. This was going to end one way or another. Renita dropped the Blue Leader inside of a cave far away from the fighting.

“Why have you brought me here?” asked the Blue Leader.

“You and the Red Leader need to work on a peace treaty,” said Renita.

“Impossible,” said the Blue Leader.

“Stay put,” said Renita.

Renita moved to grab the Red Leader. He had been sprouting nonsense about the Blue People and their color. Was he racist? Could other life-forms be racist? It would be the first time she ran into that. Renita shrugged her shoulder; she was not here to fix that. She was here to stop this war.

“Enough,” said Renita.

She kicked the door to the area where the Red Leader was speaking to his army. She was attacked by the soldiers. She knocked two away. One of them shot her in the head, destroying her head. It grew up. Renita looked at the one that shot her. She grabbed him and slung him over his shoulder and walked away.

“Help,” cried the Red Leader.

He kept crying out for help. Renita made her way up to the cave. She ensured she was not followed by any of the others. The two leaders did not need their army to help them out. It would only hinder them and their ability to agree to a peace treaty. She walked into the cave.

“Don’t hurt me,” said the Red Leader.

She pushed him into the cave. Red and Blue hugged each other. Red moved away from Blue. They both looked at Renita.

“What’s going on here?” asked the Red Leader.

“Nobody is leaving this cave until you work out a peace treaty,” said Renita.

“Impossible,” said the Red Leader.

“That’s what I told him,” said the Blue Leader.

“Go talk,” said Renita. “Have an actual conversation for once in your life.”

Renita walked out of the cave and sat on the rock not far from the entrance to the cave. She was going to wait here and see what happened. After all, they would have to eventually talk to each other. She hoped this tactic worked. There were not many more ideas she had left inside her mind that could work to change their minds.

“Uh, Ren Ten?” asked the Blue Leader.

Renita looked at them. She stood up to go walk over to them.

“That was fast,” said Renita. “Did you work out something?”

“Uh, no,” said the Blue Leader. “We just want to know when lunch is.”

“How can you think about lunch when your people are starving?” asked Renita. “There is to be no lunch or dinner. Not until you two work out a peace treaty.”

“You can’t do that,” said The Red Leader.

Renita stared at them. They only think of themselves and not their people. It was selfish.

“Do I have to resort to violence to make you listen?” asked Renita.

“Violence never accomplishes anything,” said the Red Leader.

“Did you hear what you just said?” asked Renita, shocked.

“He means random violence,” said the Blue Leader. “War is orderly violence.”

“Orderly violence?” asked Renita.

“We need war, Ren Ten,” said the Blue Leader.

“That’s right,” said the Red Leader. “It gives people something to blame their problems on.”

“If they can’t afford houses or food or schools, it’s the war’s fault,” said the Blue Leader.

“If there were no war, they’d blame us for all that,” said the Red Leader.

“Exactly,” said the Blue Leader. “So, can we go now?”

“No, you may not,” said Renita. She sat down. “It is your fault if your people cannot afford houses or food or schools. It means you are not doing your job as a leader to provide for your people. Eventually, they will riot against you and try to overthrow you. Do you want to be pushed out of your positions, possibly executed by your own people?”

“Well, no,” said the Blue Leader.

“Of course, we don’t want to die,” said the Red Leader.

“Then war needs to stop,” said Renita. “It is only a band-aid over the problem. It does not solve anything. If you cannot take responsibility for your people, then you should step down as the leader of your people and give it to someone that will do something for the people. The people are everything, without them, you would not have the position that you do.”

“We don’t have the ability nor the means to give them what they want,” said the Red Leader.

“Our materials are lacking because we have no means of producing anything at a faster pace,” said the Blue Leader.

“You have the means,” said Renita.

“We do?” asked both the Red and Blue Leaders.

Renita pointed down at the battle taking place below them.

“The resources that you put into funding your armies,” said Renita. “All of that can be diverted to funding schools, funding projects to build better machines to create anything you need faster. I do not understand why you are working against the laws and rules that your Great Zavin gave you.”

“What do you mean?” asked the Blue Leader.

“I looked at the laws that Zavin gave your people,” said Renita. “One of the laws was that the people were to be taken care of and the children were allowed to attend school and not be forced to work. There are laws in place to help civilians that are struggling to afford living.”

“That is something we did not know,” said the Red Leader.

“Still, we will not stop fighting,” said the Blue Leader.

“Return to the cave and please work on a peace treaty,” said Renita. “You know war is wrong. You just do not want to fix the issues your people are having.”

The two of them walked back into the cave. Renita closed her eyes and started meditating. She needed to refocus herself. She was getting angry over the two Leaders and how they were handling the situations with their citizens. If only they would stop fighting and fix the issues their citizens had, things would be better for them.

It was hours later. Renita heard them heading for the front of the cave. She pulled out of her core and noticed that it was dark outside. How long were their days and nights? Renita could see three planets off in the distance. Each a size larger than the last. It might be because of how close there were but the planets looked blue and cool.

It was nice to stare up at the stars. Renita turned to look at the two of them as they reached the cave entrance. They had gone so far into the cave that Renita had not heard anything they had discussed. She hoped they made a good decision and came up with a peace treaty.

“Ren Ten, we’ve come up with something,” said the Blue Leader.

“What is it?” asked Renita.

The Blue Leader pulled out a flashlight and shined it into her face. She moved to block her eyes, but something magnified the light. Renita stumbled backwards to try and get away from the light. She tripped and fell over the edge of the cliff. She did not scream as she flipped herself over to see the ground. She was not worried.

They might be worried about her. She ditched her human skin and stopped her decent right before she would have it the rock. She floated the last few inches. Her feet touching the ground. Renita looked up the cliff. They were that desperate to leave that they almost killed her. If she was not an Anodite or had the Omnitrix, she would be dead.

“I am starting to dislike those guys,” said Renita.

She needed to figure out a way to make them stop fighting. She supposed she only had two more ideas to try. Maybe she should combine them. That was she could make the biggest impact on both sides at once. She nodded her head and teleported to Gwen. It was nighttime and the fighting had stopped.

Renita followed them in the morning. The two sides gathered in front of the Zavin statue. She hid behind it, listening to both leaders giving a speech to their armies. It was weird to hear that same speech being given at the same time. They were both in line with why they were at war because they most likely agreed to it before the fighting even started.

“Men, this fight isn’t about land or money,” said both the Red and Blue Leader. “It’s about our honor and purity. And above all, it’s about the reputation of the Great Zavin.”

“What a load,” said Renita.

Everyone turned to look at Renita as she came floating from around the statue. She knew she looked different from before. She was using her mana to make her larger than her normal size. Her prehensile hair moving around wildly behind her. Renita was still terrified of HIM finding her, but she knew it was only a matter of time.

“Your Leaders are lying to you,” said Renita. “They are not fighting for Zavin. They are fighting to distract you from your real problems. They told me so, themselves.”

“Don’t listen to her,” said the Blue Leader. “Charge!”

The two armies moved to start fighting each other. Renita used her prehensile hair to slam into the ground between them. She had made her prehensile hair large enough to leave a small indent in the ground. This way, they would not be able to walk or move their tanks over to the other side to continue fighting.

“You are going to listen to me,” said Renita. “A few days ago, I got a letter from a little girl who lives here. Does not matter if she is red or blue. All she wants is for the war to stop. My friend Kevin said I would never be able to fix everything in one weekend, and it looks like he was right. So, I have made a decision. I am going to restore this statue to the way it looked before the paint faded. This will force you to either stop the war or find a different reason to fight. In which case, I will solve that problem too.”

Renita turned to look at the statue of Zavin. She flew up to the top, stopping when she was floating in front of Zavin’s face. She placed her hand out in front of her. Drawing the mana from the statue, she moved it to restore the paint upon the statue. Slowly, paint reappeared upon the statue.

The statue’s colors came back. It surprised Renita to see the statue in its proper color. The robe upon the statue was white. With a red and blue shoulder seams, one color on each side. He had a gray beard and hair. The book he was holding was red on the front and blue on the back. His skin color was a pale purple color.

It was the color of Red and Blue combined.

“There, that is the real color of your statue,” said Renita.

She turned to see both sides of the army staring up at the statue. She could see the Red and Blue Leader glaring at her. They did not like that she ruined their plans. She did not care. This war was stupid and she needed to put a stop to it. This was the only way she knew how to do that.

“She changed Zavin’s color,” yelled the Blue Leader.

“Get her,” yelled the Red Leader. “Get her.”

Renita could not believe what she was hearing. She placed a shield around her as they shot at her. They eventually combined their colors and turned purple. She had not expected that. How could they be against her if they were the same color as Zavin now? None of this made sense.

“STOP,” shouted Renita.

Everyone stopped.

“Do you not see the color you currently are is the same color as Zavin,” said Renita.

They looked at each other, murmuring to themselves.

“Do you not see that Zavin was at peace with the world and worked together with his fellow people,” said Renita. “Why can you not do the same? If everyone worked together, there would be no war, no one starving, people able to afford homes and children going off to school. Please work together to make everyone on this planet happy?”

“I suppose you are right,” said the Blue Leader.

“We shall try to fix the issues of our people,” said the Red Leader.

Well, she guessed by the sound of their voices on who was talking. They were both purple now. Renita smiled and rebuilt her human form. She smiled. It had been a long two days of work, trying to stop this war but she succeeded. It was time to go home. Renita was happy for that.

“Let’s go find Kevin,” said Gwen.

“Yeah,” said Renita.

The two of them found Kevin with a chest full of something. Renita knew it was probably these people’s money. She would not allow Kevin to take any of it with him. On board of Ship, she discretely pushed the chest off as Ship flew off into space. He did not need to keep money earned through exploitation.

“I am happy that I could help,” said Renita. “I just hope they stick to what they said and do not go back to fighting against each other.”

“It’s good that you united them,” said Gwen. “It’s strange that they can change colors.”

“It is,” said Renita.

“Where’d the chest go?” asked Kevin.

“I think I saw it slide off of Ship as we ascended,” said Renita.

“Oh,” said Kevin.

A few days later, Renita got another holo-disk teleported into her room. She picked it up and turned it on. It was Probity. She was smiling. That was good.

“Dear Miss Ren Ten,” said Probity. “I get to go to school now. Although, I still have to work at the factory after school. It is better than it was before. I want to thank you for helping. Thank you.”

Chapter Text

Renita hung up the phone. It was Friday night. She had wanted to go to sleep early but that was foiled. Grandpa Max has called in her team. It was the weekend. Did hero work ever rest for one single night? It was difficult being a hero, a student, going to therapy, hanging out with friends and family while trying to maintain a long distance relationship.

Sometimes, she felt like she needed a vacation. She would take her time going. Renita went down to the garage to drive her car to Grandpa Max’s command center. She loved her car and did not get to drive it often since Kevin hated being in the passenger seat. Renita did not like riding in the back but she put up with it because it was easier to discuss the mission together in person.

She parked her car next to Kevin’s car. The back of the garage was opened by her palm. She took the elevator down to the lowest level where Grandpa Max was working. Renita wondered how Elena was doing. Last she heard of Elena, she joined the Plumber’s Academy to train to be a Plumber.

Blonko had been surprised to see her show up. She was human and had to work harder than the rest of them to prove herself. Blonko had offered to help her but Elena turned him down. Maybe she thought Blonko had been a creep or something. It hurt her feelings that Elena had not even given Blonko a chance to explain himself to her.

Inside of the office, Gwen and Kevin were already there waiting on her. It looked like they had been waiting a while but when she checked her phone, it only took her twenty minutes to drive there. Were they close by? Is that how they came here so fast? Renita felt her eye twitch.

“Finally made it,” said Kevin. “What took you so long?”

“I drove my car here,” said Renita.

“I thought you were going to start using your mana more?” asked Gwen.

“I am,” said Renita. “Just because I do not use it all the time, does not mean I am not using it more.”

“Guys, now is not the time to argue,” said Grandpa Max. “I need you guys to go to Walton.”

Renita felt insulted. She was not arguing with anyone. She was informing them that just because she had mana and was able to use it did not mean she had to use it all the time. It was frustrating for everyone to always think the worst of her because of her past. She has changed.

“You want us to go where?” asked Renita.

She needed more information than that.

“A little town called Walton,” said Grandpa Max. “Every 17 years, college students from another planet land there to blow off steam for a week.”

“Life-Form Spring Break,” said Renita.

“Right,” said Grandpa Max. “But this time, one of the aliens has gone missing. I need you three to go find him.”

Gwen left first. Renita turned to look at Kevin. He had a gold chained necklace in his hand. He closed his fist and walked away. Renita sighed. It was time for a journey that might become uncomfortable. Gwen and Kevin never allowed her to unwind, but they get onto her if she did not allow them time to unwind. Double Standards.

They were almost to the town when Kevin decided to break the silence.

“Podunk town in the middle of nowhere,” said Kevin. “Why don't aliens ever go missing anyplace fun?”

“This is farm country,” said Gwen. “What are aliens even doing here? What's so special about this place?”

Kevin stopped the car. In front of them was an overturned red tractor. Beside it was the welcome sign for the town of Walton. The sign was on the ground with holes and edges missing. It was not something one expected to see in the middle of nowhere. What happened to cause this destruction?

“Hooligans,” said Kevin. “Ha, and from the looks of it, amateurs.”

Renita and the other two got out of the car. Renita walked up to the tractor, looking at it. She moved to walk further and hit her toe on something. Renita pulled her foot up on instinct. It was a weird that she did something that had been ingrained since she was young.

“Ouch,” said Renita. “I seemed to have stubbed my toe.”

Kevin turned up the lights for them to see better. Renita saw something gold on the road. She walked forward and knelt on the ground. Gwen and Kevin walked forward. Gwen knelt down on the road. Kevin joined them. Everyone was looking at the stuff on the ground. They were beaded together in three or four lumps, scattered across the road.

“They look like, um…,” said Gwen.

“Poop,” said Kevin.

“Shiny poop,” said Gwen.

Kevin picked it up and sniffed it. He moved to bite it.

“Kevin, don’t,” said Gwen.

“It's okay,” said Kevin. “It looks like gold.”

“Please don't do it,” said Gwen.

Kevin bit into it.

“Mmm, it is gold,” said Kevin. “And it's real.”

“Solid-gold poop,” said Renita.

They looked down the road at the scattered down it leading into the town. The three of them got into the car and Kevin continued his drive. They reached the town when daylight was coming up. The town was not what they expected. Everything is new and expensive looking.

“Look at this place,” said Renita.

“Sure, these farmers must be rolling in…,” said Kevin.

“Kevin,” said Gwen looking at Kevin.

“I was gonna say dough,” said Kevin.

Out the sides of the buildings came a bunch of small looking rodents. They were brown and small with a gray stomach, mouth and some white hair like a beard, a white stripe on the top of their heads in the middle and a white tail. They have four fingers and what looked liked hoofed feet. They walked on two legs.

Black was around their eyes with yellow iris’s and a black pupil. They surrounded Kevin’s car and started rocking it. It was not fun. The car was shifting back and forth. It was a good thing she had her seat belt on. She might have been tossed around in the back of the car if not for it.

“Get your hands off my ride,” said Kevin.

The little things finally put the car down and scattered. Gwen and Kevin got out of the car. Renita left the back seat of the car. The three stood there for a second before someone clothed in white, bald but with black hair wrapped around from ear to ear, black eyes, and a black thin bow-tie. He wore black shoes.

“You didn't see any aliens,” said the man grabbing his jacket sides. “It was swamp gas.”

The three of them walked towards the man.

“Please,” said Gwen putting a hand on her hip.

“Mass hysteria?” asked the man. He put his hands down. “Weather balloons?”

“Save it,” said Kevin. He pulled out his Plumber badge. “We're Plumbers.”

“Well, why didn't you say so?” asked the man. “Welcome to Walton. You here for the popcorn festival?”

“What is the deal with this festival?” asked Renita.

“We make the best popcorn in the universe,” said the man. “Aliens can't get enough of the stuff. Every 17 years, they come back. But where are my manners? I'm Mayor Coleman.”

He held out his hand. No one moved to shake it. They were not here for pleasantries. There was someone missing and they needed to find that life-form.

“What can you tell us about the missing life-form?” asked Renita.

“Missing alien?” said Mayor Coleman. “There's no missing alien. If there was a missing alien, he's probably just running around, eating popcorn and having fun.”

“Uh-huh, we're still gonna have to look around,” said Gwen.

“Be my guest, but I'm afraid you're not gonna find anything,” said Mayor Coleman.

He walked away from them. That was rude.

“Ren, we're gonna have to search this place,” said Gwen.

“Yeah, we are,” said Renita.

Renita moved to an ally-way that the little life-forms had ran towards. It was weird to see. There were small barrels of popcorn everywhere. Several of the little life-form were eating popcorn, feeding popcorn to others.

“I have had, like, so much popcorn,” said one of them.

One of them walked in front of Renita.

“Farmer Wayne just filled his swimming pool with popcorn,” said that one in front of her. “The pool's got a diving board. Come on, man.”

They got up and ran to the Farmer’s pool. Renita stared after them. It was weird. Kevin and Gwen ran up to her. She wanted to go look at the Farmer’s pool but she did not know if that would help their investigation. Renita turned to look behind Gwen. She had sensed someone approaching them.

“Were you,” said the little life-form. “Were you sent by Max Tennyson?”

“You're the one who called for help?” asked Gwen.

“My name is Orb,” said the little life-form. “My mom and dad told me that if I ever got into any trouble on Earth, I should call Max Tennyson.”

“Good advice,” said Kevin.

“The missing life-form is a friend of yours?” asked Renita.

“My best friend,” said Orb. “His name's Decka. One moment, we're stuffing our faces with popcorn. The next moment, he's gone. I'm worried sick.”

“Do you have anything of his that I could use to track him?” asked Gwen. “A piece of clothing or something?”

“No, nothing like that,” said Orb. “I'm sorry.”

“It's okay,” said Gwen. “We'll have to find your friend the old-fashioned way.” Orb gave them a weird look. “We're gonna have to look for him.”

“Let’s go check out Farmer Wayne’s place to start looking,” said Kevin.

They walked into the area, Mayor Coleman walking that way too. They followed behind him. The little life-forms were destroying a house by tipping it over. Renita moved to stop them but Mayor Coleman held up a hand.

“Why did you stop me?” asked Renita.

“Popcorn festival's only once every 17 years,” said Mayor Coleman. “No one wants to press charges. It's just a little damage.”

“They destroyed the farm,” said Renita.

“Boys will be boys,” said Mayor Coleman. “Now don't forget to eat lots of popcorn.”

“That is it?” asked Renita. “They level an entire building and all you can tell them is, eat lots of popcorn?”

“Now, don't worry your head, girl,” said Mayor Coleman. “It's complicated.”

“What's so complicated?” asked Gwen. “The aliens eat popcorn, then they leave behind solid gold, right? That's why this town has so much money.”

“Okay, you got us,” said Mayor Coleman. “Every 17 years, we make some popcorn, then shovel up the gold. Our entire economy's based on alien…”

“Poop,” said Kevin.

“Wrong on so many levels,” said Gwen.

“Nobody wants to be punishing the alien kids, and the festival's almost over,” said Mayor Coleman. “They're gonna be heading back to school in the morning anyway.”

“Not all of us,” said Orb. “I'm not leaving until we find Decka.”

“Decka?” said Mayor Coleman. “He probably went home already. Looking for him is a waste of time.”

“All the same, we are gonna take a look around,” said Renita.

Renita walked away. It was time to start searching for Decka. She did not know how she was going to find him but she had to figure something out. Renita heard Gwen and Kevin talk as she walked away.

“I'll go with Ren,” said Kevin.

“Kevin, are you avoiding me?” asked Gwen.

“No, I just love hanging out with your cousin,” said Kevin.

Renita looked at Kevin out of the corner of her eye as they walked. It was weird for Kevin to go with her and not Gwen. Something was up.

“That is the second time you have left her,” said Renita. “Are you two fighting?”

“If we were, would I talk about it with you?” asked Kevin.

“Okay,” said Renita.

They had searched for hours and found nothing. No trace of Decka. This was bad news. When the sun started to go down, all of the little life-forms started gathering at the corn fields along with the people of the town. The Mayor was at the front of the group. Renita stood off to the side with her own group.

“Y'all come back, now,” said Mayor Coleman.

Renita moved to follow Orb into the corn field.

“What is happening?” asked Renita.

“The festival is over,” said Orb. “It's time to go back to school.”

They made it to the middle of the field where all the spaceships had landed. Renita watched as they took off, one by one. There spaceships were small and red with silver. It was interesting to see that each college student had their own ship. College students from their planet must be rich. Then again solid gold poop would make any species rich.

“This has been the worst popcorn festival ever,” said Orb.

Gwen moved to pat Orb on the back to comfort him.

“Maybe the Mayor was right,” said Gwen. “Maybe your friend went home.”

“Without telling anybody?” asked Orb. “That's not like Decka.”

Renita walked forward. There were two spaceships left. That means someone did not leave Earth.

“Two spaceships left,” said Renita. “One is yours. The other one must be Decka's.”

“He's still here,” said Orb.

“And we have something to track him with,” said Gwen. “Which ship is yours?”

Orb pointed to the one on the right. Gwen walked up to the one on the left. She used her mana to get a lock on Decka. She opened her eyes, they were glowing purple. She has gotten really good at locating other’s mana.

“Got him,” said Gwen.

The group of four traveled all the way to the Mayor’s house. It was his barn that they went towards. The barn doors were open or well destroyed. Gwen was at the head of them. She used her mana to light up the barn as they walked into it. They walked until they saw a small destroyed car.

“What do you suppose used to be in there?” asked Renita.

“It's the Mayor's barn,” said Gwen. “Let's find him and ask him.”

“Won't be a problem finding him,” said Kevin. “I see you hiding back there. Come on out before I have to hurt —“

The Mayor used a blaster to shoot at the group. Gwen used a shield to protect them from the blasts.

“See?” said Kevin. “This is why everybody hates politicians.”

Renita used her mana to float into the air. She moved around as the Mayor focused on shooting her. She dodged the shots. Gwen knocked the gun out of his hand. Renita used her prehensile hair to trip the mayor as he ran for his gun. Kevin stepped on it. Renita landed on the ground behind the Mayor lying on the ground.

“Bad idea,” said Kevin.

Orb growled as he moved to attack the Mayor. Renita grabbed him to keep him from attacking.

“Where is Decka?” asked Orb. “What did you do to him?”

“I do not know how long I can keep him off you,” said Renita. “Better start talking.”

“Okay, I snatched him,” said Mayor Coleman.

“Got greedy, huh?” asked Kevin. “Decided to have your own personal gold maker.” He paused and laughed. “Make. I'm funny.”

“I don't get it,” said Gwen.

“Like, make a number two?” said Kevin.

“Really?” asked Gwen. “That was the whole joke?”

“We've got a problem,” said Orb.

He was by the destroyed cage. He picked up a half eaten slab of meat. He walked back to the group. Orb looked terrified as he held the meat in his hands. This did not look or sound good to her. What were the consequences of their people eating meat? It must be something terrible.

“Did you feed him meat?” asked Orb. “Tell me you didn't feed him meat.”

“Why?” asked Renita. “What is wrong with meat?”

“For our species, eating meat is bad,” said Orb.

“How bad we talking here?” asked Kevin.

They heard a growl outside of the barn. Everyone walked out to see a huge Decka. He grew even bigger. Decka became more muscular. His fur had changed from brown to a dark red, and his tail was longer. He started rampaging.

“Decka, no,” said Orb.

Decka destroyed the top of the barn. The pieces rained down upon them. Gwen created a shield to block the pieces from harming them. Decka started eating the barn. He must be hungry for something. Why else would Decka eat the barn? They needed to stop Decka from doing harm to the people here.

“Don't hurt him,” said Orb. “He's still my best friend.”

“We'll try,” said Gwen.

“She'll try,” said Kevin. “I'm not promising anything.”

Renita flew up into the air. She moved around to distract it. Decka roared at her. Renita moved to wrap Decka up in mana. He broked the mana and smacked Renita. She fell into the barn and landed on the ground. Decka started destroying the barn until there was nothing left of it. Decka left.

“Ren,” called out Gwen.

Renita moved up out of the barn. Her head hurt but otherwise she was fine.

“I have got to remember to create shields to protect me,” said Renita.

“This is all because your friend ate one bad piece of meat?” asked Kevin.

“My people can't eat meat or we revert into our primal form,” said Orb, “a mindless monster.”

“Can we change him back?” asked Gwen.

“Don't have to,” said Orb. “He'll only stay in that form as long as he keeps eating.”

“So, good news,” said Renita.

“Sure,” said Kevin. “Give us the rest of it.”

“The thing is, this form is only the beginning,” said Orb. “He's going to consume all the meat he can find. Then, when he's enriched enough fissionable material, he's going to reproduce.”

“Meaning?” asked Renita.

“He's going to split into 100 identical copies,” said Orb. “Then they'll go off and eat everything they can find!”

“How many times can he do that?” asked Renita.

“Ever wonder what happened to Mars?” asked Orb. “It used to be called the Popcorn planet.”

The three of them moved to follow after Decka.

“Careful,” called Orb. “One wrong step, and it could be your last.”

“What?” asked Renita. “Do not step on the gold?”

“Gold is what happens when we eat popcorn,” said Orb. “In that form, his waste is uranium one four one two.”

“Unstable radioactive poop?” asked Kevin.

“Yes, so whatever you do, don't step in the uranium,” said Orb.

Renita created a road above the ground for Kevin to run across so that he did not step on the uranium. She did not wait Kevin to be blown up. He might not die because of his body composition currently but it would hurt. Renita did not know why Gwen had not made a road for Kevin. Did she not think about it?

“I thought he was going to look for meat,” said Renita. “He is at the power plant.”

“Ooh, bad,” said Orb.

They watched as Decka walked up to the power plant and grabbed on to it. Power surged into Decka.

“He's absorbing the power,” said Orb. “Once he's got enough energy, he's going to divide.”

“Got an idea,” said Renita.

Renita flew over head and looked for the turbines creating the energy source. She threw a few mana blasts at them. It destroyed them. That stopped the power plant from creating more power. Decka growled and started eating the actual building of the power plant. That was not good.

“We cut off the power, but it's still hungry,” said Gwen. “Now what?”

“Get me close enough to talk to him,” said Orb. “Maybe I can reason with him.”

Gwen created steps for Orb to move up close and near the head of Decka.

“Decka, it's me, Orb,” said Orb. “I know you're in there. This isn't you. The meat has poisoned your mind. I know my best friend is inside fighting to take control. Please fight it. Fight it, and we can go home.”

Decka grabbed Orb out of the air and moved to place him inside his mouth to eat him.

“Hey,” cried Orb.

Kevin jumped up with a stone hammer for a hand and smacked Decka’s hand holding Orb. Decka dropped Orb to the ground. Gwen caught him and placed him on the ground. Kevin landed back on the ground beside Gwen.

“Do you have any other ideas?” asked Gwen.

“Yes,” said Orb, “evacuate the planet.”

“Your species is not supposed to eat meat,” said Renita as she moved to float in front of Orb. “What else can't you eat?”

“Uh, some heavy metals, Lanthanides, fluorine, silicon, chicken nuggets —,” Orb started listing off.

“Back up,” said Renita. “What about silicon?”

“Silicon?” asked Orb. “It's poisonous.”

“Okay,” said Renita. “Whatever happens, stay back.”

Renita moved her Omnitrix to the correct life-form she needed to take. The Sonorosian was made up of silicon. All she had to do was be eaten by Decka or at least one of her clones. Not that she was looking forward to that. She ran towards Decka as he continued to eat the power station. She multiplied into several different Sonorosian’s.

She created a gentle sound blast to gain Decka’s attention. She stopped as Decka turned to look at her many clones. Decka grabbed a few and swallowed them. She taunted Decka into eating more and more clones. She could hear Gwen talking in the background as her clones were being eaten.

“The Sonorosian’s are made of silicon,” said Gwen.

Decka started to look sick to his stomach. He fell to his knees unmoving as he most likely tried not to throw up. Renita had several of her clones run up Decka and jump down into his body. This was disgusting but necessary to save her planet from being destroyed by these life-forms.

“Almost, there,” said several of her clones as they fell down Decka’s throat.

Decka gagged and attempted not to throw up. But it was impossible. Decka threw up every single one of her clones and then reverted back to his original size. Renita returned to her human form. She removed the liquid from Decka’s stomach off of her as Gwen, Kevin and Orb ran up to her.

“That was different,” said Renita.

“Ew,” said Kevin and Gwen.

Orb ran to Decka to check up on him. Decka woke up as Gwen was on the phone with Grandpa Max. Renita went to grab the Mayor and tie him up. Kevin escorted the two life-forms to the field where their spaceships were landed. Gwen went with Kevin. Renita met them there.

“You're going to be fine,” said Orb.

“Sorry that this happened,” said Renita. “We will make sure the mayor is punished.”

“Your whole worthless planet should be punished,” said Decka. “Come on, Orb.”

That was not fair. It was not the whole planet's fault for what one person did. The two walked to their spaceships and got inside of them.

“I am telling everyone,” said Decka. “We are never coming back to this dump again.”

He closed the lid to his spaceship. It sealed shut. It looked like Walton will no longer be getting visitors. Renita glared at the mayor and escorted him to Kevin’s car. Grandpa Max was going to place Mayor Coleman in Plumber prison. That way he could not talk his way out of the mess he had made.

Renita allowed the two to have their moment. She did not want to interrupt whatever it was that was going on between Gwen and Kevin. The two of them needed to work it out. It was best to leave them be. Renita opened her phone and texted Blonko. The two talked the whole ride back to Bellwood.

She felt bad keeping Blonko awake all night, but she wanted comfort.

Chapter Text

School had been okay for her, for the time that she had attended. Her teachers were starting to treat her like she understood what they were teaching her. C.J. and Cash were being pushed back and not given time to mess with her.

Her friends were awesome in that regard. There were so many things she was thankful for. Her friends, especially Julie and Molly, were the best. Between the two of them, Renita was not left alone to deal with anyone anymore.

Renita talked to Asmodeus about the last few days. It was not a heavy conversation today. She had not run into much that caused her issues in her daily life. Asmodeus was curious about the war she stopped on another planet. Renita admitted to Asmodeus that she was unsure if what she did was the right thing.

After all, war on another planet was not the same as on Earth. Those people could change their color from Blue and Red to Purple. That was it. The one who lead them to a better society was Zavin. An off-worlder that had appeared one day to a chaotic world.

He was lucky that his skin color was purple and not another color. It would not have been good for those people. Zavin might have saved them back in the day but his teachings had been lost over hundreds of years.

Fighting just to avoid the issues of the people. That sounded so human. Most people would rather fight then solve their issues. So did Renita do a good thing or a bad thing?

“That is a good question,” said Asmodeus. “Whether your actions upon this planet were good or bad will haunt you for the rest of your life. There is no way of knowing which way it will land. Those people will have to decide for themselves whether your actions will be good for them or bad for them.”

“I know,” sighed Renita. “It is just hard to let things go. The past is the past and I cannot change any of it. Not that I would ever change anything. The past must stay the course. After all, no one knows what kind of consequences could happen if the past is changed. I do not want to find out.”

“A wise decision,” said Asmodeus. “Not many people would have that outlook. They would want to change the little things and the big things in their life that did not go the way they wanted.”

“That is my life,” said Renita. “Nothing has gone the way I wanted it to since I can remember. However, I have accepted that certain things that happened were meant to happen to me.”

“We all need to accept that,” said Asmodeus. “Our past shapes who we are now.”

Renita moved on and talked about the change that happened to Kevin. She knew it was not her fault completely. Professor Paradox, Kevin, Gwen, and Renita all had a hand in it. Although, everyone but Professor Paradox blamed Renita for it.

“Could you go into more detail about it?” asked Asmodeus. “Start from the beginning.”

“Kevin had a suggestion on how to give me an edge against an old enemy that had gotten stronger,” said Renita. “Vilgax was a life-form that attacked me constantly when I was ten. He finally returned with the Challenge for the fate of the Earth.”

“I accepted because I had no choice in the matter,” said Renita. “No one else had the ability or the strength to fight against Vilgax and hold their own. Kevin wanted to hack the Omnitrix to unlock the Master Control.”

Renita looked at her Omnitrix. It was still messed up. It did not do what she wanted most of the time. She struggled to get the life-form she wanted for each mission. Although, she enjoyed the aspect of being able to switch forms with a touch of the Omnitrix button.

Timing out sometimes, took too long. She also enjoyed being about to leave her transformations without waiting for the timeout. This upgraded Omnitrix was pretty cool in those aspects. She wished she had master control but she understood she did not need it anytime soon.

She did not feel mature enough for it yet. Azmuth was right to withhold it until her eighteenth birthday. Maybe, she would ask to hold off if she still did not feel mature enough to have master control.

“I had reservations about it,” said Renita. “Gwen voiced her reservations to the plan as well. Kevin had assured us everything would be fine. We started the hack, but Azmuth interrupted and told me not to continue hacking it. I agreed with that.”

“However, as I was about to voice the fact I wanted to stop, I was stopped,” said Renita. “Professor Paradox showed up. He told me, I had to allow the events that were about to happen, to happen. The change to Kevin was meant to happen. It would spell disaster if it did not.”

“I did not know, us hacking the Omnitrix would lead to the change in Kevin,” said Renita. “I trust Professor Paradox. He has saved the world and has helped us save the world. He only wants the world to continue existing. For the best outcome to happen to Earth.”

“The explosion happened and Kevin transformed into an elemental form” said Renita. “Stone, Wood, Metal, and Diamonds for his elemental form. He cannot change back to his human form. Kevin blames me for his transformation. Azmuth blames me for hacking the Omnitrix.”

“Gwen blames me as well,” said Renita. “I only did what I was asked to allow. It is not like Kevin nor Gwen attempted to stop it from happening at first. We all changed our minds but I was told to continue. Perhaps, they will learn the real reason it needed to be done later on.”

“It is not like I know why it had to happen,” said Renita. “Professor Paradox, never told me the reason. But because I allowed it to happen, everyone thinks I am not as mature as I actually am.”

“It must be difficult,” said Asmodeus. “Struggling to do what was right and what felt right. The end result was not what you expected. The backlash has resulted in those around you not trusting you completely.”

“Yeah,” said Renita. “I still feel guilty.”

“That is normal,” said Asmodeus. “The consequences of all your actions has been placed upon your shoulders alone. They do not understand the pressure you are under. They do not understand the decisions you make are difficult. One wrong step and everything can go wrong.”

“You are correct,” said Renita. “I have to sometimes gamble my ideas and hope they pan out if all else fails. I know my actions can seem like snap decisions but I have to weigh everything as fast as possible. The pros and the cons. Sometimes there is no time and I have to make a decision without being able to weigh the pros and cons.”

“I know you feel this heavy burden and take on all the bad that happens because you are the leader,” said Asmodeus. “Leaders have to stand tall and appear perfect. You, as a leader, cannot do that. For the picture of a perfect leader is impossible in real life. All leaders make mistakes. All leaders must weigh their decisions against what is right or what is best. You are not alone in that.”

“Thank you,” said Renita. “That makes me feel better.”

“As for the change to Kevin,” said Asmodeus. “It apparently had to happen. So, do not feel guilty about it. Kevin’s struggle is important. Just because none of you know what that is yet, does not mean it does not exist. You have to be patient and wait for the moment it is revealed to you.”

“I hope that is soon,” said Renita. “I want to find a way to return Kevin back to his human form. I hate that he is not human currently.”

“You must liken it your current situation,” said Asmodeus.

“Sort of,” said Renita. “My state is permanent. Kevin’s could be temporary. I hope it is temporary.”

“Do not fret about it for now,” said Asmodeus. “You cannot change the past.”

Renita ended the session talking about the little rodent like life-forms that had spring break from college on Planet Earth because of popcorn. She talked about their golden poop and how disgusting it was that people had used those life-forms for their own gain.

She went home to find her Grandmother Lucinda had decided to not visit them for once. She was grateful for that. However, when she went inside, she saw that one of her Aunts was there. It was Aunt Kendra and a young teen about Renita’s age.

“Renita,” said Aunt Kendra.

She went to go hug Renita. Renita backed up. She was not in a hurry to accept her Aunt or her hugs. She did not know this woman. She was actually not interested in her either. She did not understand why the woman was here to begin with.

The young teen had black hair and green eyes. She wore a high tailored dress and high heels. Renita did not like the flaunting of money. Just because you had money, did not mean you needed to flaunt it. Renita had sued that show about Hero Buddies.

So, she had money from it. She kept getting money too. She used that money to compensate any and all damages done to the cities where Renita fights a life-from. She knew fighting life-forms in cities would result in damage to people, buildings and cars. It was inevitable.

“Not comfortable with hugging me yet,” said Aunt Kendra. “I am sure that will go away with time. This is my daughter Michelle.”

“Hello, cousin,” said Cousin Michelle.

“Greetings, cousin,” said Renita. “I suppose, she is who you want to take over as leader of the Hemmingworth family.”

“Yes,” said Aunt Kendra. “I wanted to introduce you two because I wanted you to understand that Michelle has been learning how to lead since she was born.”

“I do not want the leadership of the Hemmingworth family,” said Renita. “She can have it. You can have it.”

“You might change your mind later on,” said Aunt Kendra.

“I will not,” said Renita. “I am a Plumber and I will never change my mind.”

“Good,” snapped Cousin Michelle. “Because I will not give up my future position to anyone.”

“Calm down,” said Renita. “No reason to be snappy at me. I told Grandmother Lucinda, I would never take over for her and I stand by that.”

“You are giving her a chance to change your mind, this summer,” Aunt Kendra pointed out to me.

“I only said that to get her to leave me alone,” said Renita. “I am busy and she always visits right after my therapy sessions. Sessions that drain me. By the time I visit with her, I am just ready for bed. Like I am now. So, if you will excuse me, I am going to bed.”

Renita turned and left. She did not care if she seemed rude. Why did the Hemmingworth family not understand she held no interest in them? She just wanted to be left alone. Renita had enough on her plate as it was.

Being a leader was not an easy job. Being a hero was not easy either. Hell, being a human teenager was no easy task. She wished Blonko was here to hug her. All she wanted was to curl around Blonko and sleep.

She went for the next best things. She called Blonko and asked him to talk until she fell asleep. Blonko started talking about what he was learning in his lessons at the Academy. Renita drifted off to sleep listening to Blonko’s voice.

In the morning, she went to go to school. She was stopped by James Smith standing at her front door. Renita frowned. What would it take to get this guy to leave her alone?

“What do you want?” asked Renita.

“I saw you had visitors last night,” said James. “I wanted to know who they were. As my future wife, I need to know who you speak to.”

“Not that it is any of your business,” said Renita. “It was my Aunt and Cousin. Got a problem with me speaking to family?”

“Of course not,” smiled James. “Family is important. I am glad to know you speak to your family regularly. Please adjust your attitude for the next time we speak.”

“Go fuck yourself,” said Renita.

Renita walked away to the garage. Next time, she would use the inside door to get to the garage. She did not want to speak to James ever again. He was annoying and starting to become a problem that needed to be dealt with sooner rather than later.

“That is language unbecoming of a woman,” said James following her.

“Do not care,” said Renita.

She opened her garage door and headed for her motorcycle. She had not planned on taking it to school today but anything to piss off James was good in her book. After all, women do not ride motorcycles.

She got on her bike and started it up after putting on her helmet. James stopped in front of her. He had a frown upon his face. She glared at him. He was in the way. His arms were crossed as he stared at her.

“Please move aside,” said Renita. “I do not wish to be late to school.”

“Get off that bike,” said James. “That is too dangerous for you to drive.”

“Not happening,” said Renita. “I own this bike and I am going to drive it.”

“I will not move,” said James crossing his arms.

“FATHER,” yelled Renita.

She knew her father had not left for work yet. He would make James leave. Father walked out into the garage, coffee in hand. He saw James in front of Renita blocking her path. Father walked forward until he was almost touching James.

“Who told you, you could be on my property?” asked Father.

“No one,” said James. “I am allowed because she is my future wife.”

“Get out of my garage,” said Father. “Then get off my property before I call the police and have you arrested for trespassing.”

“I will leave for now,” said James.

He turned and walked away. Father moved to stand on his lawn to watch James return to his house. Renita turned her bike on and moved it out of the garage. James was standing on his parents property, staring at Renita.

“Have a good day at school, honey,” said Father.

“I will try,” said Renita.

She left for school. There were days that she had a good time. There were days she had a terrible time. There were also days that she struggled. But the most important thing to Renita was that she was doing her best every single day.

Chapter Text

Renita was driving down the road on her bike when something slammed into the ground in front of her. She blinked as she served to miss whatever it was. She stopped her bike and looked back to see a silver pole with a black ax head sticking out of the ground. Standing beside it was a hulking, humanoid life-form, with gray skin.

He wore a black, overall-like outfit with red trim. He had long, white hair, and a scar on his left eye. His eyes were black with red pupils, and he had two slits for a nose. He also had a black trim around his face. He looked menacing. The dude pulled out the ax and Renita was able to see the blade was red.

“I have found you wielder of the Omnitrix,” said the hulking life-form. “Hand it over.”

“What are you talking about?” asked Renita. “Attacking a girl out of no where.”

“I must attack before you have a chance to change your form,” said the hulking life-form.

He threw the ax at Renita. She sped away. She had to lose him. But it would be impossible on the bike. She pulled into an alleyway to turn off the bike. She jumped off her bike, teleporting it into the garage at home as she transformed into the Arachnichimp. She used her tail to shoot web up to the side of a building.

She would try to lose him above the city, like Spider-man. Renita swung from building top to building top trying to run away as fast as she could. She jumped over a billboard on top of a roof and stopped behind it. Her chest was heaving with how much energy she had exerted trying to run from this life-form.

As she calmed down, her thoughts raced to figure out how to escape. She knelt down as she relaxed. The red blade of the ax pierced the billboard. Renita jumped away from it. The blade moved up at an angle. It then came down at an angle on the other side, creating a V. The billboard fell forward. Renita jumped backwards onto a heating and air vent to get away.

Floating in the air on an V shaped machine that kept the life-form in air, was the stupid life-form chasing her. He held his ax in both hands. His hair whipping around because of the damage he caused. What kind of life-form chased after a girl? The Omnitrix was being targeted again.

“The Omnitrix,” said the life-form, “where is it?”

She shot a web at his face. It hit him square in his face. He was pushed back, grunting at the impact. He moved to pull it off his face. Renita was surprised that worked. Normally, her enemies dodged those attacks because they were prepared for them. Did this guy not know how she worked? Everything goes in battles.

She used her web to sling her to another building off to the side, landing there, she turned to look at the life-form. She could teleport herself away but that would not be fun. She has not had a good chase in a long time.

“Green watch looking item?” asked Renita. “Hourglass symbol? Turns you into all kinds of super powered aliens?”

“Yes,” said the life-form as he ripped the web off his face.

“Never heard of it,” said Renita.

Sometimes, she needed to learn not to taunt her opponents before she knew what they could do. He flew up to where she was and attacked with the ax. Renita moved up the building as the ax slammed into it, crumbling the corner of the building. Renita ran along the roof-tops as fast as she could move.

“Don't toy with me,” said the life-form. “I know you have the Omnitrix. I have traced its energy here with this.”

He pulled out a square device that had the Omnitrix symbol on it moving as she moved. So, that was how he had tracked her down. She needed to get rid of it, that way he could not track her anymore. She also needed to know where it came from. If she could find out where, she could go destroy the rest of the devices.

“Cool,” said Renita. She used her web to grab it out of his hands as she ran away from him. “Where'd you get it?”

He used his ax to slice off the web and grabbed his falling device out of mid-air. He was grinning. That was never a good sign for her. Enemies grinning were more dangerous than they let on because they knew they had something up their sleeve to tip the tide in their favor.

“I am Sunder,” said the life-form. Finally, she knew his name. “Finder of rare and precious objects.”

She took a sharp turn, still running along the roof tops. Something came out of no-where and grabbed her. It was a net. It wrapped around her and forced her into a roll off of the building she had been running across. She landed in an alley-way with a thud. That hurt, she struggled to sit up. She was about to start using her own powers to escape this life-form.

“Seriously, you carry an ax and your name is Sunder?” asked Renita. “Well, I guess that's no worse than the Vaxasaurian.”

She transformed into the Vaxasuarian, ripping apart the net that had caught her. She walked up to Sunder. He cringed back, probably waiting to be hit. Except she de-transformed into her human form. That was not good. She looked at herself, wondering what was going on with the Omnitrix.

“Okay,” said Renita.

Sunder flew down to be closer to the ground. He was higher up and forced Renita to look up at him. He was probably doing this as some type of domineering ‘I am better than you’ thing. Renita hated when people did that sort of thing. She tried not to do it herself. Acting like someone was better than others was not cool. He stepped off his ride.

“The Omnitrix will fetch me a handsome price,” said Sunder.

“Good luck getting it off my wrist,” said Renita.

“I'll worry about the details later,” said Sunder.

He raised his ax. Renita put her arm up to defend against the ax. It slammed into her wrist right below the Omnitrix. A bright red light emitted from it. She groaned as she opened her eyes. She was lying down on some type of rock and not concrete. The sky was red all around her. Rocks and debris floating in the air.

“How did I get here?” asked Renita. “Where is here, anyway? The Null Void? Oh, Amber Ogia.”

She sat up and curled into a ball. Renita had to figure out how to get out of the Null Void. She heard a roar in the distance. Something huge was running towards her. She stood up to see a Wigzellian Orc Beast. It was a grotesque beast, with the upper part of its body slightly resembling a frog's and three black claws on each hand. It had black lips, black crystal-shaped spikes on its shoulders, and had four bacteriophage-like legs.

“Okay,” said Renita. “Questions later. Right now, it's time to leave.” She looked down to see her left hand was missing. “My hand. Where's my hand?”

Renita dodged the charged attack of the Orc Beast. It slammed into the rock jutting out of whatever piece of rock they were standing on. She looked at the pink glowing spot where her hand and wrist should be at. It was weird. She felt something touching her hand. It curled around her hand before she felt air and then something solid.

“I do not understand,” said Renita. “I can still feel my hand, but where is it?”

Renita saw the Orc Beast and turned around and was walking to her. She balled her hands up into fists, shifting into a fighting stance.

“So, you want to fight?” asked Renita.

The Orc Beast slammed a hand down aiming for her head. Renita ducked underneath it and kicked out, slamming her foot into its stomach. She slid underneath it, using the opportunity to climb up the back of it to grip one of the spikes on its back. She slammed the arm with the missing hand onto the back of the Orc Beast.

She hoped she was doing some damage. It bucked her off. She stumbled but kept herself on her feet. She saw standing on a small ledge. She waved her hands to goad the Beast over. It started to run at her. She slide down the small ledge and ran. She took a sharp turn, making the Beast run into a small rock formation.

It slammed into the rock formation, destroying it. Renita ran up a hill to a bolder that looked unstable. She pushed until it fell. The bolder slammed into the Beast, as it flipped down the hill. It flipped the Beast with it twice before it stopped at the bottom of the hill on top of the Beast.

Renita felt her hand tugging her in different directions. Great, just what was her hand doing. She ran as it pulled her along. She did not understand what was going on but knew her hand was doing whatever it could to save her. After all, that hand had the Omnitrix attached to it and it was programed to protect the user.

As she ran, she tried to teleport to Earth but something blocked her. Did that mean this place was build in a way to keep all criminals regardless of their species here, including Anodites? How did Gwen open that portal that got her home the first time around when they discovered Grandpa Max was still alive in the Null Void?

However, she had to turn tail and run when she ran into three grayish blue Vulpimancers. She needed to get away from them. She found a stinky water source and moved to get into it. She needed to cover her scent. That way the Vulpimancers would stop tracking her.

Her hand also felt like dog slobber. Did that mean her hand was in a dogs mouth? She hoped not. It was bad enough she had to be drenched in this stink but to be slobbered on by a dog too. What a terrible day? Her hand started tugging on her again. It was like a tug of war was happening with her hand.

It splashed into the water. She heard the Vulpimancers turn around, growling as they came back. She ran from her hiding spot. Great, now she was being chased again. Renita was running through the water as it got deeper and deeper. She had to use her hands to help her out. Suddenly, she felt herself transform.

She transformed into the Necrofriggian. That made her pause as she looked at herself. It made her think of her children near the sun. This was unexpected but a good thing. She could freeze the Vulpimancers without hurting them. She turned to freeze them with one hand. The Vulpimancers got free of the ice.

That was not good. She needed something different. Renita changed herself into the Methanosian by pushing on the symbol on her chest. She lit up the water, hoping that would hold them back. It did not work. One of them jumped over and grabbed her arm that had been putting out the flames.

It ripped the hand off. That was not cool. She was already short one hand. She grew that hand back but not matter what she tried, she could not get her left hand to reappear on her left arm. Why could she not bring her hand back to her. Renita needed to escape them. She turned herself into the Aerophibian.

She flew up into the air and out of the way of the three Vulpimancers. She was safe. Now, all she needed to do was find Grandpa Max’s old place. There was bound to be some leftover Plumber tech that that could get her back home. At least, she hoped it panned out. She wanted to return to Earth and reconnect with her wrist and hand.

Renita’s hand started to hurt as something wacks it. It moved around and just when she thought it could not get worse, she transformed back into her human form. Renita started to fall. She stopped herself from falling. Her eyes glowing purple as she floated in the air.

It was as she decided to fly the rest of the way as herself that something wrapped around her and nabbed her out of the air. She looked up to see a Null Guardian holding on to her. Really, this was not her day. It even drooled on her. She blasted herself out of its hold. She flew down close to a bridge, flying as fast as she could.

What she was not expecting was to suddenly change into the Petrosapien. She fell to the bridge. Projectiles were being fired from her missing hand. They destroyed the bridge, forcing Renita to run as fast as the Petrosapien could as the bridge collapsed. It collapsed faster than she could run.

Renita fell again for the second time today. She pushed the button on her Omnitrix and turned herself into the Polymorph. Using the Anti-Gravity device, she gathered herself up and flew to the bridge part that was still there. She landed, panting from the exertion. She de-transformed and laid down upon the bridge to rest for a moment.

Her arm that was missing her hand forced her to get up or least she fell off the bridge again. She had to force herself forward as her missing hand kept trying to drag her one way or the other. It was not something she was used to fighting, herself. The struggle finally stopped for a second. She walked into Grandpa Max’s place.

She hoped to find something in there that would help her get home. What she found were the Havoc Beasts. They were small red aliens with black claws on their hands and feet. They were tearing apart everything in the place. All of a sudden, a bright light seemed to envelope her.

She closed her eyes against the light. When she opened them, she was not in the Null Void. She was on Earth. There were warehouses all around. In one of them was Kevin’s car. Kevin and Gwen must have found her hand somehow and retrieved her. That was wonderful.

“How did I?” asked Renita.

“Told ya,” said Kevin.

“Ren,” called Julie.

Julie was here. Why was Julie here?

“You’re all right,” said Gwen.

The two girls ran up to her and hugged her. Renita looked over to see Sunder approaching them. He jumped up as he spoke.

“The Omnitrix,” said Sunder. “Now!”

He slammed in ax in the spot the three girls had just been standing. Renita had sensed that something was still wrong. Her hand was still missing. She dodged the swings of the ax aiming to send her back to the Null Void. She did not want to go back there. She dodged backwards until her back hit Kevin’s car.

Great, she would have to fix his car again. Renita rolled sideways to avoid the ax. The ax got stuck inside of the hood of Kevin’s car. Kevin walked up to stand beside Renita.

“What is it with everybody wrecking my car?” asked Kevin.

“Mind telling me what is going on here?” asked Renita.

“Short answer,” said Kevin, “energy axe plus Omnitrix equals dimensional displacement. Which means your hand is probably wherever you just were.”

“My hand is in the Null Void,” said Renita.

“How do we get it back?” asked Julie. She and Gwen ran up to the two of them.

“Simple,” said Kevin. “All we have to do is reverse the polarity of the thing that displaced it in the first place.”

“The ax?” asked Renita.

“I said it was simple, not easy,” said Kevin.

Sunder had finally removed the ax from the hood of Kevin’s car. He pointed the blade tip at them.

“I won't ask again,” said Sunder. “The Omnitrix.”

“Is history, gone, finito,” said Kevin. “We don't have it. You don't have it.”

“You can lie to me, but you can't lie to my scanner,” said Sunder. He took out his scanner but nothing appeared to have came up on it. “Hey!” He pushed the tip of his ax handle down on the scanner. “What's the deal?”

“I do not think it is gone,” whispered Renita. “I mean, I can still feel my hand.”

“Just shut it and follow my lead,” said Kevin. In a louder voice, Kevin approached Sunder. “Forget the Omnitrix. What if I told you I could get my hands on a praxian antimatter cannon for you?”

Sunder put his ax behind his back. “I'm listening,” he said.

“I got another buyer coming later, but I'd much rather do business with someone trustworthy, like you,” said Kevin leading him over to a crate.

“Skip the sales pitch,” said Sunder. “Just show me the antimatter cannon.”

Gwen snuck around to be behind Sunder. She used her mana to reach out and grip the ax. They needed to wait for the right moment to nab it. It was just as the crate was opened that Renita felt a transformation over take her. She turned into the Cerabrocrustacean. She did not understand how that happened.

“Gone, history, finito, eh?” asked Sunder as he held up his device that was beeping.

“Sunder,” said Renita. “I implore you -- do not exact vengeance upon my veracity-impaired colleague. I hereby definitively, albeit reluctantly, relinquish all claims on said Omnitrix and render it into your possession forthwith.”

She had walked up to Sunder with her hand behind her back. She moved until she was standing next to Kevin, having forced Sunder to back up. She whipped out her hand and shot an electrical shock at him. It forced Sunder back.

“I believe the vernacular is psych,” said Renita.

“You will pay for your insults,” said Sunder.

He took his ax off his back. He jumped up and his ride flew underneath his feet. He landed on it. He flew forward, he aimed his ax for Renita. Renita ducked and rolled underneath Sunder. She skidded to a stop a few feet away. She stood up to face Sunder, knowing that taunting an enemy makes them angry.

“I sincerely doubt you would display such bravado were you cognizant of your imminent encounter with the Vaxasaurian,” said Renita.

Renita transformed into the Vaxasaurian. She ripped out a streetlamp to use.

“Bring it on, tiny,” said Renita.

Sunder flew up to attack Renita with his ax. He hacked away at the streetlamp in her hand.

“I can beat you with one hand tied behind another dimension,” said Renita. “Then again, maybe I could use a hand.”

Just when Renita said that Gwen flew up in the way, blocking one of the attacks with her shield. She then started throwing her own blasts at him. That forced Sunder to back up and dodge them. Kevin jumped up and slammed a spiked ball into Sunder.

“Maybe there is strength in numbers,” said Renita. “Lots of numbers.”

She pushed the button on her chest and transformed herself into the Sonorosian. She multiplied herself and charged at Sunder. He attacked and destroyed several of the Sonorosian copies. Renita was able to surround him. She attacked with a sonar blast. It forced him to release his grip on his ax.

The ax flew away into the air. Gwen grabbed it out of the air and pulled it to her. She took it with both hands. Sunder turned to look at them.

“I don't need an ax to finish you off,” said Sunder.

He flew at them. Renita held her arms out in front of Gwen.

“Neither do we,” said Gwen.

Together, Gwen shot off a blast and Renita used a sonar blast. The combined attack knocked Sunder off his ride and back into some metal stuff in front of a warehouse. He tried to get up but fell unconscious. Renita returned to her human form. Well, the Omnitrix was out of power.

“That is it,” said Renita. “The Omnitrix needs a recharge.”

“Then we better get your hand back before he wakes up,” said Kevin.

The four of them walk into Kevin’s garage. Kevin gave the gun he apparently used to get Renita back to Julie. Renita’s hand was on a toolbox. Julie was to aim the beam at her arm where the purple glow was at. Kevin held the ax in his hand. Gwen stood off to the side, watching.

“Keep the beam fixed on Ren's arm,” said Kevin. He was moving the ax up and down as if he was trying to figure out the right way to aim it.

“What are you doing?” asked Renita.

“This shot has to be just right,” said Kevin.

“And if it's not?” asked Renita.

“Then bits of you get scattered across multiple dimensions,” said Kevin. “Don't worry. I'm pretty sure I can do this.”

“Pretty sure,” said Renita. That did that give her a lot of confidence in Kevin. Kevin was still moving it as if aiming it just right was all he wanted to do. “Will you just do it already?”

Kevin swung the ax back and hit the overhead light. It swung and smashed into stuff behind them. The stuff fell over.

“Oops,” said Kevin. “Sorry. My bad. I meant to do that. Okay. This time for real. I'm really gonna do it.”

“Oh, for the love of,” Gwen grabbed the ax.

She must have noticed something as she slammed the ax down. A bright light appeared, blinding them all for a second. When it disappeared, there was a giant pink and white vortex swirling in the air above Renita’s arm. As it disappeared, Renita’s hand re-appeared. She flexed her hand to make sure it was real.

“I am back in one piece,” said Renita.

“Told you I could do it,” said Kevin.

“I did it,” said Gwen.

“At least, I held him off single-handed,” said Renita. “Thank you for your help in that.”

“Speaking of Sunder where'd he go?” asked Julie.

“I think I saw the vortex suck him into it,” said Gwen.

“So, he’s in the Null Void,” said Kevin.

“I do not know how to feel about that,” said Renita.

“At least, you don’t have to worry about him trying to get the Omnitrix any time soon,” said Kevin.

“You are right,” said Renita. “How about we go get some smoothies? My treat.”