Its ears twitching while it looked through the night, the Loboan pointed to the faraway spaceship in the forest.

Ever since Ben got a new form, that he had called "Benwolf" for lack of a better name, he was excited to use it. When the Omnitrix got scratched and Ben was transforming, he almost thought he'd become a werewolf. His bodyguards took him aside while Gwen and Kai were busy with their Grandpas, and they told him that, in fact, he was becoming a new alien.

He was a Loboan, an alien from Luna Lobo, a moon from the same solar system as Ghostfreak, though they had no idea why the alien who unlocked that sample stole technology and why it was harming innocent villagers nearby. He was told Anur aliens hated outsiders for some reason, which Sixsix suggested could've been the one time Galvans teleported the entirety of Anur Transyl into the Null Void, the prison dimension Phil was trapped in at the moment.

Ben wasn't sure he wanted to know what it was like in there, but he hoped the Yenaldooshi was buried and snoring under all those rocks. At least, he liked being in his new form, though he wished he could've heard about the Omnitrix's sampling methods sooner. Who knows, he could've turned into his latest aliens sooner, Master Control or not. He also wished to see if the slow transformation applied whenever his watch got scratched.

He wondered if his dad would've let him become a Chimeran that way... Who knows what he would've looked like as a hybrid?

Sixsix and Kraab seemed amused enough by his antics, he had been jumping around trees and scaring off wild animals while doing so. Their liege was much more energetic, much stronger, much more dangerous with every adventure that passed.

They had to stop themselves from asking Ben about his crush on the Kai girl. Who knows how Vilgax would take it if his son was enamored with another human...

Though she did seem to prefer his alien forms over his human one. Ben felt offended that she'd prefer taming him like a beast over liking him as a crush. Seems she took the words 'puppy crush' too literally, it was understandable that Ben wouldn't be interested in talking about her for a while.

"Here he is." excitedly growled Benwolf, wagging his tail.

The Omnitrix beeped and he timed out before he could do anything.

"Oh come on! I wanted to show him this new guy!"

"He will be glad to see it when the Omnitrix recharges, young master. Reaching the ship's main room will take enough time to do so." advised Kraab.

"Fine." pouted Ben as they walked through the Chimerian Hammer's entrance. "Let's get going, then."

..............................................................................................................................

The night was cold, he was freezing.

This wasn't anything new, he was used to living on the streets. But it had been a while since he was himself again, no alien skin to warm him up.

Kevin grumbled as he munched on an already half-bitten, stale-tasting hot dog. He didn't have the alien powers anymore, he couldn't take money from banks and public places anymore. Back to looking around for food and pickpocketing again, at least until he found a way back to New York.

Or until he found where Tennyson was hiding.

It pissed him off that Vilgax drained him from all his powers, except for his absorption abilities. What did he get from doing that? Why did he do that? Did he lie to Kevin when he told him he hated the Tennyson family too? Kevin couldn't even remember what Vilgax said before they fought properly, all he got was a headache for trying.

He must've rubbed the guy's tentacles the wrong way, it was expected with him. Kevin never had the same talent in sucking-up like kids as school did, he still caused trouble to this day. Nobody would even want to team up with a freak anyway.

He would.

He didn't know what he did to get backstabbed like that, but it must've been worth it. He always knew how to get a good deal first time he took stuff from other people. From kindergarten to running away from Bellwood, he always got everyone with a trick. If they were tricked once, shame on him for being a genius. If they were fooled twice, shame on them for being dumb.

He was somewhere in New Jersey, it'd take about a day of walk to reach New York again and teach the jerks who probably thought he was gone for good a lesson. Too bad he couldn't go alien anymore.

Tennyson needed a lesson too, Kevin would get those powers back no matter what. He may have had trouble with last time, but now he got better at absorbing stuff. He didn't even know he could absorb matter. It could be useful, he could absorb Tennyson's wrist and take the Omnitrix from him, before tearing him down in pieces.

He intimidated people and got them to comply, that's how he did it with the Megacruiser's aliens. They were probably partying with him being kidnapped by Vilgax, and they probably all went back to their planets. As for him, he had to look for a way to get back to town quick, he didn't need Tennyson's powers anyway.

He didn't need Tennyson, or his stupid Omnitrix, if that was what it was called.

He liked being your friend, he wouldn't hurt you like you did.

Seriously, what was wrong with Tennyson? Playing hero? Who cared, powers are meant to be used for fun and getting what he wants, it went to waste when a goody two-shoes had them.

He'd show Tennyson if he got the occasion, he'd show him what it's like when you mess with a freak.

He never meant to lose you, you did it on your own.

He spent all his time chasing Ben around, trying to steal that Omnitrix for himself, show everyone what he was made of. Good, they all deserved to get kicked in the butt, everyone made fun of him for being a mutant. Everyone always thought he had problems and that he needed to "get fixed". Yeah right, that's what they all say before making fun of him, using him and humiliating him.

Ben didn't.

He never had to rely on anyone but himself, Tennyson would pay for mocking him like that. At least, he was better than him using powers, he didn't need a timeout. It sucked that he was stuck as an alien for weeks, but he bet Tennyson wished to have that.

He'd never make you a monster on purpose.

It was Ben's fault, case in point. He had to act like the 'bigger person' and give him the 'hero talk'. He was getting it coming.

He always meant to become friends with you.

He'd show him, he'd show him when he'd-

"I'm sorry, Kevin."

Kevin blinked.

"W... what?"

He must've been imagining things, Tennyson couldn't have been there.

"I really thought we would've worked well together. I'm sorry you had to become a freak because of me."

He felt he was starting to lose it. "Get out of my head, Tennyson!"

"Your powers were already cool, I thought we could be a duo of heroes, teaming up and combining what we got to be invincible."

"Stop it right now!"

"I'm sorry I made things more complicated, I know what it's like to have everyone see you as a freak."

"You know nothing! Shut up! Shut up!" he shouted, to no one.

"If I could, I'd do everything in my power to fix you up."

He shook his head. He was losing it. He was alone, this was just the aftermath. Tennyson didn't know what it was to be like him, he was driving him crazy, he never said that.

"I'm sorry things have to be this way, I'm sorry."

Kevin shouted as he gave a punch to the wall behind him.

He was alone. He was always alone. No one was there, he was still on his own. He didn't have anyone with him, he wasn't fighting anyone. Just himself.

"What... WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?!"

..............................................................................................................................

"There's a whole galaxy full of horror movie monsters?! Cool!"

"Anur residents inspired most of Earth's folklore about mythical creatures and stories they tell to scare children." explained Vilgax. "Humans assumed those species were their own people deformed, for lack of a better explanation."

"And now, wackos like Animo are trying to make their own monsters. Pfft, he doesn't even know there's already a bunch of aliens looking like that." 'Man, I really want to see that! Don't think I could without Vilgax getting me to leave Earth for good though...'

Vilgax was surprised Ben was that curious about the Anur alien species, even if forcefully turning into one must've caught his attention well. Usually, that part of the galaxy was much feared and disliked, but Ben seemed fascinated with it. Surely enough, Max Tennyson hadn't studied enough to know about Loboans to talk to Ben about them, or recognize one when he saw one. And it seemed the other Plumber they worked with had no idea either.

He however was suspicious of Ben's behavior when they did talk about that Plumber, Wes Green. Or rather, when Ben mentioned something about his granddaughter. Something in his son's attitude and body language threw him a few years in the past. When he had been asked a certain question about Idraxx, one he had trouble answering.

Ben might've been human, but he undoubtedly replicated the facial expressions and tone Vilgax himself had used in his youth. At least this girl appreciated Ben's non-human side more, though he disliked the way she declared his human form inferior. This wasn't the way he wanted Ben to let go of his humanity.

"Has any other alien species attacked you or threatened to take the Omnitrix?"

"Hm? No, not exactly... Actually, Charmcaster tried to take away the Omnitrix a few days ago. She almost did... but she wasn't the one who got it." Ben scratched his head uncomfortably at the memory. "She tried to swap bodies with me to power her spells with the aliens. She did... with me and Gwen."

Vilgax's eyes widened. "What?!"

"Yeah... First time, she almost got me, but she swapped bodies with Gwen instead. And now, Gwen keeps her spellbook. I think she wants to start using magic, she's the only one without cool gadgets or experience." said Ben. "Second time, though... She got me again, and Gwen got in to get her body back. Charmcaster was back into her body, but Gwen and I weren't."

"So that girl momentarily had access to the Omnitrix's power..." hummed Vilgax. "Did she notice anything she shouldn't have while she used your body?"

"No, she didn't see my birthmark. But she did say my clothes smelled like a dirty fish tank." he answered, rolling his eyes.

"You should be more careful with this kind of people. It's already bad enough that that hypnotist forced you to enact his plan, we don't need another trickster getting his hands on it."

Ben nodded, uncomfortably recalling how he acted in Gwen's video footage. When Sublimino had told him to be an alien, Ben suddenly started insulting everyone, acting like everyone was beneath him. And then, he used the watch and turned into Grey Matter (he still had the feeling that wasn't who he was planning to turn into).

It was a good thing Gwen intervened and pushed him away before they all noticed. Sublimino and everyone else assumed Ben was "alienating" himself when he did that. Ben made sure to give Sublimino a piece of his own mind when Buzzshock electrocuted him and blew up his stupid watches.

No one else was allowed to ruin his aliens' reputation but himself, and hypnotizing him into doing so was cheating.

"Say, Ghostfreak couldn't control me when I was an alien. Can he control only humans or can he control other aliens? Could he control you?"

"That 'Ghostfreak' you speak of wasn't able to control your alien forms because of the Omnitrix tampering with it. My body is naturally immune to his powers thanks to the enhancements my body got and my training, while the Omnitrix is what's protecting you. He was too used to your human body taking his appearance, any other form could not genetically allow him to reach your mind and possess you. That includes your Chimeran form."

"Huh, if I need to go hero without timing out, I'll know what to do, thanks!"

Ben felt Vilgax wanted him to use his other form more, and he didn't really mind. He hadn't said a word about his future self, who knows what it might change. He did remember how his future self dressed more like Vilgax, and even stayed in his Chimeran form for a while.

He wondered how Vilgax would look if he was human. Probably like Ben 10,000 did, but taller, with a rougher face, more wrinkles (probably from frowning so much), red eyes and a darker armor. Vilgax would probably be disgusted at the idea of becoming human, so Ben wouldn't ask for his opinion.

"Don't you think it's kinda weird that two aliens from the same planet or part of the galaxy or whatever, both attack me just a few weeks apart? Think they're in the same league?" Ben asked.

"Hmm, it is possible that Loboan worked with the Ectonurite trapped inside the Omnitrix. But it seems the Ectonurite had his own agenda. If they worked together, the Loboan you call Yenaldooshi must've been an underling."

"But why isn't he just attacking me instead, if I killed his boss? Why did he even steal all that technology? Is he preparing an invasion?"

"You might be onto something." frowned Vilgax. "While I doubt he could make a portal from here to Anur, it is possible for him to contact someone out of this planet. However, we have to know who that Ectonurite was and what role he has on Anur Transyl."

"What role could he have? Beside being a bad guy, of course."

"Ectonurites are the political leaders of the Anur System. They used their powers to become the leaders of every planet in the system, with the exception of Anur Vladias."

"Why's that?"

"Anur Vladias is completely inhabitable, anything coming nearby would subsequently die. And while Ectonurites are close to ghost and specters, they aren't immortal and will die if they get near that planet."

"So, even the aliens that look like dead monsters can't always survive... What alien can survive everything?"

"No species is invincible, they all have their strengths and weaknesses. Which is why the Omnitrix is coveted by so many. All the powers, of almost every species in the galaxy, in one device. You must acquire that power and never let it fall in the wrong hands."

Ben nodded. "So if Ghostfreak was someone important, he could rally a lot of people to obey to him and do his dirty job. Talk about a possessive and entitled jerk, he wasn't that competent when he was stuck in the watch. He definitely can't do this alone. What should I do if I meet his henchmen?"

"As always. Teach them a lesson and show them what happens when they dare get in your way." he maliciously advised. "You already know how to make yourself clear, show those fools of the night they shouldn't mess with the power of a future king."

Ben smiled. While he wasn't fully comfortable with the idea of becoming Vilgaxia's next ruler, he couldn't help but bask in the feeling that someday, he'd be the leader of an entire planet, an entire species. He would become all powerful, and Vilgax kept feeding that feeling. He couldn't resist wanting all that power to himself.

Max always taught him to restrain himself and do what's right, but Vilgax's advice felt right too. He was able to kick villain butts straight to the hospital with his powers, he was able to save more people, he could still be a hero. Holding back all this time made him feel like an animal in cage.

Speaking of which, he hoped the Christmas village they went to got its damage fixed after everyone was brought back to normal. Gwen had lectured him about destroying the place, and frankly, Ben felt he had to get that out of his system. Max had been kidnapped to become Santa Claus, he didn't care what the problem was with wrecking the "evil Christmas spirit" that day.

He had to admit, he almost lost it when Sixsix grew green elves ears on his head, sticking out of his helmet. That was so hilarious he and Kraab almost gave away where the Sotoraggian was hiding during the adventure. He felt Sixsix was glaring at his partner when they left, especially since Kraab's big lack of organs prevented him from turning into an elf too.

"You know, I realize it just now, but Gwen is kinda right. Your entire ship kinda smells like a fish tank when I think about it. I mean, it's not as bad as I thought, and she just thinks I've been using Ripjaws too much. But, why's that?" asked Ben. "You don't need water to breathe. Do you have a big aquarium somewhere around?"

"The humidity in here recreates the natural environment of our planet. This way, I'm never too uncomfortable before leaving for a mission. You could say it's like I carry a piece of home with me." explained Vilgax. "It's also good for my pets. They can be very hungry sometimes, and if I have to feed them, it's better if they're in the right living conditions."

"Wait... you got pets in here? Like, a dog or a cat?"

Vilgax tilted his head. "Did I never show them to you?" Ben shook his head no. "Hmm, there's a first time for everything. Come with me." he said as they both got up.

..............................................................................................................................

He just had to walk a few miles, and he'd be out of Grover's Mill soon. It was hard finding a ride during the night, he had to sneak into the back of many farmers' trucks and run before he was caught.

People around here really needed to invest in more lights. It was really dark, and he needed to recharge his energy powers.

The life around here seemed so dull, he almost thought of burning down a few fields, see the farmers freak out. They couldn't really blame a kid for a fire, could they? Too bad he wasn't Heatblast, would've been more fun to see them freak out in front of a burning dude.

Maybe the diamond alien could've helped cutting down the tall grass, he could've left circles behind and make people believe it was aliens who did it. Not that they'd be wrong for once.

His thoughts were interrupted when someone crossed the road, running past him in a hurry.

Kevin blinked and looked at where he saw the silhouette hide. It looked like a kid, probably younger than him. Why was he taking a walk at night this late?

He heard a car coming, and was surprised to see it was a police car. Did the kid run away from home?

Like him?

The car stopped, and an officer came out. He walked towards Kevin holding a chart.

"Hey kid, have you seen this kid around here?" asked the man, holding a picture of a young African-American boy with short black hair.

"Don't think I saw anyone tonight." answered Kevin.

"If you do, contact us immediately."

"Why? What did he do?" asked Kevin.

"He's been stealing food supplies from every farm around for the last few weeks. Call us if you ever see him."

"Sure." lied Kevin.

"Hold on." said another voice. A man with a cowboy hat, probably the sheriff, came out of the car. "What are you doing here this late?"

"Hmm? Just taking a walk while my parents are off having a romantic dinner. Why?"

"You seem too young to be allowed out on your own. What's your address?" asked the sheriff.

"They told me I shouldn't talk to strangers."

"The police is a stranger to nobody. Unless..." the sheriff glared, to which Kevin glared back. "You're a hooligan working with him."

Kevin paused. He looked at the options he had.

There were guns in their pockets, tasers, and it seemed they had a rifle