A Boy and his Watch
By TheAlienBrony22

The Reality Master,
Part 2

[Canterlot Castle, Unknown Chambers]

"Everything's getting warmed up, ma'am. Just a couple more minutes, and this machine will be working like a sweet dream!" One of the stallions stated, punctuating their sentence with a salute.

"The machine's at seventy-five percent of its full power, your majesty, and it shows no signs of slowing, nor stopping, ma'am!" A mare reported, saluting as she returned to her post.

Celestia stood by as the ponies kept on working to keep the machine stable, constantly getting reports and status checks on its condition. Celestia smiled and sighed, she did not miss this, but she was at least glad to know that she'd be getting back into her old occupation, long before princess hood would be a full-time thing. Though, she did worry about her sister, Luna, and her faithful student, Twilight.

'I can only hope I get him back, before things get chaotic.' Celestia thought to herself. Soon enough, the sound of the machine activating brought her to full attention, and it was time to act.

As the machine opened up, the glass warped into a full-on portal. Not many ponies in Celestia's position knew where this portal led to, but Celestia, she knew exactly where it led, and she was going to try something risky. As the portal opened up, it was beginning to get critical, guess it's been too long since it was last used. Celestia jumped into the portal without a second thought, using her magic to pull something to her side.

As the item and Celestia vanished to the other side of the portal, the machine had been shut down. It was old, ancient, and even then, it ran smoothly, but even a thousand years can cause wear and tear on such a mechanical marvel.

One of the numerous screens pinged, showing the ponies, plus the griffon, that Celestia had made it to the other side in one piece, and most importantly, alive. The hard part of the plan was done, for Celestia, at least... now, came the nigh-impossible part, finding another way out.

[Another Universe, Rust Bucket]

It was a long, extensive drive back to Bellwood, especially at night. Ben was unconscious, and Gwen was just trying to process everything she saw. It was unexpected to see anything like that, let alone know that this was where Ben was the entire time. A land of pastel-colored ponies, battling monstrous creatures and ancient legends? She knew her cousin was a hero, but even she didn't expect such threats to appear in such a cutesy little world like that. Goes to show her that looks were pretty deceiving.

Ben's unconscious body laid on the couch, unmoving, though the Omnitrix was beginning to blink its green light in slow succession.

"So, what's gonna happen if Ben wakes up?" Ken asked.

"I don't know... I can only assume that, maybe since I saw his memories, then maybe, once I'm good and ready, I can get him to see my memories. If he truly does have amnesia, then he needs to be reminded of all that he had before... Then again, if we really wanted the old Ben back, we'd have to somehow repress his new memories, and try to bring his old memories back up to the surface." Gwen explained.

"I mean, he seemed pretty adamant that he wasn't Ben Tennyson, but someone named Ben Sparkle. I'm no smarty pants, but Ben legit seems like he was tired of people calling him that, saying that it wasn't him," Lucy intervened. "Never saw him fight since the alien wedding all that time ago, so for him to suddenly wail on some guy he never met, adamantly stating that he wasn't Ben Tennyson, it almost makes me feel like this ain't memory loss, but rather brainwashing, or something remotely similar to it."

"Brainwashing? So you think someone has conditioned him to believe he's not himself?" Ken inquired.

"You really think an Amnesiac would know how to work that fancy watch on his wrist, if you were him, Kenny?" Lucy remarked flatly.

"I'm just saying that if it is Brainwashing, shouldn't he had tried something to indicate that he was brainwashed? After all, Gwen still hasn't told us what she saw in Ben's head, yet." Ken countered.

"It's not like you'd believe me, even if I told you the truth," Gwen stated, still uncertain of all she saw.

"C'mon cuz, it can't have been that bad, if Ben's still alive and kickin'!" Lucy pleaded.

Gwen sighed and tapped Ben's forehead, making her eyes glow blue as she tapped her forehead, and Ken's as well. It was but a matter of minutes as everything played out for the two, seeing Ben in this strange new world, filled with magical creatures, fighting monsters and defending bystanders from ancient legends, it all felt pretty weird.

Sooner or later, it was getting to be a bit too late, so Max pulled the RV over on the side of the road, looking on as the three looked at the unconscious Ben, that remained motionless.

[Inside the Omnitrix]

Ben groaned as he got up, only to recognize exactly where he was, and feel somewhat relieved. "Back inside the Omnitrix, huh? Well, time to talk to the forms, yet again." Ben remarked.

Ben got up and walked up the temple, watching his footing as he looked around. He noticed another new temple in the distance, with one of those new crystal guys at the ready.

'This place must recognize and register new forms for me to use. I wonder if they'll give me any clues as to how I can get back home,' Ben thought to himself. ', that is, if I'll ever be able to get back home.'

As Ben got to the top, he was once again met with the same unicorn stallion as last time, only now he was a dark blue, with a blistering bright yellow mane. Ben looked around, seeing the many transformations he had currently, then back to the stallion.

"Greetings, once more, Benjamin Sparkle. I assume we've made it to your home universe?" The stallion asked with a smile.

"If you're talking about Equestria, then no. We're in that place where Paradox decided to force me into going, after he nearly killed somepony and I think evaporated one of my allies." Ben remarked, still feeling bitter.

"So we're on Earth, fantastic! That means you can re-connect with your human family--"

"I don't have a human family, flank-for-brains!" Ben gritted. "I just want to go home to my friends, to know that my family's still there... I don't want to go back, only to see it in shambles, just because I was gone."

"Then you'll be happy to know that Equestria is fine, but Celestia is trying to find you and your whereabouts, with some rather extreme measures, I dare say," The stallion remarked, showing a portal of Celestia's current location a rock filled void of red, purples, violets, blues, pinks, and blacks. "Using a pocket dimension to traverse between universes, creative, but very time consuming."

"What in all of Tartarus is that place?" Ben asked, uncertain of what he was looking at.

"It's a pocket dimension. Known by many names to many people across different universes, but to your world, the world we were 'forced' to be in, it's known simply as, 'The Null Void'." The stallion stated grimly.

[The Null Void]

Celestia constantly flaps her wings as she bounds from one asteroid to another, keeping her horn ready as she scanned around her environment, trying to pick up on a trace of magic.

'See, in many universes, The Null Void is known by many other names, but that's a topic for another day, preferably when we aren't being yanked around like a dog on a leash--'

'Please keep on track, hoof boy. I'd like to go home EVENTUALLY!'

Celestia lands on one of the floating rocks, spotting an unsightly creature. A strange winged beast with no eyes, tentacles and a massive jaw with sharp teeth was perched on one of the asteroids, using it as some kind of nesting ground.

'Ahh, right, my apologies. Anywho, The Null Void, in your former home universe, it's used as a prison dimension for the nastiest, most feral, conniving, and unsavory criminals from all across several different galaxies.'

'Galaxies? So, basically space aliens? Is that what I've been turning into all this time?!'

'Yes and Not exactly. Sure, they are still the same transformations you had before, all basically extraterrestrials from several alien races native to your universe, but because of the Omnitrix's Adaptation Mode being activated once you ended up in Equestria, the DNA Samples of those transformations had to take on some magic-induced mutation, allowing for your transformations to live and function properly in a more magically enriched environment. Over time, the DNA Samples eventually did evolve from their mutation, physically looking more like some of the more extinct species back on Equestria that had long since been too late to save.'

Celestia carefully fluttered her wings to one of the asteroids as she tried to not disturb, nor attract the beast's attention. Unfortunately for her, the beast's mate was just coming back, and screeched once it picked up on the Alicorn's scent. She gritted her teeth and her wavy multi-colored mane suddenly began to get more and more red, and flickering like a wildfire.

'That is surprisingly upsetting. So, why did I end up Equestria, anyways?'

'Now you're asking the real questions, Sparkle. But unfortunately, I don't have the answer for that one, none of us do. But, I can tell you this, the good news about your situation is that Celestia will eventually find you, the more you use the Omnitrix in this universe, she was already on the trail when you had transformed into that Crystalsapien you just unlocked.'

'Yeah, I wanted to ask about that, too. I thought the original limit on this thing for transformations, was 10 or 12. How come I keep unlocking new guys like Heavy Hydrant, or All-Sight? And what do you mean she's tracking me?'

'Well, it's simple. Since your transformations have already evolved from their magical mutation, only brought about by the Omnitrix's Adaptation Mode, most of your transformations have a unique magical signature that the Princess has fine-tuned herself to recognizing. Even as of now, your Opticoid and Crystalsapien transformations are experiencing their magical mutations. Give it enough time, and they'll become pretty useful. As for why or how you keep unlocking new transformations, the Omnitrix's update log is still processing some strange magical back-up for the Omnitrix's back-up, so in order to make sure it still functions, it has to infuse magic with everything.'

The beast tried to tear the alicorn into pieces, only to be met by a powerful magic flamethrower, being sent back as the mate tries to intervene. Celestia rushed forward, buck kicking the beast back as both of the creatures started to back off, sheltering their eggs with their bodies.

"On any other day, I'd send you foul beasts to the pits of Tartarus for getting in my way!!" Celestia roared out, gritting her teeth. "But I am busy with trying to find someone I know, so do me a favor, and heel!!"

'So, that brings me to my next question... what even is the Omnitrix?'

'Now you're asking the real juicy questions, Sparkle. You see, The Omnitrix is a portable library of intergalactic genetic data that allows the wielder to alter their DNA at will and transform into a variety of different alien species, each with their own unique abilities. Even as we speak, the DNA Samples of your Unicorn form and your Dragon form are being uploaded to the Omnitrix's back-up as we speak. I suspect that Azmuth will have a lot to learn about Equestria and its natives.'

'So, that brings me to my second to last question... who's Azmuth?'

'Well, it's simple. Azmuth is the creator of the Omnitrix, he's basically one of the Galvans. You know your transformation, Smart Toad? Just imagine more of them running around, but one of them, they were smart enough to make that watch you're wearin'! Azmuth made the Omnitrix as a tool for peace, to allow other lifeforms to better understand each other. Heh, you know in a way, The Omnitrix kinda works like the Elements of Harmony, they both try to bring others together for peace and understanding.'

'I guess so, but it's kind of a stretch... so, my last question, it's kinda odd, and that's saying a lot coming from me.'

'Benjamin Sparkle, with all that you asked of me, nothing is too odd, let alone too much.'

'Why is Paradox so Tartarus-bent on making me remember who I was?'

Celestia continued to fly through the Null Void, bounding off of the Asteroids occasionally, still trying to follow the trail she picked up earlier.

[Inside the Omnitrix]

As the stallion closed the portal, he was suddenly quiet, almost as if he was lamenting on this question, trying to find the words to make the best possible answer, but nothing seemed to meet that criteria, at least, not yet.

"Benjamin Sparkle, next time you enter the recesses of the Omnitrix, I'll give you an answer that'll satisfy the both of us." The Stallion rebutted.

"Fair enough, I guess... but now I just have more questions," Ben paced back and forth as he recited the questions that came to mind, "Who were those people? How'd they know my name? When will Celestia find me? Do I have to worry about anything else while I'm stuck here?"

"All good questions, with very simple answers. Benjamin, those people, the ones that tried to talk with you, they are your biological family, down to the very DNA that bonds you," The stallion explained. "Humans were not but a myth, a folktale back in Equestria, hence why your sudden appearance has made things very complicated, as of late."

"Wow, way to make me sound like a real piece of work." Ben groaned flatly.

"At least you didn't live up to the stereotypes made about your kind, so that's a plus, goes to show you're a cut above the rest," The stallion reassured, "As to how these people knew your name, they always knew your name. Believe it or not, this is something you have to accept, but I'm not saying that you have to stay in this world forever, absolutely not. Equestria still needs the Elements of Harmony, and what good are the Elements if all of them aren't together?"

Ben sat in silence for a moment, letting everything sink in. He still felt a bit overwhelmed by that sudden magical surge going through him, from whatever that 'Gwen' girl did, but now that he thinks a bit more and more, Ben starts to feel a bit regretful of his actions.

"To answer the question of When Celestia will find you, it will vary, but if you keep using the Omnitrix, creating a constant output of Magic-infused Omnitrix Energy, Celestia will pick up on the trail and it'll bring her closer, and closer to finding your whereabouts. Celestia's magic has had a thousand years to get accustomed with trying new methods of tracking and navigation magicks, but for her to track someone's magic through pocket dimensions, it's never been done," Ben looked at the stallion, seeing intrigue and bewilderment on their face, "If you ask me, Alicorns are a very adept and very versatile variation of the average Equestrian... But Celestia, she's been doing things a certain way for centuries, practically for a millennia. Bottom line is, if you want her to find you sooner, keep using the Omnitrix to strengthen its magical signature."

Before Ben could ask another question, the center of the Omnitrix began to glow green, only to become a blistering white light. "It's time for you to go back, once again, Benjamin. I know it feels like you're a stranger in a new world, when the irony in that, is that you come from this world. What I mean by this is simple, try to get accustomed with this world for a little bit, then make the decision on where you wish to stay... the human world, on Earth, or back in Equestria." The stallion advised.

Ben didn't utter another word and made his way to the platform, standing onto it as it went up yet again, hearing the unexplained chants of the aliens down below. Ben had a lot to think about.

[Another Universe, Rust Bucket]

As Ben slowly awoke from his slumber, he groaned as he got up and stretched out his body, noticing that his surroundings were very unfamiliar. Ben tried to move out of the bed he was in, but it felt like his legs were restrained, despite not seeing anything holding him down.

'Oh you gotta be kidding me... Well, been a while since I used this guy, but I do still need to get out of bed,' Ben thought to himself, reaching for the Omnitrix as he selected one of the icons and pushed it down, enveloping the dark interior of the RV in a green light.

In Ben's place was a tall black and white blob-like creature with these strange green patterns all over its body, with the Omnitrix's emblem being firmly placed on the creature's head. This was the form Ben called Cyberpunk.

As Ben melted into a viscous puddle, they reformed their physical body as they slowly made their way to the door, only to see Max sitting in the driver's seat, staring off in-thought as he held some kind of bottle in his hand.

'try to get accustomed with this world for a little bit, then make the decision on where you wish to stay,' The stallion's words echoed through the alien's mind. Cyberpunk sighed and tapped the badge on his face, enveloping himself in a flash of red light as he sat in the passenger seat adjacent from where Max was sitting, unaware of what to say.

"So... Rough night for ya, sir?" Ben awkwardly asked.

Max looked at Ben, almost surprised that Ben was awake, despite the obvious flash of light earlier signifying otherwise. Max sighed and set the bottle down, staring off as traffic passed them by. "Ahh it's nothing, just wondering about a lot of things. What about you? Decide last minute that you wanted to talk to your grandpa one more time?"

"Maybe let's try to get to know each other first before we start making me a part of the family, this is all still so new to me," Ben stated, looking at himself through the rearview mirror. "I should be excited, I get to learn more about myself, about my species, where I came from, my history... but, I feel like I didn't earn this, it was just, all of a sudden, forced upon me by some mental guy in a labcoat."

"That's... rather strange, but something tells me that you have seen stranger," Max chuckled. "I remember when we first faced Zombozo, an emotion draining vampire clown. You feared clowns, but you feared losing your family more than that, and it gave you the strength to win."

"There's a lot to unpack there," Ben remarked, looking at Max. "As much as I don't know a lot about what I had done before, I feel like I need to figure this out. Not just for my sake and to satiate my own curiosity, and not just to get that labcoat-bound psycho off my case, but maybe I'll figure a few things out from here, once I remember."

There was a long silence between them, it was almost enough to mute the sound of the traffic that passed them by. But, the silence didn't last that long as a few of the cars suddenly came to a screeching stop, crashing into one another as something came into view. Max was, needless to say, worried, while Ben, was just a bit confused.

In the midst of the road, a woman has come into view. Donned in some kind of ragged stitched-up pink cloak with purple heart patterns all over it, mascara that made her purple eyes glow in the piercing darkness, and her long cascading silver hair blowing in the wind as she formed a wicked grin.

"Hey Tennyson, long time no see! Is your cousin with you, or do I get the satisfaction of knocking you around, for once?" The woman called out, her hands glowing with some kind of dark purple aura.

"Oh man... why are so many people so adamant on killing me?" Ben complained.

"Then I guess we better stop her before she gets someone hurt," Max placed a hand on Ben's shoulder and looked him in the eyes. "Listen to me, Ben, It's Hero Time. Find an alien you can use and follow my lead."

Ben's eyes widened a bit, and for a brief moment, something came to him. Those three words, they ricocheted around in his head constantly, gaining more and more momentum, till something finally came to him. A smirk formed on Ben's face as he followed Max outside, activating the Omnitrix as he turned it to one of his more preferable transformations.

'Let's see... from how this crazy lady's dressed, she has to be some kind of novice magic-user. If I'm gonna beat her, I'm gonna show her some real razzle dazzle, good thing I know just the guy with a hoof in the right direction,' Ben strategized mentally.

Max pulled out this small firearm-like weapon, with some kind of glass bulb at the end of it, aiming it at the woman. "Charmcaster, surrender now, or this will end poorly for you." Max warned.

The woman, known as Charmcaster, simply laughed and cackled as she lifted several of the cars up into the air, "How about you learn to stay in your lane, or just get off the road, old man!" Charmcaster gritted.

The vehicles were then flung towards Ben and Max, and in a flash of light, Ben had transformed into Warlock Trot, making his horn glow as he caught the cars just in time, setting them down as the people inside them fled the scene in a panic.

Max and Charmcaster looked at Ben, shocked as a unicorn stallion was in his place, grinning with a look of determination. "Oh that was precious. I know I can be a bit of a fool when it comes to magic myself, but I'm about to enjoy pushing my own capabilities against some arrogant novice!"

'I have so many questions... but that can wait.' Max thought to himself, snapping himself out of his train of thought as he readied his weapon.

"This... this has to be some kind of trick, what is that!?" Charmcaster gritted as she began throwing balls of dark purple energy at the stallion. Warlock Trot's grin suddenly got wider as he ran forward, casting a shield spell around himself as he tanked the attacks head-on, only to redirect that shield spell into a minor attack spell, firing his own magical blasts at the witch. Charmcaster started to keep her distance, evading the magical attacks as she kept trying to land a blow, only for it to be countered, getting closer and closer to her. "No!! This isn't happening. You got lucky with some new transformation, how are you this good already?! This-- This shouldn't be possible! Gwen was the only one who had magic, now you?!"

"Lady, I've had Warlock Trot for a good few years and practiced in my spare time, whether on my own, on common crooks, or with my brother Shining! Face the facts at full throttle, you lanky-legged newbie," Warlock Trot then slammed one of his front hooves upward, hitting the sorceress in the jaw with an uppercut as she skidded across the road. Charmcaster tried to get up, only to see the stallion towering over her. "Your arrogance has hindered you, I can tell. Your potential is very staggered by your issues, not just with others, but with yourself."

Charmcaster was thrown off her guard, not expecting such a strange response, let alone a critique on her skills as a magic user. She immediately reeled her fist back to punch the stallion, only for her fist to come into contact with the shield spell the stallion cast.

"You have a lot of promise to use your magic and your knowledge to be an excellent sorceress, yet you remain a novice because of your grudges, your desire for petty revenge, it's more so hindering your progress not just as a sorceress, but as a magic-user in the general aspect of things," The stallion continued, helping the woman to her feet. "You constantly want to prove that you can use magic to its greatest possible peak of potential, but that's the problem. Magic does not end in one linear path, there's numerous ways you can go, whether it be Necromancy, Healing Magic, mastering the innate magic of the elements that are bound to nature, and yet, you're more focused solely on being strong."

"You act like that's a bad thing, and it isn't!!" Charmcaster lashed out, trying to blast the stallion with several beams of magic, only for her magic to have no effect on the shield. "You think I'm just gonna give up, because of a few words that just mean nonsense?! Don't make me laugh, Tennyson, because I will be the strongest sorceress, and if it means getting rid of you, and your stupid cousin, then I'll turn you to ash!!"

"I don't act like it's a bad thing, because it isn't necessarily a bad thing, if you know what you're doing. Something you clearly have no idea about," Warlock Trot walked through the magical beam, focusing all of his magic to keep his shield up as he spoke, "Take it from me, Charmcaster. As someone who doesn't know who you are anymore, considering I never knew you to begin with, your grudges no longer hold any discernable weight for your goal to solely be strong. I don't know a single thing about you, or these people who claim I'm someone else. I didn't let that stop me from doing what I do best. Doing what's right, no matter what, with the gift I have, to have so much power, yet I only use it when I feel the situation calls for it. I know so little about myself, but I can at least make an effort, let alone an attempt to learn, and who knows, maybe I will remember who I used to be. Besides, I don't mean to be rude, but compared to the things I've seen, this is a valiant effort to show your strength, despite your hinderances."

Max was impressed by Ben's strategy, though he was wondering why he was trying to talk her down. Though, to Max's surprise, it seemed to somehow be working.

Charmcaster's anger was fading, becoming more exhausted, uncertain. She's been letting the unicorn's words seep into her mind, making her think about everything that's transpired in the last few years of her own life. She's constantly thinking as she keeps listening to the unicorn, who is now within grabbing distance of her.

"I've faced an eldritch monster that was trying to take everything I knew away from me. I faced a one thousand year old legend alongside my friends, and brought the daylight back. What do those two events have in common?" The stallion asked, looking at the woman. She didn't have an answer, but her constant pouring of magic into her blast was lessening in power and stability. "The answer is simple. My friends had my back when things got rough, and I had theirs when things escalated. If it wasn't for my friends believing in me, I would've just given up, and everything would've been lost. If I hadn't stood by my friends when Nightmare Moon came back, just to plunge Equestria into eternal night for all eternity, I can only shudder at what kind of fate would've befallen so many innocent lives."

Soon enough, Charmcaster clenched her eyes shut as she collapsed onto her knees, the magical beam dissipating completely as the aura faded from her hands. Charmcaster felt empty.

"Case in point, you were exerting far more magical energy than your body was used to. I was doing the same, just to withstand your attack, but the difference is that I took the time to refine this strength, and perfect certain spells. My plan was to let you exhaust yourself so we could properly talk, and judging by how drained you look, I'd say my plan worked out without a hitch. Look at me, Charmcaster," Charmcaster looked at the stallion, defeated and uncertain. In a flash of red light, the stallion was replaced by the same human that was before her moments ago. "I don't personally feel like I'm Ben Tennyson, I feel like Ben Tennyson wouldn't have been able to do any of this if he didn't have the drive. My name, is Benjamin Sparkle, and as a chance to make amends, on behalf of the guy I used to be, I'd like to start over."

Max walked over, reaching into one of his pockets to grab something, only for Ben to hold out his hand in a stopping motion. Max was apprehensive, but he stopped, looking down at the woman with caution.

Ben held out his other hand for a handshake, smiling as he expected the sorceress to return the gesture. Everything about what just happened just threw Charmcaster for a loop. This wasn't the Ben she fought on occasion all that time ago, clearly not. In an attempt to flee, Charmcaster grabbed some kind of strange pebble from her bag and threw it to the ground, enveloping her in smoke. As it cleared, she was gone.

"She got away, but she couldn't have gone far. I'll go get Gwen and we can still--"

"Let her go." Ben uttered.

Max nearly tripped over himself upon hearing that, and just looked at Ben, uncertain of what he just heard. "She's not a danger, she's just hurting. I'm not sure what came over me, but wow... I really could've handled that better instead of just immediately trying to fight." Ben explained, rubbing his head as he winced.

'Man, that felt incredibly painful... note to self, don't try to overuse multiple spells at once. Really bad headaches will occur.' Ben thought to himself. He got up to his feet and followed Max back to the Rust Bucket, ready to just get some sleep.

[Unknown Warehouse]

"When is little miss hocus pocus gonna get back already, she was supposed to be 'ere hours ago!" A voice called out in irritation.

A woman paced from side to side, playing with some kind of small blade. Her skin was pale white, and her hair, red, spiky, and wavy, like a forever scarlet colored fire was blissfully resting atop her head. She was decked out in some sort of gray armor with red bulbs bulging out of the shoulders.

"Give Charmcaster time, Rojo. Honestly, you're more uptight than that psychotic old geek when he hasn't taken his meds." A deeper gruff voice called out.

Resting against a wall was a more heavily built man, examining what looked like a crystal arm on his body, only to suddenly ignite it in a blistering red flame. Their long black hair obscured their face, but there was a notable X shaped scar on their chin. They wore what looked like a torn up prison jumpsuit, with a white tank top underneath, only now, the jumpsuit was painted completely black with the sleeves torn off.

"She better get here soon, otherwise we're doin' this heist without 'er and her fancy schmancy magic tricks. And don't get soft on me, either, Levin." Rojo sneered, pulling out a sword from her side.

"Don't call me freak, and call me Kevin, and we have a deal. I can start being not soft by putting a crystal in-between your eyes," Kevin remarked, smirking as he aimed his crystalized arm at Rojo. "Just try to stay perfectly still--"

Before the two could make any sudden movements, Charmcaster reappeared, looking exhausted, and very uncertain of what just transpired.

"We have a big problem," Charmcaster screamed out in a panic. "We have to call off the heist!"

"Like hell we are, sneaking beauty," Rojo grabbed Charmcaster by the neck and looked at her. "Where the hell have you been!?"

"And why do you look like you just got out of a fight?" Kevin interjected, getting in-between Rojo and Charmcaster. "I'm all for you showing some backbone, it's about time, but what's got you so spooked? You look like you've seen a ghost!"

"That's because, in a way, I did. You'll never guess who I ran into, you ready?" Charmcaster asked.

"Just spit it out already, we got stuff to do tonight!" Rojo gritted impatiently, "I'm not callin' this heist off, after nearly three years of plannin', for nobody! No way and definitely no how!"

"Cool your jets, Ro, it's not gonna be called off, go get ready and I'll listen to what she has to say," Kevin stated. Rojo groaned and walked off to some board with plans hung up on it. Kevin turned his attention to Charmcaster, looking curious. "Tell me, who'd you run into?"

"Look at your arm and take a wild guess." Charmcaster stated.

Kevin looked unfazed, but he did seem rather intrigued. "Are you sure it was him?"

"He transformed, and definitely looked a little different, but it's hard to miss that watch on his wrist," Charmcaster began to pace, looking panicked. "It's been so long since we had to deal with him, now he just shows up out of the blue, and he's just as strong as ever! He's got a new form with him too, and it knows magic! He outplayed me!! We're gonna get sent back to jail, I can't go back to jail, they're prepared to take all of my tricks away this time!"

"What're you talkin' about?" Rojo intervened. "If you're thinkin' about wussin' out on this heist, then tough luck, you're with us and I'm givin' the orders."

"You don't understand, Ben Tennyson is back. How long has it been since any of us fought him!?" Charmcaster rebutted. Rojo and Kevin looked at each other, then back at the sorceress. "Usually, it'd be his small little family that stops us, and we can get out of that fairly well, they were unorganized. But now that he's back, we might have an actual problem! How do you two not recognize that this could be catastrophic? Everything we worked for, all of our plans, our heist, we have to do everything over and account for his involvement!"

"While you might be right on that front, we don't have time. The heist is tonight, and we're gonna get that fancy artifact if it's the last thing we ever do!" Rojo stated, poking the picture of said artifact. "Both of you, get in the van! We're going. Now."

Kevin wasted no time climbing into the back of a beat-up van, though Charmcaster was complacent, she was worried that this plan of theirs might just falter. Rojo sat up front and started the van, setting the picture of the artifact in the empty seat.

The artifact itself looked like some kind of copper and quartz statue. It looked like a man wearing some kind of garb, shrieking with mortal terror in his eyes. In one of his hands, there seemed to be a pocket watch, and in the other, was a cane.

Rojo smirked as she slammed on the gas pedal, putting the van into Drive. "Next stop, Bellwood Museum of Historical Anomalies."

Author's Note

This is taking a complete turn from the usual, and I like it.

Part 3 will be out sooner, later, and/or eventually.

Also, Post Published Edit: Part 3 may be a bit more lengthy, just so I can get the original story back on track in the Epilogue.